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Bridge Inn, Exeter
Topsham
Postal town: Exeter
EX3 0QQ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 9 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about Bridge Inn
A well regard pub on the outskirts of Topsham overlooking the river, and in fact, just a very short drive from J30 of the M5, this had been on my list for a while but it does not open all day and a previous attempt had unfortunately found it closed.
The pub consists of two rooms either side of a small hallway. The cosier, and smaller, of the two rooms is at the end of the hallway on the right, although the entrance door is not immediately obvious, blending seamlessly in to the wood panelled wall. The room is quite compact, with just four or five tables squeezed in, along with quite a small serving hatch. It can’t really be called a bar counter as there are no beer engines or anything else for dispensing drinks. Presumably they are poured directly from stillage elsewhere. Décor wise it’s very traditional with mustard colour painted wallpaper on the upper part of the walls and the ceiling and black painted wood panelling down below. What appeared a little like a church pew had a very high, curved back and this back actually formed part of the wall between the room and the hallway. A stone fireplace in one corner had a wood burning stove blazing away which was a nice touch, and next to this were a couple of rifles as well as some daggers and swords. Various strings of hops were string around, as well as a butterfly collection in a round frame, a few old pictures and a string of Union Jack flags that looked so old they could well have been there since the queen’s coronation. A small grandfather clock stood next to the serving hatch. Words don’t really do it justice, but I thought it had a really lovely ambience, and is definitely one of the best pubs I have been in. The other, larger room to the front of the pub didn’t seem quite as cosy, with large bay windows letting in plenty of light, but was nonetheless still a pleasant enough spot.
Due to the lack of pumps on the bar, selection was made from a printed menu which also helpfully included the ABV and tasting notes and the choice on this occasion was Salcombe Island Street Porter, Pitchfork Beer Ninja, Palmer’s 200, Teignworthy Thirsty Blonde and Branscombe Branoc. The solitary cider meanwhile was Branscombe Vale’s Flat Calm. Definitely a must visit if in the area, or perhaps even if you’re not.
On 15th February 2023
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1948 recommendations about 1861 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about Bridge Inn
This is an absolutely wonderful ale house on the fringes of town, next to the eponymous bridge that spans the River Clyst. My visit, coming well after the relaxation of all Covid measures across pubs in England, was nonetheless, defined by the measures that had been put in place after the pub first reopened post-lockdown. The entire front part of the pub - the part that visitors would normally be admitted into - remains closed, so I instead had to enter via the back of the garden, into a large but cosy rear room which is usually off-limits and only opened for special occasions. This remarkable space has a quarry stone floor, wonky whitewashed stone walls and an incredible high wood beamed ceiling. The bar is immediately to the left on entry, and has a nice dark wood counter and whitewashed brick bar back with old lamps and shelves holding barrels, mugs, steins, bottles, flags, candlesticks and other such bits and bobs. The canopy is draped with netting and has a great collection of earthenware bottles and some huge soda dispensers on display. Rugs throughout the room do a good job of dampening down noise, as do a couple of sofas opposite the bar, in front of an upright piano with what looked like a bedpan with potted plants inside on top. Tables and chairs run down one wall, broken by a fireplace with a crazy engine-like stove inside, whilst there are a series of screened booths along the back wall, with sofas, low stools and other such seating options inside. A high ledge along this wall has been decorated with a vast Delft chinaware collection, a few enamel jugs and some salvers, swinging round to follow the end wall too, where it passes above a fireplace which seemed to be out of action and had some more comfy lounge furniture in front of it. Another upright piano can be found back here, boasting some beautiful woodwork and a collection of impressive ornamental clocks on top. The front wall has been decorated with more earthenware items and a large beer bottle collection among other things. Alternative seating can be found outside in a riverside seating area with views of the bridge - a serving hatch saves punters from having to head inside each time they need a refill. The pub has the distinction of being one of two pubs officially visited by The Queen, who came here in 1998 - a full 39 years after she opened the Pied Piper pub in Stevenage in 1959.
The move into the rear room hasn’t affected the beer quality, as the friendly barmaids take orders from the new bar, but then run off to the original bar to pour the pints. The options on this visit were set out on a printed menu on the bar, and comprised Branscombe Branoc. Salcombe Pale, Hunters Royal Hunt and Hanlons Citra and Stormsay plus one Branscome cider. My Salcombe Pale was in excellent shape and demanded a follow-up, whilst the cheery bunch of CAMRA-type locals sat near the bar, were extolling the virtues of the Royal Hunt. I also noticed a food menu which majored on basic, hearty fayre such as sandwiches, ploughman's, pasties and soup.
Despite only seeing a fraction of what this pub has to offer, I was highly impressed and could quite happily have spent considerably longer here enjoying the great beer, unusual surroundings and convivial atmosphere. Whilst it’s frustrating that I missed out on the majority of the interior, it was nice that I experienced a part of the pub normally hidden from view, and will have to find a way of returning once things have returned to some semblance of normality. Don’t miss out on this one if you’re anywhere near the general vicinity - it’s a classic.
