Great Western Hotel, Exeter

Close to St David's main line station, but some way out of Exeter City Centre, is The Great Western, a pub / hotel that, externally at least, exudes the air of an establishment that has seen better days and does need a good lick of paint. A cosy and largely carpeted bar - The Loco Bar - is split level and has a number of different drinking areas. Perhaps not surprisingly, a railway theme dominates and there's several splendid paintings / posters to admire. The "Great Western" engine nameplate hangs proudly in the back room. Note also the old Great Western poster advertising a "Special Fast Excursion to London" on Saturday 5 July 1879. A bank of 9 pumps was, on my recent evening visit, serving mainly local brews of which both the O'Hanlons Port Stout and RCH Pitchfork were in superb form. The pub is listed in the CAMRA 2010 Good Beer Guide. Staff here are clearly enthusiastic and knowledgeable about beer and I was served promptly and efficiently by a barman who was a dead ringer for David Seaman, complete with ponytail. Amongst various posters and flyers advertising forthcoming beer festivals was a rare sighting this far west of the latest issue of London Drinker. This is clearly not your average hotel bar and it appears to have a good following of regulars. Notably, Seamus O'Donnells, a pub branding itself as Exeter's Number 1 Irish bar and situated virtually opposite, was closed and boarded up. The hotel restaurant - The Brunel restaurant - seemed quite busy for a midweek evening. Food is also available in the bar till late. It's a bit of a hike from Exeter City Centre - about 15/20 minutes, and even longer if you take the scenic route along the river towpath - but I think it's a hike worth making. This pub is at the top of my list for a revisit when I'm next in Exeter.

A railway-type hotel, ok, good beer.

A hotel with 2 bars selling up to 8 real ales and those that i tried were in excellent condition including an RCH pitchfork that was the best i have ever tasted. The food comes in enormous portions so if you eat here make sure that you are very hungry

Bustling city hotel with comfortable bedrooms, good quality restaurant and a very busy bar with friendly staff

What can you say when you have a choice of up to 18 real ales available in a hotel near the main railway station. Must visit!

Official site of the Great Western Hotel - www.greatwesternhotel.co.uk

Official site of the Great Western Hotel - www.greatwesternhotel.co.uk