🇬🇧 Exeter, United Kingdom
Oakcliffe Hotel
📍 73, St Davids Hill, Exeter, EX4 4DW
Your stay — Oakcliffe 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 — Oakcliffe Hotel
The Oakcliffe Hotel is a practical, no-frills 3-star set in a quiet residential street, a short walk from St David's station and Exeter's city centre. The lobby feels like a functional guesthouse: clean carpets, a small reception desk, and a breakfast room serving the cooked-to-order full English that's the property's main draw. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want a solid base near the railway, and don't need a gym, bar or restaurant beyond morning eggs.
Chronicles of Exeter
Exeter grew from a Roman settlement called Isca Dumnoniorum, whose city wall still stands. The Normans built the imposing Rougemont Castle, but the city's heart is its magnificent Gothic cathedral, begun in the 12th century. Victorian planners added the neo-Gothic Guildhall and the grand Royal Albert Memorial Museum, while the 1942 Baedeker Blitz gutted much of the centre, leading to 1960s concrete rebuilds that locals still lament. Today, Exeter blends student buzz (University of Exeter is a strong draw) with a compact historic core of indie shops, cider pubs and an emerging food scene focused on Devon produce.
Best Time to Visit
Full Exeter guide →Best months
MayJuneSeptember
Peak / festival surge
July–August. Summer holiday season brings families and tourists, plus the Exeter Respect Festival (late July) and the Devon County Show (May, but spills into summer buzz). Hotel prices can jump 30–40% above shoulder rates, and city-centre car parks fill by mid-morning.
Budget shoulder season
April and October. Milder weather, smaller crowds, and room rates often 20–25% lower than peak summer. October's Exeter Festival of Comedy adds a lively note without the volume of summer.
Weather & packing
Exeter has a mild oceanic climate that can shift from sunny 22°C to drizzly 14°C in an afternoon. Always pack a waterproof jacket and layers, even in July.
Live City Briefing — Exeter
- Exeter's new bus interchange at Paris Street opened in summer 2025, improving links to the airport and Dartmoor; check for any lingering road closures around Queen Street.
- The Royal Albert Memorial Museum's summer 2026 exhibition is on 'Devon's Global Trade' – worth a visit for the building alone.
- Note that the Exeter to Paddington train line is due for engineering work on the weekend of 3–4 July 2026; check GWR for replacement bus services between Exeter and Taunton.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Oakcliffe Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the rear of the building (away from St Davids Hill). These floors are high enough to cut ground-level street noise and the rear aspect avoids the main road.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor and any with a front-facing window onto St Davids Hill. The road is a main route into Exeter, so early traffic and delivery trucks generate significant noise at lower levels.
Best views
The rear rooms offer a view over Exeter’s rooftops and maybe a glimpse of the cathedral spire – but don’t expect more than a pleasant urban outlook. Front rooms look directly onto St Davids Hill traffic.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4.
🔊 Noise notes
St Davids Hill is a main road with buses, lorries, and early-morning traffic. The hotel’s own bar or lounge area may also generate chatter until late evening. No lift noise as the building likely has stairs only or a small internal lift – but stairs can act as sound channels.
Insider tips
1. If you drive, ask ahead about on-street parking permits – St Davids Hill has parking restrictions during weekdays. 2. The hotel is a short walk from St Davids Station, so arriving by train saves you traffic hassle.
- 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 — Oakcliffe Hotel
Free for all guests. One device per booking, speed ~15 Mbps download. No login – use room number and surname. Not suitable for video streaming.
No passenger lift. Three-storey Victorian townhouse; rooms on floors 1 and 2 accessed only by stairs.
No complimentary digital newsstand. No physical papers. Building is a converted 19th-century townhouse with original fireplaces in common areas.
Check-in from 15:00. Early bag drop allowed from 12:00 if room not ready (luggage stored). Late check-out until 12:00 free; after 12:00 charged £25 subject to availability.
Free, at reception; unsecured open rack behind front desk. Collect by 22:00 day of departure.
No step-free access: two steps at main entrance. No lift and narrow doorways. Two ground-floor rooms with wide door (room 4 and 5), but no ensuite wheelchair bathroom. Not suitable for mobility-impaired guests.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is John Lewis car park (EX4 3SF), £8 for 24h. Limited free on-street parking on surrounding streets (St Germans Road, 2hr max 08:00-18:00). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Exeter does not levy a city tax for stays under 28 nights)
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking for non-refundable rates; refundable rates require credit card guarantee. A £50 incidental hold is placed on check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St David's Church (436 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: St. Andrew (675 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: St Michael and All Angels' Church (880 m · ~11 min walk)
- Church: Mary Harris Memorial Chapel of the Holy Trinity (905 m · ~11 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
The Guildhall — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Bury Meadow Park — 513 m · ~6 min walk
The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum — 914 m · ~11 min walk
Exeter Northcott Theatre — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Looe Road Play Area — 291 m · ~4 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 107 m · ~1 min walk
Exwick Pharmacy — 539 m · ~7 min walk
The Shop — 91 m · ~1 min walk
Exeter St Davids — 146 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →British Pound Sterling, GBP
Use ATMs at banks or supermarkets for best rates; avoid airport exchange bureaux and tourist-area money changers which charge poor rates; Pound Shop and supermarkets also exchange currency but rates vary.
Contactless cards and mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are standard everywhere; cash is increasingly optional but some smaller venues still prefer it.
10-15% in restaurants if service wasn't included; rounding up or £1-2 for casual cafés; taxi drivers usually expect rounding up to nearest pound; hotel staff appreciate £1-2 for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Buy groceries at Lidl/Aldi instead of Tesco/Sainsbury's for 20-30% savings on basics. Use supermarket meal deals for lunch (under £5 vs £8-10 at cafés). Walk or cycle the compact EX4 area—most attractions within 15-20 minutes on foot; bus pass pays for itself after 3-4 journeys.
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 Oakcliffe Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 107 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Exwick Pharmacy — 539 m · ~7 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 Oakcliffe Hotel?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the rear of the building (away from St Davids Hill). These floors are high enough to cut ground-level street noise and the rear aspect avoids the main road.
Which rooms should I avoid at Oakcliffe Hotel?
Avoid rooms on the first floor and any with a front-facing window onto St Davids Hill. The road is a main route into Exeter, so early traffic and delivery trucks generate significant noise at lower levels.
Is Oakcliffe Hotel noisy?
St Davids Hill is a main road with buses, lorries, and early-morning traffic. The hotel’s own bar or lounge area may also generate chatter until late evening. No lift noise as the building likely has stairs only or a small internal lift – but stairs can act as sound channels.
Which rooms have the best views at Oakcliffe Hotel?
The rear rooms offer a view over Exeter’s rooftops and maybe a glimpse of the cathedral spire – but don’t expect more than a pleasant urban outlook. Front rooms look directly onto St Davids Hill traffic.
What are insider tips for staying at Oakcliffe Hotel?
1. If you drive, ask ahead about on-street parking permits – St Davids Hill has parking restrictions during weekdays. 2. The hotel is a short walk from St Davids Station, so arriving by train saves you traffic hassle.
What time is check-in at Oakcliffe Hotel?
Check-in at Oakcliffe Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Oakcliffe Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests. One device per booking, speed ~15 Mbps download. No login – use room number and surname. Not suitable for video streaming.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Oakcliffe Hotel?
None (Exeter does not levy a city tax for stays under 28 nights)
When is the best time to visit Exeter?
MayJuneSeptember
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.