Jenny's Guidebook
Food scene
My favourite pubs, cafes and places to eat
Less than five minutes from the flat, brews its own beer in a micro brewery, serves great burgers with non meat options also available. A great atmosphere and in happier times good live music at weekends!
30 locals recommend
The Grapevine Brewhouse
2 Victoria RdLess than five minutes from the flat, brews its own beer in a micro brewery, serves great burgers with non meat options also available. A great atmosphere and in happier times good live music at weekends!
Famous floating restaurant in the River Exe. You can rock up to the pontoon on your own boat for snacks and beers or book a table and catch the water taxi to the barge. Bookings are hard to come by - lunchtimes easier in high season. Follow them on Facebook for news! Great place for a special meal / celebration!
71 locals recommend
River Exe Cafe
Famous floating restaurant in the River Exe. You can rock up to the pontoon on your own boat for snacks and beers or book a table and catch the water taxi to the barge. Bookings are hard to come by - lunchtimes easier in high season. Follow them on Facebook for news! Great place for a special meal / celebration!
A Youngs pub - so London drinks prices but lots of outdoor seating and a balcony to watch the sunset from. Serves pub food.
15 locals recommend
Grove
EsplanadeA Youngs pub - so London drinks prices but lots of outdoor seating and a balcony to watch the sunset from. Serves pub food.
New kid on the block - owned by Michael Caines - mixed reviews but I really liked it. Nice food, lively vibe and seafront location!
22 locals recommend
Mickeys Beach Bar & Restaurant
Queen's DriveNew kid on the block - owned by Michael Caines - mixed reviews but I really liked it. Nice food, lively vibe and seafront location!
The Bumble and Bee in Manor Gardens serves delicious breakfasts and lunches - Bumble Bubble is a favourite after the Park Run. Sister cafes with more limited food options are the Bumble and Sea (a seafront walk away at Orcombe Point) and Bumble and Tee (Phear Park).
8 locals recommend
Bumble and Bee
Alexandra TerraceThe Bumble and Bee in Manor Gardens serves delicious breakfasts and lunches - Bumble Bubble is a favourite after the Park Run. Sister cafes with more limited food options are the Bumble and Sea (a seafront walk away at Orcombe Point) and Bumble and Tee (Phear Park).
Krispies
57 Exeter RdFab Fish and Chips - Award winning. Good online app to order from too.
If you are hopping on the train to Exeter then alight at Exeter Central and grab a coffee and delicious cake from the Exploding Bakery which is adjacent to the station.
19 locals recommend
The Exploding Bakery Cafe
Queen StreetIf you are hopping on the train to Exeter then alight at Exeter Central and grab a coffee and delicious cake from the Exploding Bakery which is adjacent to the station.
A good pub for a meal - a short walk from Exton Station so you can come and go by train, or cycle or walk there on the Exe Estuary Trail. Booking is advisable but there’s also a sheltered pub garden.
13 locals recommend
The Puffing Billy Inn
Station RoadA good pub for a meal - a short walk from Exton Station so you can come and go by train, or cycle or walk there on the Exe Estuary Trail. Booking is advisable but there’s also a sheltered pub garden.
Right on Exeter Quay a really popular place to stop for a beer! Outside seating with some room indoors during normal times! Pizza van outside when I went there on Saturday which sold the most yummy pizzas which you can take to your pub table - 😍 this place!
8 locals recommend
Topsham Brewery & Taproom
Haven RoadRight on Exeter Quay a really popular place to stop for a beer! Outside seating with some room indoors during normal times! Pizza van outside when I went there on Saturday which sold the most yummy pizzas which you can take to your pub table - 😍 this place!
One of my favourite haunts - bustling, friendly and good food. So busy that you need to book nowadays but a lovely local thriving restaurant!
19 locals recommend
The Point Bar & Grill
Pier HeadOne of my favourite haunts - bustling, friendly and good food. So busy that you need to book nowadays but a lovely local thriving restaurant!
Here’s where you will find the locals tackling a full English before heading out on the water. Proper breakfast with no frills.
