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RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

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CUISINES
British
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, After-hours
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meals, features
Reviews (775)
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Reviewed yesterday

Very welcoming staff greeted you when entering the cafe, which had superb views over the Axe Valley. A carafe of water was brought to the table without asking for it. Hot chocolate had full flavour taste and was perfect to go with Hot Cross Bun...and Fruit Scone.More

Date of visit: March 2024
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Reviewed 10 February 2024

I'm really conflicted writing this review. We came for one of the evening events having been to these about three times before (and absolutely loving them). We were really looking forward to it based on previous visits but felt it didn't quite hit the mark....Having been before we had been used to the staff and then tractor that would meet you in the car park to take you down to the venue but unfortunately they don't run the tractor anymore. Great shame as that was a great part of the experience. In fact there was no one there to meet us at all. Us and the other couple in the car park went back through our email to see what we needed to do...follow a path which actually then ends and walk through a very muddy slippery field! This had no lighting so out came the phone torches. It was awful. How I didn't face plant I have no idea! Finally the muddy wet field joined the actual track. Why hadn't they just instructed us to walk the whole length of the track instead of the muddy slippery field? We were passed a couple of times by an old 4x4 type car. We then realised and later found out that this vehicle meets you at the top to take you down! We had no idea of this, there was no one at the top to inform us of this either. We were all gutted that we were already muddy and could have avoided it. We went to the yurt where we were greeted with much needed beautiful Mulled Cider, a fantastic little soup and a canapé. After this we all walked down to the venue for the main food event. This was vastly quieter than the previous 3 visits we had had here. Maybe a sign of the times? Who knows, but about half the amount of people. The food was nice and tasty, but not amazing like we had had on previous visits. Some of the combinations worked but we personally felt some didn't. For example the artichoke sticky toffee pudding. As expected it was small portions. This was expected as that's the type of thing it is and we have no issue with that but we felt sure we had had more on previous visits. We left a little hungry which we hadn't done before. We also seemed to remember that we used to get coffee at the end but not this time although there was a warming brandy (?) type drink? Not that those of us driving could have it so it would have been nice to have had something else. Also seem to remember that a member of staff would come out at the end to thank us all for coming, hope we had enjoyed our night etc etc. But not this time. We were all left sort of wondering what to do, if we needed to wait for anything etc. We did manage to make use of the 4x4 on the way back up to the car park luckily. All in all we would say it wasn't as good as previous visits. The previous visits were well worth the price as it was always such an experience. I'm just not quite sure this time really hit the mark for money.More

Date of visit: February 2024
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 26 January 2024 via mobile

We live local to RC Kitchen and this has been yet another disappointing visit - this time we didn’t even get to enjoy coffee and cake! We had checked that the RC Kitchen was open, and headed out on our walk there (approx 3.5 miles)...looking forward to brunch. When we arrived there was a notice stuck to the front door stating that it was a meet and greet with Hugh himself this morning, (26th January 2024) offering free T&C and cake - lovely we thought…its a super sunny chilly day and we can sit outside and enjoy the view with a nice cappuccino and cake and even maybe say Hallo to Hugh. Unfortunately, yet again, upon arrival it was a chilly welcome with at least 5 members of staff standing at the coffee counter, Hugh chatting to some customers and no-one coming over to welcome us. Once someone did finally come over, the lack of welcome was a little frustrating but when we were told that there were no tables available yet there were at least 20 seats outside on the deck overlooking the beautiful Ax Views and in full winter sun, we were pretty taken aback. So asking if we could sit outside the answer was unfortunately not, I explained that we were happy to buy our coffee and cake so we could sit outside as we weren’t aware of the event (even though it clearly stated on the door anyone could “drop in” and no reservations were needed) but that was also met with a non committal statement that we could ‘mingle’ and have cake and coffee in the RC Kitchen even though there was no where to sit…..We decided to leave. What is most frustrating is that there is no empowerment for the staff at all - this isn’t the first time we have visited and had extremely poor service - previously with my mother and her partner where it took forever to get our coffee and scones and sandwich, the waitress said “I am sorry, I really feel that we havent given you our attention - even though we were sitting at the table right in front of the kitchen!”. The fact that she actually voiced it to us was shocking in itself, and then to do nothing to apologise further was an insult in itself. But again, due to the RC Kitchen being local we thought we would give it another go as we were hoping to try the new seasonal menu, as for the past two years its been pretty much the same menu so in the hope that this was being revamped and potentially that the service would be better - esp with Hugh being there today, we were greatly disappointed and this has confirmed that we wont be visiting again and will not recommend it again either. Coming from 30 years of 5 Star hospitality background, my husband and I both know that taking care of the customer comes first every time, its not difficult to train staff and empower them to give great service and be able to think and solve problems themselves - its down to good management role modelling and a management team that take the time to teach, support and give feedback to the team to ensure that the establishment is not resting on its famous owners laurels. Such a shame as its local and our ethos is to support local. But not at the sacrifice of continual poor service and poor customer service.More

Date of visit: January 2024
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
events River Cottage, General Manager at River Cottage HQ, responded to this reviewResponded 29 January 2024

