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The Turk's Head City Pub Company

UK England South West England Devon Exeter

01392 706 013 202 High Street, Exeter, Devon EX4 3EB

6 Guest Rooms
Contemporary Pub with Rooms

One of Exeter's most historic pubs – and once again one of the city's best places to stay

Right in the heart of the city centre, the Turk's Head is one of Exeter's most historic pubs. Said to have been frequented by Charles Dickens back in the day, when he was a regular visitor to Exeter, it's had a chequered past since, serving as a branch of the Prezzo restaurant chain before closing down altogether in 2018. But very happily for all of us, City Pub Company came along and rescued the property, restoring it to its former glory, opening once again as a historic inn and microbrewery, serving good quality food and ales and with a set of rooms for travellers to rest their weary heads in – just like in Dickens day!

The pub dates back to the mid-16th century, and as such, it's a great place to come just for a drink – a first-rate job has been done updating it while retaining the original pubby feel, with beams, wood panelling, fireplaces and bare brick walls mixed with contemporary chandeliers, murals and other decorative details. The presence of the brewery adds a nice twist – try their Fat Boy IPA, named after a Pickwick Papers character Dickens apparently dreamed up while sitting in the bar here. And the food is lip-smackingly good, with burger and wing aficionados Eat the Bird residents in the kitchen. The pub itself is an inviting place to eat and drink, with open spaces and a couple of cosy 'snugs', including 'Dickens Corner', where the author is supposed to have preferred to sit, as well as an outside courtyard.

The six bright and contemporary guest rooms are really well-priced, and range from 'Cosy' doubles to the slightly more expensive 'Comfy' doubles at the top of the building. You have to be prepared for a little noise from the pub downstairs, but it's all part of the vibe of staying here, and in any case, the pub keeps pretty strict hours. Cosy rooms are less spacious and have small double beds, while Comfy rooms are bigger, with a seating area and larger en-suite bathrooms with walk-in showers. All rooms come with wifi, tea- and coffee-making facilities (including Nespresso machines), complimentary bottled water, TVs, fans, hairdryers and ironing boards. All in all, it's a terrific place to stay, and you couldn't be more in the heart of historic Exeter if you tried!