Dockside Cafe
Pier HeadHere’s where you will find the locals tackling a full English before heading out on the water. Proper breakfast with no frills.
Antonio's
9 StrandDelicious ice cream, fancy cones, choice of toppings … need I say more!
Such a great place to stop for a beer if you are cycling or walking. There’s a ferry over to the hotel from Topsham too. Lots of space to sit outside in the extensive grounds. If you have a boat then you can moor up on the jetty just outside the pub!
36 locals recommend
The Turf
Such a great place to stop for a beer if you are cycling or walking. There’s a ferry over to the hotel from Topsham too. Lots of space to sit outside in the extensive grounds. If you have a boat then you can moor up on the jetty just outside the pub!
Busy pub right by the water’s edge - get a table outside, a sharing platter and a bottle of wine and watch the sun go down … beautiful! Half an hour (ish) cycle from the flat or a short train ride and ten min walk.
34 locals recommend
The Passage House Inn
Ferry RoadBusy pub right by the water’s edge - get a table outside, a sharing platter and a bottle of wine and watch the sun go down … beautiful! Half an hour (ish) cycle from the flat or a short train ride and ten min walk.
A nice walk from Exeter Quay along a flat cycle / pedestrian path. Large garden with outdoor seating. You can paddle board or kayak there too - hire these from Paddles and Saddles on Exeter Quay.
28 locals recommend
Double Locks
A nice walk from Exeter Quay along a flat cycle / pedestrian path. Large garden with outdoor seating. You can paddle board or kayak there too - hire these from Paddles and Saddles on Exeter Quay.
Part of the fabric of Exmouth this restaurant has a wide variety of dishes and, if my memory serves me right, delivers a feast!!
9 locals recommend
The Mexican
17-19 ParadePart of the fabric of Exmouth this restaurant has a wide variety of dishes and, if my memory serves me right, delivers a feast!!
Lush pizzas served for collection from a really cute van based at Green Fingers Garden Centre. Order on line and collect at your time slot!
The Pizza Garden
Pound LaneLush pizzas served for collection from a really cute van based at Green Fingers Garden Centre. Order on line and collect at your time slot!
Cyclists’ coffee stop on the Exe Estuary Trail … lovely breakfasts too!
12 locals recommend
Route 2 Bikes Topsham
4 Amity PlCyclists’ coffee stop on the Exe Estuary Trail … lovely breakfasts too!
Rockfish Exeter
9 Haven RdBuzzing with fresh fish and not horrendously expensive …
Rockfish - Exmouth
Pier HeadNeighbourhoods
You can get here easily by train, cycle there in about 30-40 mins or walk along the Estuary Trail. A range of independent shops, great pubs and coffee shops, plus a chance to idle by the river and watch the world go by!
106 locals recommend
Topsham
You can get here easily by train, cycle there in about 30-40 mins or walk along the Estuary Trail. A range of independent shops, great pubs and coffee shops, plus a chance to idle by the river and watch the world go by!
Exmouth has a beautiful long Sandy beach bookended by the locals beach - Shelly Beach - from which you can watch the most beautiful sunsets, and Sandy Bay, which you can access at low tide.
The Strand offers plenty of cafes and pubs and Sideshore is the new Kitesurfing centre on the seafront.
The Marina is where you catch the ferry from for Starcross or join one of the Stuartline cruises.
Nearest city is Exeter which offers a wider range of shops - easily accessible by car, bus, train or bike.
There is lots to do here - water sports galore, cycling, walking etc, or just grab a coffee at Hangtime on the seafront or the deli in the Strand and watch the world go by.
I love living here and hope you have a fabulous stay!
113 locals recommend
Exmouth
Exmouth has a beautiful long Sandy beach bookended by the locals beach - Shelly Beach - from which you can watch the most beautiful sunsets, and Sandy Bay, which you can access at low tide.
The Strand offers plenty of cafes and pubs and Sideshore is the new Kitesurfing centre on the seafront.
The Marina is where you catch the ferry from for Starcross or join one of the Stuartline cruises.
Nearest city is Exeter which offers a wider range of shops - easily accessible by car, bus, train or bike.
