The Imperial (JD Wetherspoon), Exeter

Impressive 'spoons on the hill above St David's station, comprising a substantial old hotel with two counters (one temporarily closed) and various seating areas supplemented by a long - much lighter - extension in a splendid orangery featuring another bar. Numerous real ales available from the various counters, including five from the local Hunter's (e.g. Royal Hunt Best Bitter). First class.

Massive Wetherpoons, up the hill from St David’s BR and close to the University. Set in impressive grounds which allows for ample car parking and large terrace beer garden (both quite a novelty for Spoons), this was formerly a hotel. Quite opulent Regency-style interior décor, very nicely done I thought. The star of the show however is the ironwork orangery section to the rear; an amazing place to sup your pint, especially when the sun is setting. I visited a couple of times on my Exeter weekend, sampling a good pint of O’Hanlons and an even better one of Lancaster Black. There were two bars that I noted, one in the main block of the building and another in the orangery section. Being close to the University, it attracts its fair share of bit hooray students (the income demographic of the average Exeter student is pretty high). All-in-all, possibly my favourite Spoons, really worth getting off the train for.