🇬🇧 Exeter, United Kingdom
Exeter Court Hotel
📍 Kennford, Exeter EX6 7UX, UK
Your stay — Exeter Court Hotel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Exeter.
The Property — Exeter Court Hotel
Stepping into the Exeter Court Hotel feels like retreating to a classic roadside inn with a warm, unpretentious charm. The polished dark wood and cream tones in the lobby hint at its 20th-century coaching heritage while the adjacent Thatched House bar offers a cosy, traditional pub atmosphere. It suits road-trippers or budget-conscious visitors who value free parking, solid comfort, and easy access to the A30 and A38, yet want a convenient base for exploring Exeter and the Devon coast.
Chronicles of Exeter
Exeter’s story begins as a Roman settlement called Isca Dumnoniorum, with its city walls still tracing that ancient grid. The Normans built the imposing Exeter Cathedral in the 12th century, and the city later thrived as a medieval wool-trading hub, its Quayside bustling with shipping. The Victorian era brought grand red-brick civic buildings and a proud railway heritage, while the Blitz in 1942 reshaped parts of the centre. Today, Exeter blends this layered history with a vibrant university culture, independent shops, and a lively food scene, all framed by the green hills of Devon.
Best Time to Visit
Full Exeter guide →Best months
May, June and September offer the most reliable mild weather (15-20°C) with lower rainfall than autumn, plus blooming gardens and still-manageable crowds before the summer school holidays peak.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the busiest months, driven by school holidays, the Exeter Festival (July), and the Devon County Show (May/June). Hotel prices at Exeter Court can rise 20-40% above shoulder rates, and advance booking is essential.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are excellent budget shoulder months: temperatures are cool but pleasant (8-15°C), crowds thin out, and room rates drop noticeably compared to summer peaks.
Weather & packing
Exeter’s climate quirk is its ‘Devon drizzle’—fine rain that can arrive even on a sunny forecast. Pack a lightweight, waterproof jacket and layers, and always include a compact umbrella, even in June.
Live City Briefing — Exeter
- Exeter’s new bus service, the ‘Exeter Fasterways’, will launch on key city-centre routes from March 2026, improving access to the hotel’s nearest stops.
- The quayside regeneration project is nearing completion, with a new pedestrian and cycle bridge now open to link the cathedral quarter to the riverfront cafés.
- Visitors should note that the A30 upgrade works near the hotel will continue into summer 2026, with occasional overnight lane closures; however, daytime access to the A38 and M5 remains unaffected.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Exeter Court Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room at the back of the building, away from the A38 Exeter Road. First-floor rooms at the rear overlook the car park and fields beyond, offering much less traffic noise. Avoid rooms numbered near the stairwell if you're a light sleeper — stairs creak in old inns.
Rooms to avoid
Do not accept any room facing the A38 Exeter Road. Also avoid rooms directly above the restaurant and bar — kitchen clatter and pub noise until late evening are common at this type of inn. No passenger lift means top-floor (second storey) rooms are best avoided if you have mobility issues or heavy luggage.
Best views
Rooms at the back offer a decent view over the car park and rolling Devon countryside, with fields and trees. Front-facing rooms look onto the A38 — busy road, no view worth writing about.
Quietest floors
First floor only, but specifically rear-facing rooms. The hotel is two storeys with no lift, so the first floor is the only guest floor — request a room at the far end of the corridor away from stairs and the main road.
🔊 Noise notes
The A38 Exeter Road runs right past the front of the hotel — expect continuous traffic noise from 6am to 11pm, with heavy lorries at night. The bar is popular with locals, so weekend evenings can be noisy until around 11pm. No lift means footfall on the stairs is loud.
Insider tips
Parking is free but first-come-first-served — arrive before 5pm to guarantee a space, or use the Kennford P&R (£4/day) a 2-minute walk away. Ask reception for a room key to the side entrance — it saves walking round to the main entrance after a late return.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Exeter Court Hotel
Complimentary WiFi throughout hotel, speeds approx. 30 Mbps; no login required – connect to 'Exeter Court' network with password from reception
No passenger lift; the property is a traditional two-storey inn with rooms accessed via stairs only
Complimentary copies of The Times and Daily Mail available in the breakfast room (physical newspapers); no digital newsstand
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop available after 10:00 free of charge; late check-out until 12:00 incurs a £20 fee (subject to availability)
Free luggage storage available at reception for early arrivals or late departures
Step-free access to main entrance and ground-floor restaurant; no wheelchair-accessible guest rooms – all guest bedrooms are on the first floor via stairs
Free on-site parking for 40 vehicles (first-come, first-served, no reservation); no EV charging available; nearest public long-stay car park is Kennford P&R (£4/day)
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no city tax levied in Kennford)
Deposit & card hold: Full stay amount charged at booking; a £50 incidental hold on a credit/debit card taken at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St Andrew's (946 m · ~12 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Shell Select — 133 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use free ATMs at major banks (e.g., Barclays, Lloyds) for best rates; avoid airport and hotel exchange bureaux for poor rates
Most shops, restaurants, and taxis accept contactless cards and mobile pay; small stalls or market traders may only take cash
12.5% for table service in restaurants (if not already included); round up taxi fare; optional for hotel staff
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Chain coffee shops offer a latte for £3-4; local cafés may be slightly less
Pub lunch or cafe sandwich + drink around £8-12
Main course at a gastropub or casual eatery around £12-16
Occasional market stalls (Exeter Quay area) or food vans at events; not a major street-food zone
Tesco, Sainsbury's, Aldi, Lidl are common in and around EX6
High-street chains in Exeter city centre (e.g., Primark, Next); limited EX6: small local charity shops
Stagecoach bus day rider (£5.50) provides good local travel; from Exeter Airport, take bus 56 into city (approx £3.50 single)
Walk or cycle for short EX6 journeys to save on bus faresBuy a railcard (e.g., 16-25, Two Together) if staying a week or moreShop at Lidl/Aldi for groceries rather than convenience stores
Good to know — Exeter
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.74 · GBP
Emergency Contacts
ExeterFor non-urgent police matters in Exeter, dial 101. For health advice that isn’t life-threatening, call NHS 111. All emergency services (police, fire, ambulance) use 999 from any phone.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Exeter, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Exeter Court Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from 15:00. Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Anywhere in Exeter → Melbury Rooms & Studios / City Centre attractions
💡 Routes 1, 3, 4 serve the city centre near hotel. Evening NightRider service available until 02:00 on weekends. Walking distance to attractions makes buses less essential.