There is lots to do here - water sports galore, cycling, walking etc, or just grab a coffee at Hangtime on the seafront or the deli in the Strand and watch the world go by.
I love living here and hope you have a fabulous stay!
I love this little city! My perfect trip would be to travel in by train to Exeter Central, grab a coffee from the Exploding Bakery just outside the station, have a mooch down Gandy Street (which inspired J K Rowling), pop into the RAAM museum, bit more shopping and then head to the Quay for a drink with lovely chums. There are lots of places to eat and drink, a cathedral which I think I read inspired the notion of the cat flap … but I might have dreamt that!! Rockfish is based on the Quay, plus the Topsham Tap pub. You can also hire bikes and kayaks and take a trip to the pub at Double Locks - it has a large beer garden next to the canal.
409 locals recommend
Exeter
I love this little city! My perfect trip would be to travel in by train to Exeter Central, grab a coffee from the Exploding Bakery just outside the station, have a mooch down Gandy Street (which inspired J K Rowling), pop into the RAAM museum, bit more shopping and then head to the Quay for a drink with lovely chums. There are lots of places to eat and drink, a cathedral which I think I read inspired the notion of the cat flap … but I might have dreamt that!! Rockfish is based on the Quay, plus the Topsham Tap pub. You can also hire bikes and kayaks and take a trip to the pub at Double Locks - it has a large beer garden next to the canal.
A charming town with independent shops and a pebble / sandy beach. Head to the cafe at Jacobs Ladder for the most enormous slices of freshly made cakes - this is at the west end of the seafront.
105 locals recommend
Sidmouth
A charming town with independent shops and a pebble / sandy beach. Head to the cafe at Jacobs Ladder for the most enormous slices of freshly made cakes - this is at the west end of the seafront.
Real Enid Blyton territory - charming beach and cafes …opportunities to find plenty of stones with holes in them (this could just be my thing 😅)
93 locals recommend
Beer
Real Enid Blyton territory - charming beach and cafes …opportunities to find plenty of stones with holes in them (this could just be my thing 😅)
Sightseeing
Fabulous cycle trail along the River Exe. About 12k into Exeter Quay. Relatively easy cycling along a safe route which is mostly off road and littered with lovely pubs and cafes.
For the more adventurous take the Starcross ferry across the river and complete a round trip with lunch at The Turf pub. Bike hire from Andy at Exmouth cycles just up the road from the flat.
14 locals recommend
Exe Estuary
Fabulous cycle trail along the River Exe. About 12k into Exeter Quay. Relatively easy cycling along a safe route which is mostly off road and littered with lovely pubs and cafes.
For the more adventurous take the Starcross ferry across the river and complete a round trip with lunch at The Turf pub. Bike hire from Andy at Exmouth cycles just up the road from the flat.
You can walk to A La Ronde from the flat - head along the Exe Estuary cycle trail and then take a right turn up across the field, cross the road at the crossing and you are almost there! About 45 mins - 1 hour walk depending on your pace!
The building is a National Trust property. It’s a bit crazy - but the views across the water are lovely!
31 locals recommend
National Trust - A la Ronde
Summer LaneYou can walk to A La Ronde from the flat - head along the Exe Estuary cycle trail and then take a right turn up across the field, cross the road at the crossing and you are almost there! About 45 mins - 1 hour walk depending on your pace!
The building is a National Trust property. It’s a bit crazy - but the views across the water are lovely!
For a sedate cruise along the estuary, across the bay I recommend Stuartline cruises. They offer a wide variety of cruise options - birdwatching and so on. A great local company!
36 locals recommend
Stuart Line Cruises
Pier HeadFor a sedate cruise along the estuary, across the bay I recommend Stuartline cruises. They offer a wide variety of cruise options - birdwatching and so on. A great local company!
East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
This is not a castle but a beautiful location in Woodbury Common - great for dog walking!
16 locals recommend
Woodbury Castle
This is not a castle but a beautiful location in Woodbury Common - great for dog walking!
A beautiful walk or run route along the seafront - lots of places to get coffee enroute!
