In short
The best dog-friendly pubs in Exeter are Double Locks on the canal, the Prospect Inn and On The Waterfront on the Quay, Samuel Jones on Commercial Road, Mill on the Exe by the weir, The Fat Pig on John Street and The Saint George and Dragon at Clyst St George just outside the city. The Turf, at the end of the canal, is a seasonal bonus. For coffee, Boston Tea Party on Queen Street welcomes dogs, as does the café at Haldon Forest Park.
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Which Exeter pubs are dog friendly?
Plenty — but the ones that genuinely want your dog, rather than tolerating it by the door, cluster in one strip of the city: the Quay, the canal and the river. That is handy, because it means a proper walk and a proper pint are rarely more than twenty minutes apart. Every pub below was checked in September 2026 against its Food Standards Agency listing and, where it has one, its own website.
Dog policies change with managers and seasons, and "dog friendly" can mean anywhere from the whole pub to the garden only. Where a pub states its policy on its own site we say so; otherwise ring ahead before turning up with a wet spaniel on a busy Sunday.
Double Locks — the canal pub built for dog walkers
Where: Canal Banks, Exeter EX2 6LT | Getting there: On foot or bike along the canal towpath from the Quay
The Double Locks describes itself as "(very) dog friendly, a mecca for dog lovers", and the site is explicit that "muddy boots and muddy paws are welcome". It sits on the Exeter Ship Canal with a large beer garden that has covered and heated areas, so it works in April drizzle as well as August sun. The menu is proper pub food — burgers, beer-battered fish and chips, pies — plus Sunday roasts, and walk-ins are welcome.
Double Locks is our favourite end-point for a dog walk from the city (see the canal walk below). Our verdict: best if you want the walk and the pint in one outing; skip it on a sunny bank-holiday afternoon if your dog does not cope well with crowds.
The Prospect Inn — the Quay's dog-friendly pub
Where: The Quay, Exeter EX2 4AN
The Prospect sits on the Quay itself and describes itself as "an independent and dog-friendly pub in Exeter on the Quay", inviting you to "come enjoy a pint on the Quay at our dog-friendly pub". It serves homemade pub classics and traditional ales, and says its local produce comes from within 15 miles. Our verdict: best as the easy first or last stop on a Quay or towpath walk. If you are bringing a group or more than one large dog at a busy time, ring ahead on 01392 273152.
On The Waterfront — heated terrace on the Quay
Where: 5–9 The Quay, Exeter EX2 4AP
On The Waterfront occupies an old warehouse on the Quay and states on its site that its heated terrace is "dog friendly — four-legged friends always welcome". It is known for what it calls "gigantic handcrafted pizzas", plus tapas, eaten looking over the Quay. Our verdict: the terrace is the dog zone, so it is best on a dry day or under the heaters; skip it in heavy rain if you want to sit inside with your dog.
Samuel Jones — waterside warehouse pub
Where: 37 Commercial Road, Exeter EX2 4AE
Samuel Jones is a St Austell Brewery pub in a converted riverside warehouse, a few steps from the water. Its own site lists it as dog friendly with a pub garden, and the menu now runs from pub classics to small plates and stone-baked pizzas. It takes bookings online. Our verdict: the one to pick if you are organising a group walk that ends in dinner and want a table you can reserve.
Mill on the Exe — riverside pub with dog-friendly rooms
Where: Bonhay Road, Exeter EX4 3AB
Mill on the Exe is another St Austell Brewery pub, this one in a converted mill beside the river near Blackaller Weir, and a short walk from Exeter St David's station. Its site lists "Dog Friendly Rooms" among its amenities alongside the pub garden, The riverside path runs right past, so you can walk upstream towards Cowley or downstream to the Quay. Our verdict: the obvious base if you are visiting Exeter with a dog and want to stay over, and handy for anyone arriving by train.
The Fat Pig — backstreet freehouse in the city centre
Where: 2 John Street, Exeter EX1 1BL
The Fat Pig calls itself "a long established people and dog friendly backstreet pub", and that is a fair description. It is small, independent and tucked behind South Street, with local beers, ciders and a serious food offer. Our verdict: best if you are in the city centre rather than by the river; it is small, so skip it with a big group and several dogs.
