The Joy of Not Having to Drive Home
There is a particular kind of evening that only happens when nobody has to watch the clock. The kind where the second bottle gets opened without anyone glancing at their phone. Where the conversation drifts from funny to serious and back again without anyone saying, "Right, I should probably get going." Where the last round is genuinely the last round, not the third-to-last round that someone orders out of optimism before everyone starts reaching for their coats.
The pub with rooms solves one of the most persistent problems of adult socialising: the designated driver. In Devon, where the best pubs tend to be down narrow lanes in villages that are not on any bus route, getting home safely after a good meal usually means one person spending the evening on lime and soda while everyone else enjoys themselves. A room upstairs changes everything. Suddenly the whole group can relax properly. The evening stretches out. Nobody is watching the clock or calculating units. And in the morning, there is a cooked breakfast and the particular pleasure of being somewhere that is not your own home.
Devon has some of the finest pubs with rooms in the country — historic inns on Dartmoor, coastal taverns with sea views, village locals that have been hosting overnight guests since before the railways arrived. Here are the ones worth knowing about.
On Dartmoor
The Nobody Inn, Doddiscombsleigh
If you have read our guide to the best gastropubs in Exeter and Devon, you will already know about The Nobody Inn. But it deserves its place on this list too, because staying overnight here transforms what is already a special evening into something properly memorable.
Built in the 1630s and set in the tiny village of Doddiscombsleigh — about six miles south-west of Exeter, tucked between the Haldon Hills and the Teign Valley — this 17th-century inn has five individually decorated bedrooms with TVs, DVD players, tea and coffee-making facilities, and complimentary decanters of sherry. Breakfast is included in the room rate, and there is free parking.
The rooms are not large and they are not trying to be a boutique hotel. They are comfortable, characterful pub bedrooms above one of the best drinking and eating establishments in the county. And that is exactly the point. You come for the whisky collection — around 240 single malts, ranging from £3.50 to £99 a shot — the cheese selection of twenty-plus local varieties, and the seasonal menu of proper gastropub cooking. Starters from around £7.50, mains from £16.95, and a West Country sirloin at £29.95 that comes with everything.
Then, instead of navigating the winding lanes back to Exeter in the dark, you go upstairs. There are crackling log fires in winter and a pretty garden in summer, and the whole place has the kind of atmosphere that takes centuries to accumulate.
Book rooms at The Nobody Inn well ahead for weekend stays — there are only five, and the pub's reputation means they fill quickly. Midweek is easier and quieter. Room rates start from approximately £90 per room per night for double occupancy. Call 01647 252394 to book.
Room price: From approximately £90 per night (double occupancy), breakfast included. Food: Starters from £7.50; mains from £16.95. Atmosphere: Centuries-old charm — low beams, log fires, and the best whisky collection in Devon. Location: Doddiscombsleigh, EX6 7PS — about 20 minutes from Exeter. Rooms: 5 en-suite bedrooms.
Ring of Bells, North Bovey
The Ring of Bells sits beside the village green in North Bovey, surrounded by thatched Devon longhouses and the kind of countryside charm that makes you briefly consider selling your flat and moving to the moor. This is one of those pubs where the setting is half the experience — the green, the ancient oaks, the stone walls, and beyond them, the open expanses of Dartmoor stretching in every direction.
The pub offers five comfortable, character-filled rooms, all en-suite and furnished with Hypnos beds — which, if you have not slept on one, are significantly better than whatever you have at home. Dogs are welcome in all rooms except room one. Reviewers consistently note the rooms are spacious, modern, and cosy with good power showers and quality bathrooms.
Downstairs, you get hearty homemade food using seasonal local produce, a well-stocked bar with local ales, fine wines, and a selection of spirits. Breakfast is included and reportedly substantial. The combination of a proper dinner, a comfortable bed, and a Dartmoor walk the next morning makes this an excellent option for a friends' overnight trip.
North Bovey itself is worth exploring — it is one of the prettiest villages on Dartmoor, and the walks from the village green are outstanding. You can head up to Manaton or across to Hound Tor without needing a car.
Room price: From approximately £85-120 per night (double occupancy). Food: Hearty homemade pub food with seasonal local produce. Atmosphere: Traditional Dartmoor inn on a picture-perfect village green. Location: North Bovey, TQ13 8RB — about 25 minutes from Exeter. Rooms: 5 en-suite rooms with Hypnos beds. Booking: Via ringofbells.uk.
The Elephant's Nest Inn, Horndon
Perched on the western edge of Dartmoor near Tavistock, The Elephant's Nest Inn is one of those pubs that rewards the effort of finding it. The location is spectacular — high up with views across the national park — and the pub itself is a quintessentially English country local with a recent extension providing three en-suite bedrooms.