Dear SarahJaneMcGrath Thank you for taking the time to write your review, I am very sorry and saddened that you feel we let you down. As you state, the day you chose to visit us was indeed a ‘Meet and Greet Hugh’ event and as...More

Reviewed 17 November 2023 via mobile

We are long time fans of the show.As fans to stay/experience staying in the Cottage was excellent.But describing where we stayed-the master ensuite bedroom as in a B and B is a bit misleading.Certainly the ingredients for our breakfast were provided but to access a...provided cooked breakfast would have required a 15 minute walk up from the Cottage to the Shop/Cafe.And on 2 days of our stay the Shop was closed .Perhaps different if we’d had a 4 wheel drive.On arrival also it appeared they weren’t really ready for us.Both jams were almo empty and the front door key we were given was the w wrong key.On complaint though these items were promptly fixed.So excellent if you’re a fan not so if you’re notMore

Date of visit: November 2023
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
events River Cottage, General Manager at River Cottage HQ, responded to this reviewResponded 23 November 2023

Dear Brian B Thank you for writing your review, I am very sorry to read that you found some aspects of your stay disappointing and I can assure you these points will be discussed by those concerned. I am however pleased that we were able...More

Reviewed 14 November 2023

The staff were very friendly and helpful and views stunning. If only the food had been the same. We took friends from France and we’ve been looking forward to it for ages. Very random menu where it seemed breakfast and lunch dishes were mixed up...in one menu with not much choice of either. We didn’t expect an extensive menu however we did expect a decent lunch menu. Two of us had smoked haddock kedgeree which was delicious, however lacked very much smoked haddock! Dessert choices were cake of the day or affogato (made with yoghurt ice cream) three of us chose cake of the day which had obviously been sitting around for some time and was very dry and the outside bits couldn’t be eaten, it would have been slightly better with a bit of cream or ice-cream!! .However they make very good coffee!! We all felt that the place was trading on the celebrity name and we wouldn’t go back or recommend it. I’ve given the two points for the friendliness of the staff and stunning views.More

Date of visit: November 2023
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
events River Cottage, General Manager at River Cottage HQ, responded to this reviewResponded 23 November 2023

Dear JandM2308 Thank you for writing your review, I am very sorry to read that you did not enjoy your recent visit to our Kitchen and Stores. We do of course value all feedback from our visitors and guests and we use it to further...More

Reviewed 28 October 2023

I went here last month as well and I hated the meatballs and my kids didn’t like the macaroni cheese - this time the scones fell apart when cut and the members of our group that had the brownie left it as there was a...flavour of soil and vinegar. Feels a little like they have let the quality go. Staff are great but pricy hence the extra starMore

Date of visit: October 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
events River Cottage, General Manager at River Cottage HQ, responded to this reviewResponded 23 November 2023

Dear Petetaylormusic We really appreciate you taking the time to write a review for us, I was sad to read that unfortunately you did not enjoy the food during your visit. I am however encouraged by your positive comments concerning the quality of our front...More

Reviewed 23 October 2023

Long table Sunday lunch was a real treat. Lovely food great atmosphere and excellent service. Leisurely service added to the overall atmosphere of relaxed dining. Dietary requirements were seamlessly catered for. Nice to meet other guests, there were 45 in total. The surroundings are beautiful...and the views from the farm are spectacular across the Devon countryside. If you have any accessibility issues make sure you tell them in advance as there is quite a steep walk to get to the barn for the lunch venue, they have a land rover service to assist any guest with difficulties.More

Date of visit: October 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
events River Cottage, General Manager at River Cottage HQ, responded to this reviewResponded 23 November 2023

Dear frankp783 Thank you for writing your review and for such kind comments. I was so pleased to read that you enjoyed your lunch here with us at RCHQ. The ‘Long Table Lunch’ held in our barn is always very popular with guests but please...More

Reviewed 13 October 2023 via mobile

Saved the best till last! Visited on our last day, and didn’t have very high hopes after listening to some of the locals, so glad we ignored them and took a chance. Friendly, attentive service in a beautiful location. We both opted for different breakfasts....I had the sour dough, with poached eggs, bacon and sausage and my partner had the kedgeree. Both were delicious. Was the breakfast expensive at £40 for two of us with drinks, maybe?! But it was served piping hot, the ingredients were of an amazing quality and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks for a lovely couple of hours.More

Date of visit: October 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
events River Cottage, General Manager at River Cottage HQ, responded to this reviewResponded 23 November 2023

Dear jenefars78 Thank you for writing your review, its great to hear you enjoyed your breakfast during your recent visit to our Kitchen and Stores. Sean Smith

Reviewed 8 October 2023

Started with the lady very dark hair who greeted you as you arrived in the courtyard, friendly lovely chatty lady offering spiced rum welcome drink very nice. Sat at the long table next to the chefs father and mother very nice people then found out...as non meat eater are reservation was for a meat meal agin lovely lady with dark hair sorted out no fuss came back to inform me it’s all been sorted service top mark,Barman young guy who trains with Bristol bears very informative about the drinks again top marks The bread baked on-site Amazing the home made butter again Amazing. The starter arrived squash etc this was without doubt best starter I have tasted in a long time! Main meal cod with a green sauce 10 out of 10 with lovely roasted new potatoes, such a good combination. Desert ice cream cake plum Omg. finished with truffles and coffee The service on the mark every time, Timing perfect, not too quick or too long between courses. Like to say the staff made this a great experience but it was beaten by the food along with great service.More

Date of visit: October 2023
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Reviewed 30 September 2023

purchased a voucher for £250 that we weren’t able to to use 3 years later after disruption during covid. Place used to be super friendly but clearly become a bit money grabbing and overpriced.

