Exeter Pub Guide, No. 1, The Mill on the Exe

Where is this pub?
Bonhay Road, just opposite the turning for Exe Street, perfectly situated on the banks of the Exe.



What would draw you to this pub?
Location, location, location. The main time people come here is when the sun comes out and you can sit by the river with a drink. If it were not by the river it would not be half as popular.

What sort of person would you find in this pub?
Typically couples, or groups of middle aged people having a meal, very occasionally students (posh ones) and groups of lads from the nearby Fitness First.

What can you consume in this pub?
A great variety of meals, from ribs to salads, ranging from £9 - £15. The food has improved greatly recently and we eat there quite often. As for Nibbles Burts crisps are available, and some varieties of nuts. I recommend the Parsnip Burts.



What is quirky about this pub?
Nothing greatly quirky, it has largely been cleaned up and modernised, but look out for the picture of the large pig, the spiral staircase (below), and in the bushes outside there is an interesting piece of ironwork. (see above)



What is specifically “Exeter” about the pub?
Views of the Exe and of St Michaels Church, Geese, ducks and swans, posh exeter students turning up in their new Minis and Beetles. It is also a building steeped with history as it used to actually be a mill.

What is there to do in this pub?
I think there are a few games behind the bar, and at least one machine flashing its lights confusingly. Otherwise conversation is key, the music is down very low and is very mellow and won't get in the way.

What are the worst things about the pub?
At £2.80-£3.20 a pint this is not a cheap place to drink, soft drinks are not cheap either. Also the place lacks a certain atmosphere, it is a middle class inoffensive pub, and something exciting or interesting is unlikely to spontaneously happen.

Is there an old man sat at the bar?
No, this pub is strangely lacking in regulars, in fact I would suggest that our friends and us are the only regulars!

In a word, should I bother coming here?
Yes. But try and pick a sunny day and make sure you have a wallet full! This is by far the pub I go to the most often, mostly as it is less than 2 minutes walk away!