The rooms are individually decorated, each featuring Vi-Spring beds with goosedown duvets, flatscreen TVs, digital radio, free WiFi, tea and coffee facilities, and a fridge. At from £87.50 per person per night on a B&B basis, they are also among the most reasonably priced rooms on this list.
The pub serves dinner in the evening (pre-order required), and the food has earned consistently positive reviews. Free breakfast is included with your stay, and the parking is free. The walking from the door is superb — you are right in the national park — and the nearby towns of Tavistock and Lydford are both worth visiting, with Lydford Gorge being one of the most dramatic walks in Devon.
Room price: From £87.50 per person per night, B&B. Food: Dinner available with pre-order; breakfast included. Atmosphere: Peaceful, elevated position with proper Dartmoor views. Location: Horndon, Mary Tavy, PL19 9NQ — about 45 minutes from Exeter. Rooms: 3 en-suite doubles/twins. Booking: Call 01822 810273 or email [email protected].
The Dartmoor Inn, Lydford
The Dartmoor Inn at Lydford is intimate and stylish, with three bedrooms that feel more like a small boutique hotel than a pub. The rooms are light, spacious, and contemporary country in style, decorated with beautiful fabrics and furnished with antique and hand-painted furniture from England and France. All are en-suite with flat-screen TVs, free WiFi, complimentary toiletries, and tea and coffee facilities.
The pub has earned a Michelin Guide listing for its food, which is modern British with a focus on local sourcing and seasonal ingredients. The cooking is confident and well-reviewed, and the atmosphere balances proper pub warmth with a dining experience that justifies the trip.
Lydford itself is a small but historically rich village, and Lydford Gorge — managed by the National Trust — is just down the road. The gorge walk, followed by lunch and an overnight stay, makes for a superb day out with friends.
Room price: From approximately £130 per night. Food: Michelin Guide-listed modern British cooking. Atmosphere: Intimate and charming with contemporary country style. Location: Lydford, EX20 4AY — about 40 minutes from Exeter. Rooms: 3 en-suite bedrooms. Booking: Call 01822 820221 or via dartmoorinn.com.
On the Coast
The Masons Arms, Branscombe
The 14th-century Masons Arms sits in the heart of Branscombe, one of the most picturesque villages in Devon and a short walk from the beach. Named in The Times' "100 Best Places to Stay in the UK," this thatched pub has 28 rooms spread across the main inn and charming converted cottages, making it one of the larger options on this list and well suited to group bookings.
Step beneath the thatched roof and you are met with timber frames, low beamed ceilings, whitewashed walls, and a roaring log fire. The atmosphere is pubby and convivial — locals at the bar, nooks and alcoves for smaller groups, and the kind of warmth that makes you settle in for the evening. The food champions Devon produce with contemporary takes on pub classics, and the Sunday roasts are particularly well regarded. The bar serves award-winning St Austell beers, local ales, fine wines, and barista coffee.
All rooms include breakfast, luxury toiletries, tea and coffee facilities, free WiFi, and a hairdryer. The range of room types — from inn rooms to cottage suites — means you can accommodate different budgets and preferences within the same group. Dogs are welcome (£15-20 per dog per stay).
The location is excellent for a group weekend. Branscombe Beach is within walking distance, the coast path runs through the village, and the surrounding countryside is gorgeous for walking. The combination of a proper pub meal, a cosy room, and a coastal walk the next morning is about as good as a Devon weekend gets.
The Masons Arms' 28 rooms make it one of the best options for larger group bookings. If you are planning a birthday weekend, a reunion, or just a friends' getaway, having everyone under one (thatched) roof simplifies logistics enormously. Contact the pub directly for group rates and to coordinate room allocations.
Room price: From approximately £130 per night, breakfast included. Food: Devon produce-driven pub food; excellent Sunday roasts. Atmosphere: 14th-century thatched pub with roaring fires and proper character. Location: Branscombe, EX12 3DJ — about 30 minutes from Exeter. Rooms: 28 rooms across the inn and cottages. Booking: Via masonsarms.co.uk.
Near Exeter
The Salutation Inn, Topsham
The Salutation Inn in Topsham is arguably the most complete pub-with-rooms experience in Devon. Lovingly restored by the Williams-Hawkes family, this former coaching inn houses a restaurant, six individually decorated en-suite rooms, a self-catering flat, a fishmonger (SALT, which won a Taste of the West Gold award), and a yoga studio. It is the kind of place that has thought about every detail.
