🇬🇧 Exeter, United Kingdom
Globe Backpackers Hostel
📍 71 Holloway Street, Exeter, EX4 4BP
Photo: official website
Your stay — Globe Backpackers Hostel
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 — Globe Backpackers Hostel
Globe Backpackers Hostel is a budget-friendly base with a sociable, no-frills vibe. The lobby feels like a busy student common room — noticeboard crammed with tour leaflets, mismatched sofas, and a stack of board games. It’s a solid pick for solo travellers or groups who want a central location and don’t mind shared bathrooms. You won’t get luxury, but you’ll get clean dorms, decent lockers, and a free breakfast of toast and cereal.
Chronicles of Exeter
Exeter began as a Roman fortress called Isca Dumnoniorum, and later became a major medieval wool trading centre. Its cathedral, built between the 12th and 14th centuries, dominates the skyline with its twin Norman towers. The city’s medieval heart was heavily damaged by WWII bombing, which led to 1960s concrete redevelopment — most notably the brutalist Princesshay shopping centre, rebuilt again in 2007. Today, Exeter balances a thriving university population with its historic quayside and growing tech sector.
Best Time to Visit
Full Exeter guide →Best months
May and June offer warm, dry weather (avg 18–20°C) and lighter crowds before the school summer holidays. September is also excellent — warm days, few queues, and the start of the arts festival.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak season, driven by school holidays and the Exeter Festival (late July). Hotel prices can jump 30–50%, and budget dorms often sell out. Expect queues at the cathedral and restaurants near the quay.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are ideal shoulder months: room rates drop 20%, weather is cool but often sunny (12–15°C), and attractions are quieter. October brings Literature Festival crowds but they’re manageable.
Weather & packing
Exeter’s climate is famously changeable — you can get sun, drizzle, and a stiff breeze all in one afternoon. Pack a waterproof jacket and a layering system (T-shirt, jumper, windbreaker) every day of the year.
Live City Briefing — Exeter
- Exeter’s new bus interchange at Paris Street opened late 2024, replacing the old one; route 4 from the station now stops outside the hostel.
- The city council is trialling pedestrianisation of Cathedral Yard on summer weekends, which means no car access but more café seating.
- A new craft ale bar, ‘The Tailor’s Tap’, opened on South Street in May 2025, popular with locals for its £4.50 pint of local cider.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Globe Backpackers Hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the third or fourth floor at the rear of the building (away from Holloway Street). These floors sit above street-level noise but are low enough to avoid potential roof-top disturbance. If possible, ask for a south-facing room for quieter sleep.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing Holloway Street – they catch pedestrian and traffic noise from the busy A3015. Also avoid rooms near the stairwell or lift shaft on any floor, as guest traffic can be loud until late.
Best views
From upper rear-facing rooms (floors 3-4), you might see the Exeter Cathedral tower over rooftops. Front-facing rooms have a direct view of Holloway Street’s traffic and shops – not scenic.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest – they’re far enough from the entrance and street, and in a 3-star hostel without a lift, there’s generally less footfall above floor 2.
🔊 Noise notes
Holloway Street is a main route into Exeter city centre with buses and cars from early morning (6am) until late evening. The hostel’s location on a corner means delivery trucks service nearby shops around 7-8am. On weekend nights, bars on Holloway Street (e.g., The Hourglass) generate chatter and music until 1am.
Insider tips
1. There’s no dedicated parking; use the Mary Arches Street car park (£5 overnight) a 5-min walk away. 2. Check-in can be busy at 4pm – request a late check-in to avoid queues, especially on Fridays.
- 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 — Globe Backpackers Hostel
Free WiFi throughout, sufficient for browsing and social media; login via room key and surname
No lift; all rooms accessed by stairs over three floors
No physical newspapers; free digital access to local news via a shared tablet in the common room
Check-in from 14:00; bag drop allowed from 08:00 at reception; late check-out possible until 12:00 for £10; check-out by 10:00 standard
Free storage in a locked room behind reception, same day only
No step-free access – one step at entrance; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms; stair-only building
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Mary Arches Street (EX4 3AZ), £8.50 for 24 hours; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a £10 cash card deposit for keys, refunded on check-out
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Synagogue: Exeter Synagogue (154 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: St Pancras' Church (167 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: St Mary Arches (192 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: St Petrock's Church (238 m · ~3 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
The Guildhall — 143 m · ~2 min walk
Priory Gardens Park — 290 m · ~4 min walk
Royal Albert Memorial Museum — 314 m · ~4 min walk
Exeter Little Theatre Co — 486 m · ~6 min walk
Looe Road Play Area — 864 m · ~11 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 101 m · ~1 min walk
Superdrug — 169 m · ~2 min walk
Tesco Express — 320 m · ~4 min walk
Exeter Central — 514 m · ~6 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →British Pound Sterling, GBP
Use high-street banks or Post Offices for better rates than airport bureaux; avoid tourist-area exchanges which charge poor rates.
Contactless cards and mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are nearly universal; cash still accepted but less common; chip-and-PIN still standard in some older establishments.
15-18% in restaurants if service not included; £1-2 for casual cafés; taxi drivers typically get 10%; hotel staff tipping is optional but appreciated (£1-2).
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Use Exeter's local bus network heavily—fares are low and day passes excellent value. Shop at Lidl or Aldi for groceries, and eat lunch at supermarket meal-deal counters. Walk the compact city centre to avoid transport costs; most attractions are within 20-30 minutes on foot.
Good to know — Exeter
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.75 · 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 Globe Backpackers Hostel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 101 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Superdrug — 169 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Globe Backpackers Hostel?
Request rooms on the third or fourth floor at the rear of the building (away from Holloway Street). These floors sit above street-level noise but are low enough to avoid potential roof-top disturbance. If possible, ask for a south-facing room for quieter sleep.
Which rooms should I avoid at Globe Backpackers Hostel?
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing Holloway Street – they catch pedestrian and traffic noise from the busy A3015. Also avoid rooms near the stairwell or lift shaft on any floor, as guest traffic can be loud until late.
Is Globe Backpackers Hostel noisy?
Holloway Street is a main route into Exeter city centre with buses and cars from early morning (6am) until late evening. The hostel’s location on a corner means delivery trucks service nearby shops around 7-8am. On weekend nights, bars on Holloway Street (e.g., The Hourglass) generate chatter and music until 1am.
Which rooms have the best views at Globe Backpackers Hostel?
From upper rear-facing rooms (floors 3-4), you might see the Exeter Cathedral tower over rooftops. Front-facing rooms have a direct view of Holloway Street’s traffic and shops – not scenic.
What are insider tips for staying at Globe Backpackers Hostel?
1. There’s no dedicated parking; use the Mary Arches Street car park (£5 overnight) a 5-min walk away. 2. Check-in can be busy at 4pm – request a late check-in to avoid queues, especially on Fridays.
What time is check-in at Globe Backpackers Hostel?
Check-in at Globe Backpackers Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Globe Backpackers Hostel have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout, sufficient for browsing and social media; login via room key and surname
Is there a city or tourist tax at Globe Backpackers Hostel?
None
When is the best time to visit Exeter?
May and June offer warm, dry weather (avg 18–20°C) and lighter crowds before the school summer holidays. September is also excellent — warm days, few queues, and the start of the arts festival.
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.