Old Exeter Inn

19/09/2026

Arrrrr you thirsty? 🏴‍☠️🥃

It’s Talk Like a Pirate Day, and frankly we’ve been waiting all year for an excuse to show off the rum collection.

Dark rum. Spiced rum. Golden rum.
Rum for pirates. Rum for landlubbers. And rum for people who have absolutely no intention of talking like a pirate. 😂

So if you’re looking for a historic pub in Ashburton, Devon, with a rather impressive selection of rum…

You know where to drop anchor. ⚓️

📍 Old Exeter Inn, Ashburton
What’s your rum of choice?

15/09/2026

Well, this rather made our day… 🥧🍺

Writer Katherine Gannon travelled down from London to visit the Old Exeter Inn for Luxe Beat Magazine — and it seems we made quite an impression.

“Arguably the best pie and chips in Devon.”

“A genuine historical experience and a properly good meal in equal measure.”

And one observation that made us smile…

“Rammed on a Monday.” 😂

Katherine came for the history, stayed for the food, and captured rather beautifully what we try to do here — keep a very old pub very much alive.

Nine centuries of stories. Proper food. Good drink. Candlelight, character and a warm welcome.

And after travelling all the way from London, her verdict?

“Worth the journey.”

We’ll happily take that. ❤️🍺

A huge thank you to Katherine Gannon and Luxe Beat Magazine for making the journey to Ashburton and for such a wonderful feature.

📍 Old Exeter Inn, Ashburton

14/09/2026

12/09/2026

A little bit of national recognition for a very old pub… 🍺✨

We’re delighted that the Old Exeter Inn has been included in CAMRA’s national Outstanding Conversions and Restorations project, celebrating pubs of outstanding architectural or design quality across the UK.

CAMRA describes the work here as “painstaking restorations sympathetic to the heritage of the building.”

And that really matters to us.

Since taking on the Old Exeter in 2019, David and the team have spent seven years carefully bringing it back — not by making it new, but by preserving what makes it old.

The original woodwork. Stone fireplaces. Flagstone passage. High-backed settle. Little candlelit rooms. Casks on stillage. The passage leading through to the walled garden.

As David puts it, much of the work has been about “putting things back rather than adding anything.”

Because a historic pub isn’t preserved by turning it into a museum.

It’s preserved by keeping the doors open, the beer pouring and the stories alive. 🍺

And after almost 900 years, that’s exactly what we intend to keep doing.

📍 Old Exeter Inn, Ashburton
England’s historic pie house • Est. 1130 AD

06/09/2026

Order a pie at the Old Exeter Inn and you may find yourself being asked one of our favourite questions…

“Would you like a sausage with that?”

Because apparently a large handmade shortcrust pie, mash or beef-dripping chips, Yorkshire pudding, crackling, fresh vegetables and port gravy can still benefit from the addition of a rather splendid Regency Banger. 😄

And who are we to argue?

After nearly nine centuries, we know a thing or two about a proper feed.

Pie? Absolutely.
Sausage with it? Yes please!

📍 The Old Exeter Inn, Ashburton
England’s Historic Pie House • Est. 1130 AD

03/09/2026

We’re growing — and so is our team! 🍺🥧

Due to continued growth at the Old Exeter Inn, we’re looking for some brilliant people to come and join us.

We’re currently recruiting for a full-time Assistant Manager, with a minimum of five years’ hospitality experience, plus Front of House team members for both full and part-time hours. Training will be provided for Front of House roles.

If you love good food, proper pubs, meeting people and the idea of working somewhere with rather a lot of history in the walls, we’d love to hear from you.

For salary information and further details, please email your CV to [email protected]

Know someone who’d be perfect? Please tag them or share this post.

03/09/2026

FRESH ON THE PUMP 🖤

Black Gates 4.1% Nitro Stout, straight from Bristol Beer Factory, now pouring at The Old Exeter Inn, Ashburton.

Every pint puts money back into an independent Bristol brewery — and backs your local landlord too. Delivered direct, we cut out the middleman so pubs get the best price, and pass the saving on to you.

📍 Pull up a stool and get one in.

26/08/2025

Happy International Dog Day

At England’s Historic Pie House, we believe history — and time spent relaxing — is always better shared, especially with your four-legged friends.

VIPs (Very Important Pooches) are always welcome here:
• A special dog beer barrel (fresh H₂O) waiting in the garden
• Treats at the bar for our furry companions
• Cosy corners and a secret garden perfect for wagging tails

Because life’s too short not to share pies, pints, and history with your best friend.

23/08/2025

A Luscombe line-up
Devon’s finest soft drinks, ready to sip or mix.

So tell us… what would you pair them with?
• Elderflower Bubbly + Gin = A classic Devon G&T twist
• Rhubarb Crush + Vodka = Sharp, fresh and pink
• Mango & Peach Crush + Rum = Sunshine in a glass
• Strawberry Crush + Champagne = Pure celebration fizz
• Or simply ice-cold on their own = perfection

What’s your go-to mix? Drop it in the comments below.