The food is exceptional. Chef-patron Tom Williams-Hawkes trained at Gordon Ramsay and Gidleigh Park, and head chef Luke holds Food Drink Devon's Chef of the Year accolade. The menu is shaped by fresh local seafood, properly aged steaks, and seasonal Devon produce. "Luke's Larder" — a four-course surprise tasting menu that changes daily depending on what is in season — is worth trying if you trust the kitchen, which you should.
The rooms blend historic charm with modern comforts: private bathrooms, free toiletries, free WiFi, flat-screen TVs, and some with river views. Rated 4.9 out of 5 with over 400 reviews, The Salutation consistently ranks as one of the best places to stay in the Exeter area.
Topsham itself is one of the most appealing small towns in Devon — independent shops, waterside walks, pubs, and the kind of gentle pace that makes you wonder why you do not visit more often. You can walk along the Exe Estuary, pick up something from the fishmonger, or just wander the streets and appreciate the architecture. If you are exploring the area more broadly, our foodies' guide to Topsham covers the town in detail.
Room price: From approximately £174 per night. Food: Award-winning cooking from trained fine dining chefs; surprise tasting menu available. Atmosphere: Beautifully restored coaching inn with thoughtful touches throughout. Location: 68 Fore Street, Topsham, EX3 0HL — about 15 minutes from Exeter. Rooms: 6 en-suite rooms plus a self-catering flat. Booking: Via salutationtopsham.co.uk.
The Lamb Inn, Sandford
For something closer to Exeter and kinder to the wallet, The Lamb Inn in Sandford is a 16th-century coaching inn with seven bedrooms, an excellent pub, and prices that make an overnight stay feel like a genuine treat rather than a financial decision.
The rooms are spacious and well-appointed — underfloor heating, king-size orthopaedic beds, modern power showers, flat-screen TVs, and quality coffee. Rates run from £59 to £155 per room per night (room only, no breakfast), which makes it one of the most affordable quality options in the area. Breakfast is available separately at £10.95 and includes freshly baked croissants and pain au chocolat, cereals, fresh fruit, yoghurts, toast, and unlimited coffee and tea.
The pub itself is full of character — beamed ceilings, exposed stone, fireplaces — and the food menu runs every evening from 5.30pm (7pm on Sundays). There is also a skittle alley that doubles as a cinema and conference space, which is the kind of charmingly eccentric feature you only find in proper country pubs.
Sandford is a pretty village about ten miles from Exeter and close to the market town of Crediton. The surrounding countryside is good for walking, and the pub's relaxed atmosphere makes it an easy place to spend an evening without any pressure to be anywhere else.
The Lamb Inn's room rates — starting from just £59 per night — make it one of the best-value pubs with rooms in Devon. For groups on a budget, this is the one to know about. Add breakfast for £10.95 and you have a proper overnight pub experience for under £75 per person. Book on 01363 773676.
Room price: £59-155 per room per night (room only); breakfast £10.95. Food: Pub food menu served from 5.30pm nightly. Atmosphere: 16th-century character with beams, stone, and fireplaces. Location: The Square, Sandford, Crediton, EX17 4LW — about 20 minutes from Exeter. Rooms: 7 B&B rooms with king-size beds. Booking: Call 01363 773676 or via lambinnsandford.co.uk.
The Bearslake Inn, Sourton
If you are exploring the western reaches of Dartmoor, the Bearslake Inn at Sourton is a 13th-century longhouse inn that deserves serious consideration. Sitting between Okehampton and Tavistock, with views across to Sourton Tor, this is a proper Dartmoor gastropub with six spacious en-suite rooms, each with a comfortable king-size bed.
Three of the six rooms are family-sized with additional beds, and four are dog-friendly with direct garden access — a significant bonus if your group includes four-legged members. The restaurant serves well-executed pub classics using local produce, and the garden is a genuinely lovely spot for a drink on a summer evening with the moor stretching out in front of you.
The location is superb for walking. You are right on the edge of the national park, with the Granite Way cycle path running nearby — the disused railway line between Okehampton and Lydford that passes through some of the finest scenery on the western moor. An afternoon cycling the Granite Way followed by dinner and a comfortable bed at the Bearslake is a brilliant mini-break.
Room price: Contact for current rates. Food: Gastropub menu with local produce. Atmosphere: 13th-century longhouse with Dartmoor views. Location: Sourton, Okehampton, EX20 4HQ — about 35 minutes from Exeter. Rooms: 6 en-suite rooms with king-size beds. Booking: Call 01837 861334 or via bearslakeinn.com.
The Tytherleigh Arms, Near Axminster
For those venturing to the eastern edge of Devon, the Tytherleigh Arms is a traditional coaching inn near the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The rooms are cosy and well-appointed, the restaurant has earned a strong reputation for its seasonal menu, and the surrounding countryside is some of the best walking in the county — Golden Cap, the highest point on the south coast, is within easy reach.
