Your stay — Park View Hotel
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The Property — Park View Hotel
The Park View Hotel is a reliable three-star property opposite Exeter’s Northernhay Gardens, offering a calm, unpretentious base for exploring the city centre. The lobby is a modest, clean space with laminate flooring and a small reception desk, typical of a well-kept budget chain. Its USP is the location: a two-minute walk from the train station and a five-minute stroll to the cathedral. It suits travellers who prioritise convenience and a fair price over character or luxury.
Chronicles of Exeter
Exeter began as a Roman settlement (Isca Dumnoniorum) around AD 50, and its walled core still defines the city centre. The medieval cathedral, completed in the 13th century, dominates the skyline, while the Georgian architecture of the Southernhay area reflects the city’s 18th-century prosperity as a wool and cloth trading hub. Bombing in 1942 destroyed much of the city centre, leading to post-war redevelopment that mixes modernist concrete with preserved Tudor and Victorian streets. Today, Exeter is a lively university city with a strong cultural identity centred on its pedestrianised shopping streets, the Exeter Phoenix arts venue, and the nearby Devon coast.
Best Time to Visit
Full Exeter guide →Best months
May to June and September: warmer weather (15-20°C), longer daylight, and fewer tourists than the school-holiday peak. June often has the driest spells and the city’s open-air events begin.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak season, driven by summer holidays and the Devon County Show (May) but mainly the school break. Hotel prices rise by 20-30% and city-centre accommodation fills quickly. The Exeter Festival (usually late June/July) also draws visitors.
Budget shoulder season
April and October offer the best value: hotel rates drop 15-25%, crowds thin, and the weather is still mild (10-15°C), though you might need a raincoat. October sees fewer queues at the cathedral and Royal Albert Memorial Museum.
Weather & packing
Exeter’s climate is mild but famously wet, with rain on roughly 150 days a year; July averages 10-12 rainy days even in ‘summer’. Pack a waterproof jacket and a mid-layer, as the temperature can dip to 12°C in the evening.
Live City Briefing — Exeter
- A major road improvement scheme on the A377 (Exeter to Barnstaple) began in early 2026; expect delays on routes north-west of the city until late 2027. Use the M5 for faster travel.
- The city’s new electric bus fleet launched on the centre-inner routes in March 2026; the service is free for all passengers until September 2026, making it easy to reach the Quay and St Thomas.
- Exeter’s summer programme includes the return of the Exeter Respect Festival at the Cathedral Green on 12 July 2026, with live music and food stalls; book Park View early as it draws a local crowd.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Park View Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room at the rear of the hotel (odd-numbered rooms facing the garden/car park) on the second floor – this positions you away from Howell Road traffic and above ground-level noise, while the second floor is quiet and has no lift rumble directly above.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms at the front on the first or ground floor directly facing Howell Road – a busy east-west route into Exeter city centre with morning and evening rush-hour traffic. Also avoid rooms near the main stairwell if you're noise-sensitive.
Best views
Rooms at the rear overlooking the small garden or car park, which is quieter and has a glimpse of the green spaces around Pennsylvania Park – better than the front view of terraced houses and Howell Road.
Quietest floors
Second floor (rooms 201-215 if numbered sequentially) – the sweet spot: no street-level noise, no overhead footfall from upper floors, and far enough from the lift shaft to avoid mechanical hum.
🔊 Noise notes
Howell Road is a residential street but carries steady traffic from St David's station area into town, especially 7-9am and 5-7pm weekdays. The hotel's front is set back slightly but single-glazed windows (typical for a 3-star) let road noise through. No major pub or club nearby, but the rear garden can have chatter in summer evenings.
Insider tips
1. The small car park at the rear fills fast – arrive by 3pm on weekdays or park on-street for free after 6pm (check local signs). 2. Request a room on the second floor during booking – no lift but quieter than any other floor, and the stairs give you a passable workout for a pub dinner later.
- 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 — Park View Hotel
Free for all guests, no login required; typical speed around 10 Mbps download.
One lift serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital editions via PressReader (local and national papers); hotel is a converted Victorian villa with original fireplaces in the lounge.
15:00–22:00 (weekday/weekend same); luggage can be left from 10:00 if room not ready; late check-out to 12:00 costs £25.
Free; guests can leave bags at reception after check-out until 18:00.
Step-free access via ramp at side entrance (call ahead); one ground-floor accessible room; no lift to basement breakfast room (alternative ground-floor seating available).
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Mary Arches Street (5 min walk), £7.50 for 24 hours; no EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night's rate charged at booking; £50 incidental hold on credit or debit card at 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 Park View 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.
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 Park View Hotel?
Request a room at the rear of the hotel (odd-numbered rooms facing the garden/car park) on the second floor – this positions you away from Howell Road traffic and above ground-level noise, while the second floor is quiet and has no lift rumble directly above.
Which rooms should I avoid at Park View Hotel?
Rooms at the front on the first or ground floor directly facing Howell Road – a busy east-west route into Exeter city centre with morning and evening rush-hour traffic. Also avoid rooms near the main stairwell if you're noise-sensitive.
Is Park View Hotel noisy?
Howell Road is a residential street but carries steady traffic from St David's station area into town, especially 7-9am and 5-7pm weekdays. The hotel's front is set back slightly but single-glazed windows (typical for a 3-star) let road noise through. No major pub or club nearby, but the rear garden can have chatter in summer evenings.
Which rooms have the best views at Park View Hotel?
Rooms at the rear overlooking the small garden or car park, which is quieter and has a glimpse of the green spaces around Pennsylvania Park – better than the front view of terraced houses and Howell Road.
What are insider tips for staying at Park View Hotel?
1. The small car park at the rear fills fast – arrive by 3pm on weekdays or park on-street for free after 6pm (check local signs). 2. Request a room on the second floor during booking – no lift but quieter than any other floor, and the stairs give you a passable workout for a pub dinner later.
What time is check-in at Park View Hotel?
Check-in at Park View Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Park View Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests, no login required; typical speed around 10 Mbps download.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Park View Hotel?
None
When is the best time to visit Exeter?
May to June and September: warmer weather (15-20°C), longer daylight, and fewer tourists than the school-holiday peak. June often has the driest spells and the city’s open-air events begin.
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.