The Saint George and Dragon — country pub just outside the city
Where: Clyst St George, near Exeter EX3 0QJ
A few minutes east of Exeter, near Darts Farm, The Saint George and Dragon is a Vintage Inns country pub with a garden and a dedicated dog-friendly page on the group's site. It pairs well with a walk on the Exe Estuary trail towards Topsham, or with a Sunday lunch after a morning at the farm shop. Our verdict: best if you have a car and want a country garden; it is not one to walk to from the city centre.
The Turf, at the far end of the canal, is probably the best-known dog-friendly pub near Exeter — but it is seasonal. It opens from spring to autumn only (roughly May to the start of November), is reachable only on foot, by bike or by boat, and when it is shut there is nothing else at the end of that stretch. Check the dates on turfpub.net before committing to the walk.
Where can I walk my dog in Exeter?
Exeter has an unusual amount of green space for a city its size. The Valley Parks, managed by Devon Wildlife Trust, run through the city like green corridors, and the canal and estuary paths give you flat, easy walking straight from the centre.
Riverside Valley Park
Distance: 2–3 miles circular | Difficulty: Easy | Best for: Daily walks and meeting other dog walkers
Flood-plain meadows and riverside paths running south-west of the city centre, a short walk from the Quay. You will see herons on the river and, if you are lucky, the odd kingfisher. Much of it is open meadow where dogs can run, but keep them close near the canal and road sections. Paths are a mix of tarmac and gravel — wellies after rain. This is where Exeter's regular dog walkers congregate: walk at the same time each day and you will soon know the dogs' names, if not yet the owners'. Devon Wildlife Trust publishes maps and seasonal notes.
Ludwell Valley Park
Distance: 2–3 miles circular | Difficulty: Easy to moderate | Best for: Quieter walks and wildflower meadows
Rolling meadows on the south-east side of the city, reached from Ludwell Lane, Topsham Road, Parkland Drive or Pynes Hill. Cattle graze parts of the park in the warmer months, so have a lead ready and follow any signs at the gates. Muddier and hillier than Riverside — a proper Devon walk rather than a city stroll.
Exeter Quay to Double Locks along the canal
Distance: About 1.5 miles each way | Difficulty: Easy, flat | Best for: The classic walk with a pub at the end
The towpath from the Quay to Double Locks is the walk every Exeter dog owner does on repeat. It is flat and firm, runs beside the water with views across the meadows, and ends at Double Locks, which calls itself a "mecca for dog lovers". Keep dogs on a lead: the path is shared with cyclists.
The canal walk to Double Locks is the ideal "shall we take the dogs out?" suggestion for someone you have only chatted to in the park. It is short, flat, and the pub at the end turns a walk into an afternoon without either of you having to call it a date.
Exeter Canal to The Turf
Distance: About 4.5 miles each way from the Quay | Difficulty: Easy, flat but long | Best for: A full day out, in season
Carry on past Double Locks and the towpath runs south to Turf Lock, where The Turf sits on the estuary with a big garden. It is a long, flat walk, so allow plenty of time for the return (or walk one way and take the ferry or train from nearby Topsham or Starcross in season — check timetables first). Only attempt it when the pub is open.
Haldon Forest Park
Distance: 0.5–10 miles on waymarked trails | Difficulty: Easy to challenging | Best for: Weekend woodland walks
Haldon Forest Park is Forestry England woodland on the Haldon Hills, about fifteen minutes' drive south-west of Exeter. The forest is open daily from 7am to 9pm except Christmas Day, and dogs are welcome, with bins on the trails for bagged waste. It is shared with cyclists and mountain bikers, so keep dogs close on the bike trails and around the visitor centre and play areas.
Which cafés in Exeter allow dogs?
Boston Tea Party
Where: 84 Queen Street, Exeter EX4 3RP
The Exeter Boston Tea Party is in a listed building next to RAMM, a couple of minutes from Exeter Central. The chain's own answer to "are you dog-friendly?" is "four-legged friends are very welcome in our cafés — just keep those paws on the floor". Breakfast, brunch and lunch, a big two-floor space, and it does not usually take bookings, so just walk in. For more places to drink coffee in the city, see our Exeter coffee shops guide, but check each café's dog policy before you go.
