🇬🇧 Exeter, United Kingdom
Premier Inn
📍 2, Southernhay Gardens, Exeter, EX1 1SG
Your stay — Premier Inn
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 — Premier Inn
The Premier Inn Exeter City Centre is a reliable, no-fuss base. Its lobby is clean, bright and functional, with a small bar and check-in desks; you're not here for character but for a solid night's sleep and a decent breakfast. It suits budget-conscious travellers, families or anyone wanting a predictable chain hotel right by the main shopping streets and cathedral.
Chronicles of Exeter
Exeter began as a Roman settlement, Isca Dumnoniorum, and its city walls still trace the original route. The Norman Exeter Cathedral, completed in 1400, dominates the skyline, and the underground passage network—medieval water channels—can still be visited. Today, Exeter is a compact university city with a strong literary heritage (J. K. Rowling lived here) and a growing food scene focused on local Devon produce.
Best Time to Visit
Full Exeter guide →Best months
May to June: pleasant 14-19°C, long daylight, fewer tourist crowds than July-August. September also works for warm days and quieter attractions.
Peak / festival surge
July: summertime peak, with school holidays, the Exeter Festival (music, theatre, street events) and warm weather pushing hotel prices 30-50% above shoulder rates. Book this Premier Inn well in advance for July stays.
Budget shoulder season
Late April and October: mild weather, lower occupancy, and discounted room rates. You dodge the summer rush and still have half-decent chances of dry days.
Weather & packing
Exeter's climate is mild and maritime, so expect rain any day even in summer—an umbrella or waterproof jacket is non-negotiable. Pack layers: a lightweight jumper for cool evenings, plus a raincoat or compact umbrella.
Live City Briefing — Exeter
- The city's new bus station at Paris Street opened in 2023, improving connections to the railway and park-and-ride sites; check the Stagecoach app for summer timetable changes.
- Exeter's 'Cathedral Green' area is pedestrianised year-round; new seasonal pop-up food stalls have appeared here since 2025, offering local cider and pasties.
- The historic Underground Passages are open for guided tours, but booking ahead is advised for July as capacity is limited.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Premier Inn, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 2 to 4 at the rear of the building, overlooking the gardens rather than Southernhay Gardens. The upper floors reduce street-level rumble, and the garden side is quieter.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (street-level noise and foot traffic) and any room facing Southernhay Gardens directly — this is a main road into Exeter city centre with traffic from early morning.
Best views
Views from the garden-side rooms on floors 2–4 overlook the private Southernhay Gardens (a historic park) — green and calm. Street-side rooms see the busy A3015.
Quietest floors
Floors 2–4 are the quietest; higher floors may have less street noise but could pick up lift noise if near the lift shaft.
🔊 Noise notes
Southernhay Gardens is a main route into Exeter, so traffic noise is constant from about 6am to 7pm. The hotel has no bar or restaurant reported, so internal noise is minimal except for lift and corridor traffic.
Insider tips
1. If driving, the hotel has no on-site parking; use the Mary Arches Street car park (a 5-minute walk) or the Exeter Quay Park & Ride. 2. Request a room on the garden side when booking — they are noticeably quieter and have a pleasant view of the park.
- 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 — Premier Inn
Free unlimited Wi-Fi for all guests, typical speed 10-15 Mbps; no login required (open network named 'Premier Inn Guest')
One lift serves all four floors plus basement breakfast room; no stairs-only sections
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand; building is a 1990s modern block, no heritage quirks
Check-in from 14:00 (weekend 15:00 due to cleaning shift); early bag drop allowed from 10:00; late checkout until 12:00 free, then £20 per hour until 14:00
Free, left at luggage room behind reception; collect key card from desk
Step-free main entrance via ramp; lift to all floors; accessible rooms on ground floor with wider doors and roll-in shower; no hearing loop
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is John Lewis Car Park (50m) at £12/night (20:00-08:00), or Exeter Quay Car Park (10 min walk) at £8/night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (included in room rate)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; £50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
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 exchange services which charge poor commissions
Card and contactless payment are standard everywhere; chip-and-PIN or contactless tap common; mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) widely accepted
10-15% in restaurants if service not included; £1-2 for taxis is customary but not obligatory; hotel staff typically expect £1-2 per night if service is good
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Use Stagecoach day passes for unlimited bus travel rather than individual journeys. Supermarket meal deals offer best value for quick lunches. Most city-centre attractions and Cathedral are free or low-cost; check for free museum hours or student discounts.
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 Premier Inn
🕒 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 Premier Inn?
Request a room on floors 2 to 4 at the rear of the building, overlooking the gardens rather than Southernhay Gardens. The upper floors reduce street-level rumble, and the garden side is quieter.
Which rooms should I avoid at Premier Inn?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (street-level noise and foot traffic) and any room facing Southernhay Gardens directly — this is a main road into Exeter city centre with traffic from early morning.
Is Premier Inn noisy?
Southernhay Gardens is a main route into Exeter, so traffic noise is constant from about 6am to 7pm. The hotel has no bar or restaurant reported, so internal noise is minimal except for lift and corridor traffic.
Which rooms have the best views at Premier Inn?
Views from the garden-side rooms on floors 2–4 overlook the private Southernhay Gardens (a historic park) — green and calm. Street-side rooms see the busy A3015.
What are insider tips for staying at Premier Inn?
1. If driving, the hotel has no on-site parking; use the Mary Arches Street car park (a 5-minute walk) or the Exeter Quay Park & Ride. 2. Request a room on the garden side when booking — they are noticeably quieter and have a pleasant view of the park.
What time is check-in at Premier Inn?
Check-in at Premier Inn is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Premier Inn have Wi-Fi?
Free unlimited Wi-Fi for all guests, typical speed 10-15 Mbps; no login required (open network named 'Premier Inn Guest')
Is there a city or tourist tax at Premier Inn?
None (included in room rate)
When is the best time to visit Exeter?
May to June: pleasant 14-19°C, long daylight, fewer tourist crowds than July-August. September also works for warm days and quieter attractions.
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.