The Imperial
Quick info
About The Imperial
On New North Road in Exeter, The Imperial occupies a former hotel building and includes an Orangery designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, now used as a barrel-vaulted conservatory space. The pub sits between the university campus, the railway station, and the town centre. Grounds extend beyond the building, with outdoor tables set under tall trees. The menu runs to around 70 items, including pub grub such as the Deli Deal, Just-A-Wrap, and pancakes with maple-cured bacon and maple-flavour syrup, alongside real ales. Service is walk-in, with no reservations taken, and drinks can also be ordered at the table through an app. The combination of the conservatory, the grounds, and the surrounding trees gives the pub more outdoor and indoor seating than a standard bar room.
Good to know
“Traditional pub in former hotel with barrel-vaulted conservatory space, for real ales and pub grub.”
- ReservationsWalk-in only
- AccessibilityHas wheelchair-accessible car park · Has wheelchair-accessible entrance · Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Menu & Prices
70 dishes · mains £1–71- Deli Deal£6.57
- Deli Deal (Alcoholic)£8.00
- Just-A-Wrap£5.39
- Four Pancakes, Maple-Cured Bacon, Maple-Flavour Syrup£5.14
- Four Pancakes, Maple-Flavour Syrup£4.45
- Two Pancakes, Maple-Cured Bacon, Maple-Flavour Syrup£3.69
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention the orangery, fish n chips, jacket potato and app drinks ordering.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention the orangery, fish n chips, jacket potato and app drinks ordering.
Customer Review Summary
The Orangery, a barrel-vaulted conservatory reviewers repeatedly call stunning and picturesque, is the clear draw, with one calling it the nicest looking Spoons around. Food is described as usual pub basics: one diner's jacket potato came out dried out, while another's fish and chips looked better by comparison. One reviewer separately reports filthy uncleared tables, dangerous car park driving, and a beer that smelled of urinal cakes.
Customer Review Summary
The Orangery, a barrel-vaulted conservatory reviewers repeatedly call stunning and picturesque, is the clear draw, with one calling it the nicest looking Spoons around. Food is described as usual pub basics: one diner's jacket potato came out dried out, while another's fish and chips looked better by comparison. One reviewer separately reports filthy uncleared tables, dangerous car park driving, and a beer that smelled of urinal cakes.
Featured reviews
- Kay Bridger
“Got to be the biggest Spoons in the country... was blown away by the Orangery, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Wow factor, plus huge grounds, tall trees and a million outdoor tables. Stick to the pub basics is all I can say for the food. The fish n chips looked much better than my very dried out jacket potato.”
- Nikki Palmer
“An absolute delight to return to The Imperial - it is such a stunning building (although the seagulls are a nuisance outside) Drinks service on the app was a little slower than expected but acceptable with …”
- Abc of reviews
“Probably one of the nicest looking spoons… I was amazed how picturesque and beautiful the place is. I wish I had more time to get more drinks there.”
- Th33j4y
“What an amazing place ! The “orangery” is stunning and well worth the visit. Food and drinks are usual Wetherspoon good value. Here it is also ideally situated between the University campus, the railway station and the town centre.”
- Rob Camp
“Against my better judgement, stopped here as the closest pub to Exeter St Davids. Beautiful building and surroundings, ruined by filthy uncleared tables, loud atmosphere, dangerous driving in car park and antisocial behaviour. The beer was average and the glass smelt of urinal cakes - might be that the lines have not been cleared properly and I get ill later”
Amenities
- Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 3
- Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Location
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