This is also good territory for combining a pub stay with a day on the Jurassic Coast. Beer, Seaton, and Lyme Regis are all short drives away, making the Tytherleigh a useful base for a group exploring East Devon's coastline.
Room price: Contact for current rates. Food: Seasonal British cooking with local sourcing. Atmosphere: Traditional coaching inn in rolling East Devon countryside. Location: Tytherleigh, EX13 7BE — about 40 minutes from Exeter. Booking: Via tytherleigharms.com.
If you are planning a pub-with-rooms weekend for a group, book midweek if possible. Most Devon pubs offer better rates Tuesday to Thursday, you are more likely to get multiple rooms together, and the atmosphere is often more relaxed. A Wednesday or Thursday night stay works particularly well — you avoid the weekend rush, and the drive home on Friday morning feels like a bonus day off.
The Community Pub
The Drewe Arms, Drewsteignton
The Drewe Arms in Drewsteignton deserves special mention because it is a community-owned pub — bought and run by the village — which gives it an atmosphere that is fundamentally different from a corporate-owned establishment. There is a genuine warmth and pride in the place that you can feel the moment you walk in.
The pub offers two accommodation options: a beautifully restored 16th-century Church Cottage with two bedrooms (perfect for couples or families), and three bunk rooms that are popular with hikers walking the Two Moors Way. The cottage is tastefully furnished to a high standard, while the bunk rooms are more utilitarian — clean, functional, and ideal for a one or two-night stay.
The restaurant serves local cuisine with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options available. There is a garden, a terrace, an outdoor fireplace, and free parking. The village of Drewsteignton is on the edge of Dartmoor and close to Castle Drogo, the National Trust's last castle, which makes for a good morning walk before checking out.
Room price: Contact for current rates. Food: Local cuisine with dietary options. Atmosphere: Community-owned pub with genuine village warmth. Location: The Square, Drewsteignton, EX6 6QN — about 25 minutes from Exeter. Rooms: Church Cottage (2 bedrooms) and 3 bunk rooms. Booking: Via drewearms.org.
Why Staying Over Changes Everything
The difference between a pub dinner where everyone drives home and one where everyone has a room upstairs is not just logistical — it is social. When the drive home is removed from the equation, the evening changes shape entirely.
First, there is the obvious: everyone can drink. This is not about excess; it is about the fact that sharing a bottle of wine with friends is one of life's great pleasures, and having one person stuck on soft drinks all evening creates an imbalance that nobody talks about but everyone feels.
Second, there is the pace. When you know you are not driving home, the evening slows down. You order another course. You linger over coffee. You have that conversation you have been meaning to have for months but never quite get to in the rush of a normal evening. The best moments of any social gathering tend to happen at the end, after the formalities are done and people have relaxed into themselves — and those moments only happen if nobody is checking the time.
Third, there is the morning. Breakfast together, in a pub dining room, with slightly fuzzy heads and strong coffee, is its own kind of intimacy. It extends the experience beyond a single evening and into something that feels more like a proper getaway — even if you are only twenty minutes from home.
If you are the kind of person who is always saying "we should do something" with your friends but never quite getting around to it, booking a pub with rooms is one of the simplest ways to make it happen. Pick a date, pick a pub, book the rooms, and let the evening take care of itself. Devon has more than enough options to make it worthwhile.
How to Plan a Pub With Rooms Weekend
The logistics are simpler than you think. Here is a template that works for groups of four to eight:
Six weeks before: Pick a pub from this list, check room availability, and book. Most pubs require a deposit for group bookings. Confirm dietary requirements with the group and let the pub know in advance.
One week before: Book a table for dinner (most pubs with rooms will reserve one automatically, but check). Share directions and check-in times with the group. If the pub is on Dartmoor or the coast, plan a walk or activity for the afternoon — our guides to exploring Dartmoor and the best walking routes near Exeter have plenty of ideas.
On the day: Arrive mid-afternoon, settle in, explore the area, then regroup for dinner. The beauty of a pub-with-rooms weekend is that the evening can stretch as long as you like. Nobody is checking the clock, nobody is calculating taxi fares, and the breakfast table the next morning is its own reward.
For those who prefer something under canvas rather than under a thatched roof, our guide to camping in Devon covers the best group-friendly campsites. And for a broader view of Devon overnight options, our Devon staycation guide covers everything from beach weekends to wellness retreats. You can also explore unusual stays in our glamping and unusual accommodation guide.
For more inspiration on dining out with friends in the area, have a look at our guides to the best gastropubs in Exeter and Devon and the best restaurants in Exeter. The Good Hotel Guide's Devon page is also a useful resource for checking availability and independent reviews.