Bridge Inn, Exeter

One of the classic pubs of England, and one holding many happy memories from the period when I was living in the area. I was slightly nervous about re-visiting - in case things had changed too much - but thankfully I didn't need to worry... The serving hatch in the corridor, the side Tap Room and the tiny front snug beyond are all much as remembered. There is also a separate lounge to the rear (known as the Malt-house Room) which is opened on special occasions. Plenty of interesting items of furniture and decor to admire. Also has a few wooden benches outside, overlooking the River Clyst. Beers served direct from the cask via the 'inner sanctum', so you need to find the list of what's on. About seven interesting beers and ciders available on this visit, including a fine pint of Jollyboat Plunder (£3.50). A 'must visit'.

This is a long time favourite pub of ours. The first time we visited it was a very dirty faded pink with a faded Whitbread sign hanging almost over the road as there is no pavement outside the pub. We thought we had come to the wrong pub but on entering we soon found out how wonderfull this pub is with no proper bar but a serving hatch and also serving from the door in the corridor. All ales are poured direct fom the barrell in the lower area that acts as. Cellar. The toilets are outside and the gents has just been redone. We have seen people walk in , turn round and walk straight out but they have just missed a superb bit of old English heritage which they would normally pay to go and see. The ales are all from small breweries mainly fom the West Country area. Never had a poor pint here. Very few pubs get a score of 10 from me but this one well deserves it...the home done pasties are also very good.

Well I finally made it to the Bridge when it was open and it was worth the wait; what a fantastic old fashioned traditional ale house. One of the best pubs I have ever visited. Six or seven real ales were on the menu here; i tried the specially brewed 111 ale on draft and took a bottle home for later. 111 refers to the 111th anniversary of the same family running the establishment (brewed by Branoc and bottled by O'Hanlons. the Landlord informed me that they are considering doing another anniversary brew for 120 years. After buying our drinks and being shown into a small snug opposite the bar (hatch), the landlord walked in to enquire who in the room had never visited the pub before. Those of us who raised our hands were then treated to a guided tour with explanantions on how the building had evolved over the years (the original inn dates back to 1512). Please visit if you are a serious pub lover and beer drinker, you will not be disappointed, but beware, traditional hours are kept.

On the very edge of Topsham village, on the banks of the River Clyst, is The Bridge Inn, a fabulously old fashioned, unspoilt, traditional inn that describes itself as a "Free House 16th Century". It is believed that stonemasons who were building Exeter Cathedral lodged here. As we approach the pub, we realise that the building appears to have some parts older than others and that the original old part of the building has been added to. Inside, up a few steps, we find two small old fashioned rooms that are serviced through hatches from what appears to be a small private room, which is not part of the public area, but to which access is apparently granted "by invitation". The first room has basic, fixed seating and, notably, an old framed sign stating that "this room is prohibited from all amusements on Sunday - W Gibbings, Proprietor". The second room, further down, and in the real heart of the building, is darker, has a fine fireplace and grandfather clock, together with a splendid tall curved settle that effectively forms one of the walls of the room. Photos of when the Queen visited here in March 1998 are displayed - believed to be the first and only official visit so far by Her Majesty to a Public House. In the corridor, there's various newspaper articles in which the pub has featured as a truly unspoilt timeless classic. Needless to say, there's no electronic distractions. Indeed, various signs dotted round the pub tell us that mobiles are banned - a message which one would have hoped would not be necessary. The pub is listed in CAMRA's National Inventory of Heritage Pubs. Despite still retaining an old "Whitbread Tankard Free House" sign outside, there was of course no sign of this former much maligned beer. Beer is served direct from the barrel from a barn like room at ground floor level and carried up a few steps to those customers drinking inside. Customers drinking outside can be served directly from a hatch like counter without having to go inside to be served. Beers, served in jugs, included Branscombe Vale Branos and beers from Cotleigh and Teignworthy, amongst others. 6 beers were on in total. Pork pies and pasties are available at certain times. My pint of Branos was in good form and only £ 2.60p, although a notice on the daily food / drinks menu tells us that "prices may vary depending on customers attitude". Unusually, beer can be bought in 1/3 pint measures. The pub's opening hours, which are restricted, are referred to on the door as "the 1914 hours" and relate to the fact that the opening hours are restricted by the 1914 Defence of the Realm Act which restricted opening hours to ensure people made war ammunition instead of getting drunk. The pub was advertising that, on 14 September 2010, Stage 4 ( Minehead - Teignmouth ) of the Cycle Tour of Britain would be passing the pub between 13.40 and 14.30 p m and, as a result, the pub would be staying open longer than normal. The pub has an outside drinking area on the banks of the River Clyst by the bridge over the river. The pub is about 5 miles from Exeter and is easily accessible by either bus or train ( Exmouth branch line ). If you like unspoilt, old fashioned, characterful pubs, you should make the effort to get here.

I Have read the other reviews and can add that this wonderful old world pub is in a time warp. For those of you who cannot find the ' pulls' STOP LOOKING - beer is tapped straight from the barrel!

Large detached corner pub, half pink rendered, half pink painted brick, with large car park and beer garden, situated by the river and bridge (amazing that) heading into Topsham from Clyst St George. The interior is a nesting of little rooms, one of which was full of morris dancers, that jingled to look at the new entrant. There is a small bar room, with hatch, which you can walk behind and find yourself in another small sitting area - where were the handpulls i quizzed myself?. I got lost. There is lots of old memorabilia, muskets and such like, as they play on the history of the building - fair play to them. The service was ok, the place was bursting with a mixed clientele - i went to the beer garden where the wife and kids were - i made it out! Beer, well amazingly i cant tell you. There were several real ales, but i had to find a list with them on - i had a decent Ohanlons stout. Its bad enough writing down whats on the handpulls - but copying off a list is too much! Great place, really enjoyed it, however, the Exeter Inn in the town is a slightly better place for an all round experience as far as i am concerned