Haldon Forest Park Cafe and The Pantry
Where: Forest Park Centre, Bullers Hill, Kennford EX6 7XR
The café at the forest's visitor centre now trades as Haldon Forest Park Cafe, with The Pantry for grab-and-go. Forestry England describes the food as seasonal and homemade. With plenty of outdoor tables, it is the natural stop after a forest loop with a muddy dog.
What dog events are there near Exeter?
Woofstock is Devon's big dog festival, held at Powderham Castle about fifteen minutes from Exeter. There is no 2026 edition: the organisers have the next festival down for 24 to 26 September 2027 at Powderham, with tickets on sale now. Expect dog shows, displays, music and camping.
Charity dog walks run through the year around Exeter and on Haldon. Venues change annually, so check the charity's own event list before you set out.
Why dog walking is good for your social life
Dogs create what sociologists call "bridging" connections — contact between people who would not otherwise meet. Every walk is a chance to recognise someone; every dog-friendly pub visit includes at least one stranger asking what breed yours is. If you are new to Exeter, walking the same route at the same time each day is one of the most dependable ways to build a local network. No dog? Volunteering to walk dogs for a local rescue brings many of the same benefits.
The step from "park acquaintance" to "friend" usually needs a change of setting. Suggest carrying on the conversation at the Prospect or Double Locks — having the dogs there makes the invitation feel natural.
A dog-friendly day in Exeter
Morning: An off-lead loop of Riverside Valley Park, around 9am when the regulars are out.
Mid-morning: Walk to the Quay for a coffee at the Prospect or on the terrace at On The Waterfront.
Lunch: Follow the canal to Double Locks for lunch in the garden — about half an hour each way.
Afternoon: In season, and with energy to spare, carry on to The Turf. Otherwise head back through the city for a coffee at Boston Tea Party.
Evening: Dinner at Samuel Jones or Mill on the Exe, dog settled under the table. For more pubs that aren't specifically dog-focused, see our guide to the best pubs in Exeter, and for food-led options our gastropubs guide.
Seasonal tips
Spring and summer: Beer-garden season at Double Locks and The Turf. Watch for cattle in Ludwell Valley Park, and avoid long midday walks on hot days — tarmac towpaths get hot underfoot.
Autumn: Quieter towpaths and Haldon at its best. The Turf closes at the start of November, so do that walk early in the season.
Winter: Indoor-friendly spots earn their keep — The Fat Pig, the Prospect and Boston Tea Party. Double Locks' covered, heated garden keeps it usable year-round. For further afield, our day trips from Exeter include several dog-friendly routes, and Topsham is full of pubs and cafés that welcome dogs.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best dog friendly pubs in Exeter?
- Double Locks on the canal, the Prospect Inn and On The Waterfront on the Quay, Samuel Jones on Commercial Road, Mill on the Exe on Bonhay Road, The Fat Pig on John Street and The Saint George and Dragon at Clyst St George, just outside the city. The Turf at the end of the canal is also dog friendly but only opens from spring to autumn.
- Are dogs allowed inside pubs on Exeter Quay?
- The Prospect on the Quay describes itself as a dog-friendly pub on its own website, and On The Waterfront welcomes dogs on its heated terrace. Samuel Jones, on Commercial Road by the river, lists itself as dog friendly. Where exactly dogs can go inside can vary, so ring ahead if you have more than one large dog.
- Which dog friendly pub in Exeter can I walk to?
- Double Locks is about 1.5 miles along the flat canal towpath from Exeter Quay and is our favourite dog walk with a pub at the end. In season you can carry on about three more miles to The Turf.
- Is there a dog friendly pub in Exeter city centre?
- The Fat Pig on John Street, off South Street, describes itself as a people and dog friendly backstreet pub, and Mill on the Exe is a short walk from the centre and St David's station.
- Can I stay in Exeter with my dog?
- Mill on the Exe on Bonhay Road lists dog-friendly rooms among its amenities, making it a convenient base by the river and close to St David's station.
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