On 4th June 2022
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about Bridge Inn
It no longer the shocking pink colour from the 2018 photo!
I'd been looking forward to this one since reading about it in a couple of camra guides - including the 2022 GBG.
Closes during a Sunday Afternoon - but Google suggests it opens at 5:30pm. We arrived via the train and a walk at 5:37pm and it was in total darkness. All doors rattled and locked.
About to admit defeat when there was the best sound in the world, a bolt being scraped.
This was in the large bottom room - which I think may have been the Malthouse. In covid times, they haven't opened up the remainder of the pubs - which is a shame, as I love a pub mooch.
Four real ales detailed on a mobile board - no taps on the bar. The beer is served via gravity in the cellar. My jail ale was perfect.
A lovely chat with the two ladies running the show, including the 6th generation descent of the original licencee back in the 1897.
Exceptional, unique and well worth the visit.
On 24th November 2021
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1338 recommendations about 1324 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Bridge Inn
Remains a timeless classic. Live folk music on during my visit with a wonderful atmosphere. Had too much of a good time to make notes, but I enjoyed my ales from Yeovil and somewhere else(!) and had a good chat with a few of the locals. It’s one of the best pubs in the country.
February 2014
A nationally-renowned c16th multi-room heritage pub, overlooking the river Clyst. It has been in the same family for over a hundred years, remaining virtually unchanged during that time and the opening hours are those of 1914. Inside, up a few steps, you come to a corridor with a serving door to the right and a room off to the left, containing some vintage newspaper cartoon almanacs and plenty of old memorabilia. Carry through the corridor to a smaller rear room, which oozes history. There is a serving hatch, grandfather clock and an ancient (and impressive) tall dark wooden settle, along with a proper fire. Toilets are located outside. As befits a riverside pub, there’s some seating on the bank but the recent downpour rendered it unexplorable; however, I am informed that in more clement weather a serving hatch is opened to serve those sat outside. A collection of ales and ciders available on stillage, mainly from local micros; no keg bitter or lager here. I failed to note the three I imbibed but quality was pretty good bar one that was just a little lacklustre. Friendly and helpful staff at the hatch. Bar snacks available, I was pleased that my pickled eggs came with gratis fresh-ground black pepper. A quiet pub with no noise – even the conversations were semi-whispered. No mobile phones allowed, so make sure yours is switched to silent! This is a must-visit pub, akin to somewhere like the Bell in Aldworth; all pub-lovers should get here at least once and I intend to return. Rated 9
On 22nd April 2019
- rating: 10
[User has posted 5087 recommendations about 5070 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Bridge Inn
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'.
On 13th July 2014
- rating: 9
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
I L left this review about The Bridge Inn
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.
On 14th November 2011
- rating: 10
[User has posted 287 recommendations about 284 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Paris Hilton left this review about The Bridge Inn
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 15th January 2011
- rating: 9
[User has posted 78 recommendations about 62 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John Bonser left this review about The Bridge Inn
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.
On 5th October 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 560 recommendations about 560 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
train man left this review about Bridge Inn
Otter Head, Branscombe Branoc & Summa That, Palmers Copper Ale, Yeovil Summerset, Adnams Broadside, Cottleigh Honey Buzzard (went), all served from stillage in ‘cellar' beyond the small lounge which forms the servery & is a private area, albeit not obviously so, & one should not enter unless, as we were jovially told, ‘you want to do the washing up'. The next room on the right is the small bar/snug area with a hatch to the servery, and where you will find a list of the available beers (also listed in corridor & lounge), this snug has old flintlock rifles & swords hanging above an old fireplace with wood burning stove, pewter tankards haning at servery, assorted seating for ~15, little standing room, which would make queuing for the bar rather awkward. When I borrowed a pen to make some notes here, the landlady suddenly asked me to stop writing & brought over a clipboard, explaining that the table was 300yrs old, & even indentations of praise would be rather ruinous. The corridor (where one can also be a little awkwardly served) has a plaque mentioned the Queen's visit in '98. The room to the left of the corridor has an unchanged décor & something of the atmosphere of yer gran's lounge, albeit with seating for ~20, an old clock (hopefully with an audible tick when quieter), selection of books, a great photo of the pub, a notice by the then proprietor WJ Cibbings, stating ‘This room is prohibited from all amusments (sic) on Sunday', and a small notice re mobiles – ‘The Bridge is a place of conversation between people, not machines', some picnic sets outside and, although it was too dark to see the water, I can see this is a good riverside location & note mention of a serving hatch direct to garden, which must relieve a great deal of congestion on a fine day.
On arrival, a local had been recommending Otter Head (at 5.8%) but an hour later staggered off advising us not to touch the stuff – I wonder if that's what HerMaj. went for? ‘One will try a pint of your finest Otter Head…'
On 15th October 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 412 recommendations about 411 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gerald Scrivens left this review about The Bridge Inn
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!
On 14th October 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 47 recommendations about 45 pubs]