Your stay — The Salutation Inn
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The Property — The Salutation Inn
The Salutation Inn is a stone-built 13th-century coaching inn with low oak beams, open fires, and a proper pub feel rather than hushed hotel. Expect creaky floors, real ales, and a bar where locals still drink — not a polished boutique. It best suits travellers who want a characterful base close to Exeter’s cathedral and quayside, with good food and no pretence.
Chronicles of Exeter
Exeter began as a Roman settlement called Isca Dumnoniorum, later fortified by the Saxons and Normans. Its medieval wealth came from the wool trade, visible in the 14th-century cathedral and the underground passages that once carried water through the city centre. The Victorian era brought heavy railway and industrial expansion, but the Luftwaffe destroyed much of the city centre in 1942, leading to a 1950s rebuild that still frustrates. Today Exeter is a relatively compact university city with a lively food scene and a growing reputation as a gateway to Dartmoor and the Jurassic Coast.
Best Time to Visit
Full Exeter guide →Best months
May, June and September – warm but not stifling, fewer tourists than July–August, and the gardens are at their best.
Peak / festival surge
July (Exeter Festival) and August (school holidays). Hotel prices can rise 30–50% above shoulder-season rates; book the Salutation Inn well ahead. The main draws are the summer festivals and family trips to the coast.
Budget shoulder season
April and October offer milder weather (10–15°C, some rain), lower room rates, and sparse crowds. April has daffodils; October has autumn colours and quieter pubs.
Weather & packing
Exeter’s maritime climate means it can rain any day of the year, even in July. Pack a waterproof jacket and a light fleece, and always bring a pair of sturdy walking shoes for wet streets and muddy footpaths.
Live City Briefing — Exeter
- Exeter’s major road improvement scheme on the A30/A38 junction near the city is ongoing, with weekend closures expected through summer 2026; check local traffic updates if driving.
- The Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) has extended its ‘Exeter Through Time’ exhibition until September 2026, featuring local Roman and medieval finds.
- July 2026 marks the return of the Exeter Respect Festival (22–23 July) on Cathedral Green, a free multicultural music and food event that draws large crowds.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The Salutation Inn, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first or second floor at the rear of the building, away from Fore Street. These are likely quieter due to less street noise and still accessible by stairs or the small lift typical for a 3-star Exeter inn.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms at the front of the hotel overlooking Fore Street, especially on the ground floor, as they will pick up traffic and pedestrian noise from this main road. Also skip rooms near the bar or breakfast area on the ground floor if you want quiet.
Best views
The rear rooms offer a view over the garden or courtyard (a common feature in Exeter coaching inns). The front rooms on Fore Street have a view of the historic street but that's trade-off for noise.
Quietest floors
First and second floors, especially rooms facing away from the street. The third floor may be quieter from street level but check you're not directly under a roof or attic space with creaking.
🔊 Noise notes
Fore Street is a busy road in Topsham, with traffic from early morning until late evening. The hotel's bar can be lively until closing, especially on weekends. Service entrance noise from deliveries may occur early (7-9am).
Insider tips
1. Park in the hotel's own car park if available—Topsham's street parking is limited. 2. Request a room with a bath if you want a proper soak; many 3-star inns have basic showers but a bath is a bonus in Exeter's damp weather.
- 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 — The Salutation Inn
Free basic WiFi; speed sufficient for browsing and email, not streaming or video calls
No lift; bedrooms on first and second floors via stairs only
Complimentary digital PressReader via QR code at reception; no physical papers
Check-in 15:00–21:00; early bag drop by arrangement; late checkout £20 until 12:00 (weekend only)
Free if arriving before check-in; otherwise by prior arrangement with reception
No step-free access to main entrance (one step); no ground-floor bedrooms; no accessible bathroom
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Elm Grove Car Park (5-min walk), £6 per 24h; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; £50 incidental hold on card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Saint Nicholas (61 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: St Margarets (112 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: Topsham Gospel Church (203 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Holy Cross Church (472 m · ~6 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Launching Spot for SUP, Kayak etc — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Topsham Museum — 646 m · ~8 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 399 m · ~5 min walk
Topsham Pharmacy — 36 m · ~1 min walk
Co-op Food — 32 m · ~1 min walk
Topsham — 362 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →British Pound (GBP)
GBP is the local currency and widely accepted. Travelex and currency exchange offices at the airport offer poor exchange rates; it's better to exchange at a local high-street bank or a specialist currency exchange service. ATMs are readily available and dispense GBP, with a maximum withdrawal limit of £200.
Visa, Mastercard, and contactless payments are widely accepted in Exeter city centre, including many small shops and cafes. Mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay are also accepted at many merchants.
Tipping in the UK is generally low, but 5-10% in restaurants and pubs is considered polite. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, but rounding up the fare is appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical cheap coffee can be found for around £1.50-£2.50 at a local café or bakery.
A budget-friendly lunch option is a sandwich or wrap from a local bakery or supermarket, costing around £3-£5.
A cheap dinner option is a pub meal, with a main course costing around £8-£12.
Street food is not a prominent feature in Exeter, but there are some food vans and stalls at events and festivals.
Budget supermarket chains like Aldi and Lidl have stores in Exeter, offering affordable groceries.
Affordable high-street shopping can be found at stores like Primark and TK Maxx.
A day pass for buses in Exeter costs £4.00, and the cheapest way to get to Exeter from the airport is by bus (approximately £6.50), which takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Buy a day pass for bus travel to save money on individual fares.Shop at local markets for unique and affordable items.Take advantage of happy hour offers at local pubs for discounted drinks.
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 The Salutation Inn
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 399 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Topsham Pharmacy — 36 m · ~1 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 The Salutation Inn?
Request a room on the first or second floor at the rear of the building, away from Fore Street. These are likely quieter due to less street noise and still accessible by stairs or the small lift typical for a 3-star Exeter inn.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Salutation Inn?
Avoid rooms at the front of the hotel overlooking Fore Street, especially on the ground floor, as they will pick up traffic and pedestrian noise from this main road. Also skip rooms near the bar or breakfast area on the ground floor if you want quiet.
Is The Salutation Inn noisy?
Fore Street is a busy road in Topsham, with traffic from early morning until late evening. The hotel's bar can be lively until closing, especially on weekends. Service entrance noise from deliveries may occur early (7-9am).
Which rooms have the best views at The Salutation Inn?
The rear rooms offer a view over the garden or courtyard (a common feature in Exeter coaching inns). The front rooms on Fore Street have a view of the historic street but that's trade-off for noise.
What are insider tips for staying at The Salutation Inn?
1. Park in the hotel's own car park if available—Topsham's street parking is limited. 2. Request a room with a bath if you want a proper soak; many 3-star inns have basic showers but a bath is a bonus in Exeter's damp weather.
What time is check-in at The Salutation Inn?
Check-in at The Salutation Inn is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The Salutation Inn have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi; speed sufficient for browsing and email, not streaming or video calls
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Salutation Inn?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near The Salutation Inn?
A budget-friendly lunch option is a sandwich or wrap from a local bakery or supermarket, costing around £3-£5.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The Salutation Inn?
A day pass for buses in Exeter costs £4.00, and the cheapest way to get to Exeter from the airport is by bus (approximately £6.50), which takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes.
When is the best time to visit Exeter?
May, June and September – warm but not stifling, fewer tourists than July–August, and the gardens are at their best.
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.