13 locals recommend
Orcombe Point
Queen's DriveA beautiful walk or run route along the seafront - lots of places to get coffee enroute!
Exeter Quay
Haven Banks - The QuayBeautiful Dartmoor… dog walking, rambling, exploring - ancient railway lines and deserted stone villages … please observe the Moorland code and have a great day! In the past I have been geocaching in this area - not sure if it is still a ‘thing’ but was fun at the time!!
101 locals recommend
Haytor Rocks
Beautiful Dartmoor… dog walking, rambling, exploring - ancient railway lines and deserted stone villages … please observe the Moorland code and have a great day! In the past I have been geocaching in this area - not sure if it is still a ‘thing’ but was fun at the time!!
Just awesome … this captured my imagination when I first visited this place. You can clearly see the footprint of the deserted cottages left on this lonely moorland!
6 locals recommend
Hound Tor Deserted Medieval Village
Just awesome … this captured my imagination when I first visited this place. You can clearly see the footprint of the deserted cottages left on this lonely moorland!
For a fascinating tour around our local lifeboat station which boasts both an Inshore Lifeboat and an All Weather Lifeboat. There is also a good shop attached to the Lifeboat Station full of interesting gifts.
Twenty five minutes walk from the flat along a flat level path. Coffee stops en route.
Exmouth Lifeboat Station
Queen's DriveFor a fascinating tour around our local lifeboat station which boasts both an Inshore Lifeboat and an All Weather Lifeboat. There is also a good shop attached to the Lifeboat Station full of interesting gifts.
Twenty five minutes walk from the flat along a flat level path. Coffee stops en route.
Water Sports Centre
Edge is the place to go if you want to try kite surfing or paddle boarding. Me, I just like browsing the shop, however fab tuition and really friendly if you want to try something more adventurous! They are also really helpful and knowledgeable about water conditions so please seek and heed their advice if you are heading out on the water!
Edge Watersports
A local company offering adrenaline fuelled water based activities from their barge in the Exe. Water skiing, wake boarding etc.
Exewake Limited
Pier HeadA local company offering adrenaline fuelled water based activities from their barge in the Exe. Water skiing, wake boarding etc.
Bike hire
Friendly and knowledgeable service just two minutes from the flat. Bike hire available plus cycling accoutrements.
8 locals recommend
Exmouth Cycles
1a Victoria RdFriendly and knowledgeable service just two minutes from the flat. Bike hire available plus cycling accoutrements.
Interesting shopping
Topsham Quay Antiques Centre
StrandDarts Farm Restaurant
Greendale Farm Shop
Sidmouth RoadCaramel Clothing Ltd
17-18 StrandFriendly service, wide range of fresh fish - locally caught! I think I could eat everything in the shop!!
Fish on the Quay
1A Pier HeadFriendly service, wide range of fresh fish - locally caught! I think I could eat everything in the shop!!
No trip to Budleigh is complete without a browse in Karen’s amazing shop - stacked full of gift ideas, homewares and treats!
The Rowan Tree
7 Fore StNo trip to Budleigh is complete without a browse in Karen’s amazing shop - stacked full of gift ideas, homewares and treats!
Ella's
Queen's DriveHyde and Seek
1 Paul StGreat selection of gifts and cards - and unusual things to treat yourself
Take the train to Exeter Central and walk down the hill to the Quay - takes about twenty minutes and is a relatively hilly walk back but when you get there interesting little shops and cafes to poke around in soaking up the buzzing busy atmosphere. Treat yourself to fish and chips at Rockfish while you are there … booking advisable!
63 locals recommend
Exeter Quay
Haven Banks - The QuayTake the train to Exeter Central and walk down the hill to the Quay - takes about twenty minutes and is a relatively hilly walk back but when you get there interesting little shops and cafes to poke around in soaking up the buzzing busy atmosphere. Treat yourself to fish and chips at Rockfish while you are there … booking advisable!
Beauty Salon
Book in advance as this is a really busy salon - excellent, friendly service - I really value my times spent in here!!
Reflexetions
Pier HeadBook in advance as this is a really busy salon - excellent, friendly service - I really value my times spent in here!!