Pubs only locals know in Exeter

Exeter is a beautiful cathedral city that draws flocks of tourists to mingle with the locals and the students in its numerous pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants. While it might be tempting to pop into the first place you see after exploring the cathedral or the waterfront, venturing further afield can result in finding some truly special hidden gems, canal-side watering holes and idyllic country pubs.

A two-mile stroll out of the city, along the banks of the canal, leads to this 18th-century inn, which gets its name from the canal locks next to it. If you’re looking for a relaxing pint by the water, but were deterred by the crowds on Exeter’s waterfront, this will fit the bill perfectly. On a sunny day, you can sit on the benches in the Double Locks’ beautiful garden just feet from the canal, watching barges and swans float by. The pub prides itself on its selection of real ales and its hearty pub menu that heavily features local produce.

There isn’t a detail left untended to at The Fat Pig. It’s practically its own eco-system, as the owners raise the pigs that supply the pork on their own farm and brew their own craft ales in a piece of kit bought on eBay. Located on the corner of an otherwise unremarkable street, rather than being just a local, this is the kind of pub that inspires devotion from its patrons. The food is excellent, the whiskeys bountiful (over 100 single malts alone) and the beer lovingly crafted, making this easily one of the best pubs in Exeter.

The Pinhoe Hoard gets its unusual name from a find of Bronze Age artefacts found by local detectorists on the site in 1999. It’s bounty of another kind inside, as the bright, welcoming room plays host to an enticing menu full of extremely well-executed pub favourites. It’s a popular destination with locals for weekend lunches, proof that this recent, family-friendly addition to Exeter’s many pubs has hit the mark. It’s about a 15-minute drive north east of the city but well worth the short jaunt.

This gem on Exeter Quay has no “could have been a contender” regrets to opine. It is more than a contender; it’s a surefire winner. It offers beautiful views out over the water from its terrace, it welcomes you and your doggy friend with open arms, the interior is supremely cool, it serves excellent pizzas that range in size from ‘normal’ to ‘dustbin lid’, its menu is more a tome than a list of food (and all of it sounds amazing). Ale drinkers will also rejoice as there are three regulars always on tap, a seasonal fourth and a monthly guest.