A PLACE WORTH KNOWING
Find your favourite little corner
Dark timber, little candlelit rooms and a garden tucked behind West Street. Come for a steak-and-ale pie, then give yourself time to settle in.
There is plenty to look at before your food arrives: dark panelling, a glowing hearth, framed pictures and tables tucked into small rooms. The Old Exeter Inn makes an appealing finish to a wander through Ashburton’s shops. Let a handmade pie and a pint turn a short stop into lunch, or follow the greenery into the walled Apothecary Garden. The menu has its own sense of occasion: on Sundays, the pie becomes part of a roast dinner, complete with beef and a Yorkshire pudding.
The lovely little details
- A pie house and pub at 26 West Street, opposite St Andrew’s Church.
- Small candlelit rooms, real ales and a walled Apothecary Garden.
- Food served daily, with table bookings recommended.
SOMETHING TO LOOK OUT FOR
The signature steak-and-ale pie
The current menu describes beef slow-braised for 12 hours in dark ale, wrapped in shortcrust pastry. Choose mash or chips, with port gravy; check the blackboard for that day’s puddings.
From the venueTHE USEFUL LITTLE DETAILS
Make a little plan.
Getting there
Look for St Andrew’s Church on West Street: the inn is directly opposite, just off the A38. The venue directs visitors to parking behind the inn. Check the signs and parking arrangements when you arrive.
Before you set off
Reserve online or call 01364 652013. The venue recommends booking for meals; larger parties may need a deposit. Call ahead for an indoor table if you are bringing a dog.
Check bookings & availabilityBring the dog
Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome in the bar, snug and garden. Water bowls are provided; call ahead for an indoor table.
Check the detailsCard payments
The inn is card-only and says it accepts all major cards, including American Express.
Check the detailsVegetarian choices
The published menu includes Devonshire homity pie and vegetarian cottage pie. Ask about the current choices and dietary requirements before ordering.
Check the detailsHow the chips are cooked
Beef dripping is the default cooking fat. The venue says vegetable oil is also available, so mention your preference when ordering.
Check the detailsA Sunday with a difference
Sunday Roast Pie Dinners combine a pastry meat pie with swede mash, topside beef, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, vegetables and port gravy.
Check the detailsChildren welcome
There is a children’s menu, including macaroni cheese, goujons and sausage with mash or chips.
Check the detailsGarden time
The walled Apothecary Garden brings planting, flowers and seating behind the pub. It is a lovely option when the weather suits.
Check the detailsDetails checked 23 October 2026. Opening times, menus and access arrangements can change; confirm anything essential directly before travelling.
About this feature & our sources
This is an editorial discovery, researched from the venue’s own information and any visitor sources linked here. It is not a paid partnership or a first-hand review. Individual visitor tips reflect that person’s experience; they are not a live rating or a promise about your visit.
- Old Exeter Inn · official website and gallery ↗
- Old Exeter Inn · visiting, payments and booking ↗
- Old Exeter Inn · current menu ↗
- Old Exeter Inn · food and cooking information ↗
- Old Exeter Inn · Apothecary Garden ↗
- Old Exeter Inn · dog policy ↗
- Old Exeter Inn · official Instagram ↗
- Tripadvisor · Old Exeter Inn reviews ↗
- Tripadvisor · Jane M, 17 September 2026 ↗
- Tripadvisor · Kevin J, 6 October 2026 ↗
Each photo has its own source and credit in the gallery. Spotted something that needs updating? Let us know.
