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Image posted by Blackthorn _
Submitted on Wednesday, 17th June 2026
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Detail Pages
The Imperial (JD Wetherspoon), Exeter
Exeter
EX4 4AH
Reviews of The Imperial (JD Wetherspoon) (Average Rating: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Imperial (JD Wetherspoon)
Located just a short stroll up the hill from the station, this is large building set in expansive grounds, and looks as though it may have been a manor house or something similar at one time. Unusually there appear to be residential apartments within the grounds, whilst the pub itself, although still a good size, is somewhat smaller internally than expected, with much of the building presumably being given over to other uses.
Entering from the main entrance, there is a corridor with a couple of rooms off to the left, and a small bar counter to the right. This opens out in to a large room at the end from where you can go left in to the orangery which is a very impressive room with a large circular window at the end and a larger bar counter to the left. Décor wise it’s all quite elegant and refined with elaborate corniced ceilings in either deep red or blue, gold detailing and pale blue paintwork on much of the walls with plenty of old portrait photographs on the walls.
Beers on tap were Greene King IPA, Doom Bar, Abbott Ale, Keltek Pilot Gig, South Hams Sherman, Brains SA, Woodforde’s Volt, Burton Bridge Top Dog, Coach House Blueberry and Hanlon’s Devon. Ciders were well represented with a quartet from Thatcher’s with their Gold, Cloudy lemon, Burnt Orange and Apple & Blackcurrent, along with Stowford Press, Cornish Flattler, Hunt’s Hazy Dazy, Hunt’s Raspberry and Snail’s Bank Banoffee Pie. The taster I had of the last one was very pleasant, but I wasn’t sure I’d have wanted a pint of it. Overall, definitely one to be ticked off, even if like me, you’re not a massive ‘Spoons fan.
On 19th June 2026
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2125 recommendations about 2021 pubs]
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Imperial (JD Wetherspoon)
An imposing 'spoons hotel a steep climb from St Davids station but affording great views over the city and Exe valley.The exterior grandure stops immediately you enter the building as the decor,furniture and menus everywhere mark this out as a classic 'spoons interior.
Dining style tables around the entrance,there is then a small bar down a few steps with limited staff and ale options of the trio of Doom,Brains SA and Teignworthy Reel Ale.Ignore this offering and keep walking,past a seperate room to the left opposite the kitchen which then opens out into a ballroom and left the Orangery with a huge metal structure supporting the curved ceiling and metal framed mirrors reminscent of the Crystal Palace which made me smile. The bar runs down the left side at the higher level with guest on my trip of Reverend James,Otter Ale,Keltek Beheaded and Summerskills Indiana's Bones (NBSS 3).
The hotel entrance is to the side of the pub,the grounds are manicured and it's all very grand,but as a pub experience a bit underwhelming despite the architecture.I suppose you have to visit it once which I have now done.
On 23rd November 2025
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3180 recommendations about 3180 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Strongers . left this review about The Imperial (JD Wetherspoon)
It’s an impressive view walking up the grass covered hill past the many picnic tables to the top where a grand building that currently houses the Imperial stands. The entrance leads to a walkway that has carpeted seating areas of varying sizes to the left and right. There’s also a small sunken bar mid-way up the right that supports six hand pumps that were drawing the usual three plus Jaipur, Theakston XB and Exeter Brewery’s Avocet Ale. At the end of the walkway there’s a couple of steps down to a large carpeted open plan seating area that was completely full, mostly with students. The main bar area is found around to the left rear where it sits under a very impressive dome with a huge glass window at the far end where a drinking club was having a private session in the sunken seating area. The rearward facing counter supports another eight hand pumps that were drawing additional cask of Conwy Brewery’s Ramparts, Mauldon’s Black Adder, Vale Brewery’s Red Kite, Sambrook’s Brewery’s Powerhouse Porter and Cairngorm Brewery’s Trade Winds. I went for the very good Red Kite that was served by a friendly member of staff. I really liked it in here and will say that it’s the best Spoons I’ve visited.
On 22nd May 2025
- rating: 9
[User has posted 6674 recommendations about 6636 pubs]
View more reviews of The Imperial (JD Wetherspoon) (11)
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- Official site of The Imperial (JD Wetherspoon) - www.jdwetherspoon.com
- Facebook - The Imperial
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Imperial (JD Wetherspoon) - whatpub.com
Exeter Central, 0.5 miles, 9 min walk (show)
St James Park (Devon), 0.94 miles, 18 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 17 August 2019 by Quinno _
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 17 August 2019 by Quinno _
- Beer Festivals : Yes last updated 17 August 2019 by Quinno _
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 17 August 2019 by Quinno _
- CAMRA Discount : No - JDW vouchers only - last updated 17 August 2019 by Quinno _
- Car Park : Yes last updated 17 August 2019 by Quinno _
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 17 August 2019 by Quinno _
- Darts : No last updated 17 August 2019 by Quinno _
- Dog Friendly : No last updated 17 August 2019 by Quinno _
- Function Room : Yes last updated 22 May 2017 by Aqualung .
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 17 August 2019 by Quinno _
- Jukebox : No last updated 17 August 2019 by Quinno _
- Karaoke : No last updated 17 August 2019 by Quinno _
- Live Music : No last updated 17 August 2019 by Quinno _
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 17 August 2019 by Quinno _
- Micropub : No last updated 17 August 2019 by Quinno _
- Pinball : No last updated 17 August 2019 by Quinno _
- Pool Table : No last updated 17 August 2019 by Quinno _
- Quiz Night : No last updated 17 August 2019 by Quinno _
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 17 August 2019 by Quinno _
- Real Cider : Yes last updated 17 August 2019 by Quinno _
- Wheelchair Access : Yes last updated 17 August 2019 by Quinno _
- WiFi : Yes last updated 17 August 2019 by Quinno _