Date of visit: September 2023
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Reviewed 11 September 2023

Disappointing . Although we were sat inside we were plagued by wasp’s coming in through the open doors. Some of the food was ok but the fish pie very watery and not a lot of fish, the macaroni cheese not much sauce , very disappointing....Two different chocolate brownies advertised one with beetroot at £4.50 one without at £3.50 only to be told it was the same brownie at two different prices. When we came to pay there where drinks added on to the bill that we hadn’t had . Service not very good . Looking forward to a treat for lunch only to leave very disappointed.More

Date of visit: September 2023
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Reviewed 3 September 2023

Excellent venue and very good service, My advice is do not follow satnave unless you are 100% sure it is accurate.

Date of visit: August 2023
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Reviewed 22 August 2023 via mobile

Amazing setting and great to be able to take the dog. We went for the breakfast menu which reads really well, but left it towards the end of the service (11:15 when breakfast stops at 11:30). Food came out and looked really good, but was...quite a mixed bag. I had the bacon/sausage/poached egg on toast - lovely sausage and poached eggs, but the single bacon rasher had clearly been cooked very much earlier in the day. My daughters had the garlic mushrooms/poached eggs on toast - again lovely mushrooms and eggs, but toast overdone with very tough crust and garlic skin in one of their meals My wife had the poached eggs/Kim kraut on toast as well as the granola and that was all good. Basically venue and menu are excellent, promises a lot, but haven’t quite got the execution right and doesn’t quite match the price tag. (£65 for the 4 items on toast and a few soft drinks/coffees).More

Date of visit: August 2023
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Reviewed 19 August 2023

An absolute shambles… Whatever has happened to River Cottage kitchen and store? We live locally, and it’s been a good few months since we last visited with family and we had a great lunch outside looking out across the valley. Great food, great ambience. We...visited for lunch again with family, and it was such a huge disappointment. Yes it was a Saturday and the place was busy, but it was clear to see that the kitchen and “pass” were just too small for the amount of people there and not enough staff. There were three of us and we ordered 2 broccoli and dukka salads and one fish pie. After half an hour we saw our dishes literally just sitting on the pass for a good TEN minutes before the dishes were brought over to us. The courgette in our salads was meant to be charred to give warmth to the salad. On arrival to the table, the dish was stone cold and the courgette not charred and the waitress removed them both to be redone. She could see that the dish was wrong. The fish pie, when tried was stone cold in the middle and totally inedible. We sent this back asking for a fish pie that was properly cooked. After another half hour, the salads arrived back and the courgettes were “just warm” but I’m afraid the dish was totally uninspiring and left a very nasty taste in my mouth. My husband ate his as he was hungry but was not enamoured at all with the dish. The fish pie arrived and we had high hopes but we could see there was no steam rising to ensure good cooking and on opening it was luke warm! The pie was eaten as it was tasty but nothing special, and once again it was not enough! We did not complain again as we just did not want to wait another half hour for a properly cooked pie! Whilst we were waiting and as we were able to see the kitchen, we noticed so many dishes arriving on the pass and sitting there for long periods whilst the staff seemed more intent on clearing the tables and having a chat rather than ensuring that the hot food was served hot and in good time to the other guests. Both my husband and I have spent a large portion of our working life in hospitality and have gained a decent amount of knowledge during this time but we feel so disappointed in what could potentially be such a great venue, but through a lack of proper management, it just failed to deliver. We had 2 glasses of very mediocre wine and 2 glasses of rather expensive elderflower presse. We were then presented with a bill of £64.00 with no offer of a reduction on the bill due to the needless inconvenience caused to us! Unbelievable! We will not be recommending, or returning!More

Date of visit: August 2023
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Reviewed 29 July 2023 via mobile

Wonderful experience, great location and good food. Hope to return & stay at the cottage next time. Beautiful Devon countryside 😊

Date of visit: July 2023
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Questions & Answers
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SharonP1485
2 November 2018|
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Response from airfish1 | Reviewed this property |
You need to book. They prepare for numbers well in advance.
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Jan G
22 August 2017|
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Response from R2558QIcolinb | Reviewed this property |
I always use a light vegetable oil generally and a good quality olive oil occasionally. Tried rapeseed oil but not over keen on the flavour.
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RIVER COTTAGE HQ, Axminster - Updated 2024 Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about River Cottage HQ

River Cottage HQ is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 4.5