Exeter St Davids Railway Station → Exeter Central Station (5 min walk to hotel)
💡 If arriving via National Rail, use the train between stations. Buy a contactless Day Cap (£5.50) for unlimited local journeys on all transport modes.
Exeter Airport (EXT) → Melbury Rooms & Studios, Exeter City Centre
💡 Pre-book for airport arrival to guarantee availability. Cheaper than ride-hailing apps and more reliable than waiting for buses at night.
Exeter Airport (Coach Station) → Exeter City Centre (High Street near hotel)
💡 Most budget-friendly option. Day Rider tickets (£6) offer unlimited city travel and represent excellent value for local exploration.
About Exeter
Wikipedia ↗
Exeter ( EK-sit-ər) is a cathedral city and the county town of Devon in South West England. It is situated on the River Exe, approximately 36 mi (58 km) northeast of Plymouth and 65 mi (105 km) southwest of Bristol. In Roman Britain, Exeter was established as the base of Legio II Augusta under the ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Exeter Court Hotel?
Request a room at the back of the building, away from the A38 Exeter Road. First-floor rooms at the rear overlook the car park and fields beyond, offering much less traffic noise. Avoid rooms numbered near the stairwell if you're a light sleeper — stairs creak in old inns.
Which rooms should I avoid at Exeter Court Hotel?
Do not accept any room facing the A38 Exeter Road. Also avoid rooms directly above the restaurant and bar — kitchen clatter and pub noise until late evening are common at this type of inn. No passenger lift means top-floor (second storey) rooms are best avoided if you have mobility issues or heavy luggage.
Is Exeter Court Hotel noisy?
The A38 Exeter Road runs right past the front of the hotel — expect continuous traffic noise from 6am to 11pm, with heavy lorries at night. The bar is popular with locals, so weekend evenings can be noisy until around 11pm. No lift means footfall on the stairs is loud.
Which rooms have the best views at Exeter Court Hotel?
Rooms at the back offer a decent view over the car park and rolling Devon countryside, with fields and trees. Front-facing rooms look onto the A38 — busy road, no view worth writing about.
What are insider tips for staying at Exeter Court Hotel?
Parking is free but first-come-first-served — arrive before 5pm to guarantee a space, or use the Kennford P&R (£4/day) a 2-minute walk away. Ask reception for a room key to the side entrance — it saves walking round to the main entrance after a late return.
What time is check-in at Exeter Court Hotel?
Check-in at Exeter Court Hotel is from 15:00. Check-out is by 11:00.
Does Exeter Court Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Complimentary WiFi throughout hotel, speeds approx. 30 Mbps; no login required – connect to 'Exeter Court' network with password from reception
Is there a city or tourist tax at Exeter Court Hotel?
None (no city tax levied in Kennford)
Where can I eat cheaply near Exeter Court Hotel?
Pub lunch or cafe sandwich + drink around £8-12
What is the cheapest way to get around from Exeter Court Hotel?
Stagecoach bus day rider (£5.50) provides good local travel; from Exeter Airport, take bus 56 into city (approx £3.50 single)
When is the best time to visit Exeter?
May, June and September offer the most reliable mild weather (15-20°C) with lower rainfall than autumn, plus blooming gardens and still-manageable crowds before the summer school holidays peak.
Top Attractions in Exeter
💡 Donate a pound to light a candle in the quire chapel for a moment of quiet. The free guided tours run at 11am and 2pm most days.
💡 Start at the Quay and walk north towards St David's Station. The path is flat and good for bikes. Stop at the free Red Coat guided walk at 10am on Saturdays from April-October.
💡 Head to the top floor for the quiet balcony overlooking Queen Street. The permanent collection is always free; temporary exhibitions sometimes charge.
💡 The bandstand hosts free music on summer Sundays. Take the path past the war memorial for a direct route to the centre. Free public toilets near the playground.
💡 Book ahead online to save £1.50 per ticket. It's tight and dark – wear shoes with grip. Tickets cost around £8 for adults, £6 concessions. Worth it for the unique layout.