Exeter Pub Guide, No. 3, The Double Locks

Where is this pub?
Down the canal towards Countess Wear, but on the other side of the river. You can drive there, but most people cycle, canoe or walk on a sunny day.

What would draw you to this pub?
Lovely canal side location, good beers, the chance for some exercise and fresh air



What sort of person would you find in this pub?
The middle class family, the sporting young couple, wannabe marathon runners, fair weather drinkers.

What can you consume in this pub?
Mostly Young s Ales, including at this time of year Winter Warmer. Several other guest ales straight from the barrel, Addlestones cider, a rather expensive range of wines and plenty of soft drinks.



What is quirky about this pub?
The location, it takes a bit of effort to get to. Also the pool table outside, and the outdoor area for children. Live music and Barbecues are also a regular feature of this pub.



What is specifically “Exeter” about the pub?
The Exeter canal, this is an historic pub that has been used for centuries by traders and locals. The local bands, the poker playing bar manager.

What is there to do in this pub?
Admire the views, play pool, run around outside, get fit getting there.

What are the worst things about the pub?
In the summer it gets awfully busy, and the food is pretty average.

Is there an old man sat at the bar?
No, just a man with lycra shorts and bicycle clips.



In a word, should I bother coming here?
Yes, but pick a midweek day, or a sunny winter afternoon. Make sure you don't wobble off your bike on the way home.

Exeter Pub Guide, No. 2, City Gate Hotel

Where is this pub?
On the Iron Bridge (St Davids Hill) in Exeter. It may sound odd to say it is “on” the bridge, but it sort of is!



What would draw you to this pub?
The walled garden (sheltered from the wind), friendly staff, poker nights, traditional hotel pub atmosphere, reasonably priced rooms.

What sort of person would you find in this pub?
Older couples, hotel guests, the posher students and people relaxing after work.

What can you consume in this pub?
A range of Youngs beers (including Winter Warmer and Waggledance), Addlestones cider and all the usual lagers and spirits. Sprits and wines will set you back a fair amount.

What is quirky about this pub?
The walled garden is a real feature, with views of St Michaels Church (the vicar of this church can often be found in there) and the malthouse building (Now Ginos restaurant). A selection of Roman-esque statues and a fish pond with (manky) fountain. The new conservatory is a nice light place to sit, and strangely comforting on a rainy evening. The pub used to be a lot quirkier before major changes were made in the late 90's, but overall the changes have created a much better space.



What is specifically “Exeter” about the pub?
The views, some of the pictures on the walls have a local theme.

What is there to do in this pub?
The downstairs often holds private parties, and Monday night is poker night. The IT box gets a fair bit of use, and newspapers (albeit the Daily Mail and Telegraph) are always lying around.

What are the worst things about the pub?
Some of the drinks will set you back (£3.20 Pint Addlestones, pushing £4 for a glass of wine or spirits). The smell in the old part of the pub is a little musky. The staff are sometimes more involved in running the hotel part of the business rather than the bar part. The food is hit and miss and the chef is a tad on the vicious side.

Is there an old man sat at the bar?
Not at the bar, but at the round table in the conservatory. This pub has many locals, and the staff know them all by name (or at least by drink!)

In a word, should I bother coming here?
Certainly, it is near the town, but far enough away to feel you are off the beaten track. The staff will make you feel welcome and the ales are good.

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!