These are my top 5 places to walk my dogs, then enjoy a good meal or just a decent coffee afterwards.
Places that welcome me and my pups with equal care and compassion, all within the beautiful county of Devon.
Side Note - I have decided to bring this blog to you in stages. Why should you and your furry best friend miss out on fantastic places to go to walk and relax, eat and enjoy yourselves, just because I haven’t written about all 5 of them yet?I have decided to bring this blog to you in stages.
So back to my blog - here they are - my top 5 places to go to for a lovely walk followed by some good food and drink, here in Devon.
As a bit of a back history to select these pubs and eateries I have visited them at least twice to make sure they are what they say they are. Before approaching them to be in this blog. I believe in giving you my honest opinion, so me and the pups went in all Secret Squirrel on this.
The Prospect Inn on Exeter Quay in Devon
Check out their Facebook Page for their latest opening times and sample menus and see their amazing food on their instagram page.
The Prospect Inn Facebook Page
The Prospect Inn Instagram Page
The Prospect Inn does not have their own parking, however, there is parking available either side of the Quay. The Cathedral & Quay (postcode EX1 1DX) long stay pay and display multi-storey car park is nearest The Prospect Inn. There is also an outdoor long stay pay and display car park off Haven Road (post code EX2 8DP).
The Prospect is an independent pub run by a fabulous team, headed by Suzanne and Mark. Suzanne is also the head chef, with a wealth of knowledge and a love of sourcing locally produced and in season ingredients and foraging. Thus, reducing food miles across the board.
The most important member of the team is Charlie, their stunning Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who is their resident dog, although he enjoys a quieter life now, sleeping upstairs whilst The Prospect Inn is open and busy. Luckily, Charlie was happy to be my model for the morning when I went to visit.
What I love when visiting The Prospect Inn -
- Their genuine love for dogs
- They allow dogs inside The Prospect Inn, in all areas with wooden flooring.
- There is fresh bowls of drinking water - everywhere.
- There is a fire with chairs around so you and pup can snuggle up after a winter walk.
- There is a tucked away seating/dining area called the Doghouse, which is a big alcove with tables, water bowls for the pups and even a big dog bed.
- Complimentary doggy treats are at the bar to.
- Their outside tables have dog lead clips so you can safely eat without worrying that pup might wonder off when you are distracted by your fabulous food.
It really is the perfect place to walk your dog from or to - there are soooo many routes in and around Exeter Quay. Stopping in at The Prospect Inn for morning coffee, afternoon tea, lunch or dinner.
With so many options – here are a few ideas -
- Turning right as you leave The Prospect Inn, wiggle through to cross the river Exe at the Exeter Quayside footbridge and turn right, following the river up to Flowerpots Park and Miller’s Bridge where you can either follow the road back to the Quay via The Mill On The Exe or head back the way you came after taking a turn around the fields at Flowerpots Park.
- Or turning right as you leave The Prospect Inn, wiggle through to cross the river Exe at the Exeter Quayside footbridge and turn left, following the path and from here pick to walk the shipping canal or follow the River Exe to the Riverside Valley Park.
- A lovely short walk is left out of The Prospect Inn, follow the river Exe and the path to Trews Weir Suspension Bridge and follow the path back to Exeter Quayside and the footbridge back over the river Exe to The Prospect.
I asked what Charlie's favourite walks are but as Charlie is a bit poorly now, he can’t walk as far as he used to. His favourite walk at the moment is a little bumble around the quay - sometimes to the Boathouse Bakery for a sausage roll (without the pastry of course) or to the Crankhouse on Fore Street so his mum can get a coffee.
My last point that I really like about The Prospect Inn's ethical policy, it's a huge plus for me.
They are a member of the 1% for the planet - who exist to ensure our planet and future generations thrive. @1percentftp giving 1% of all sales to them.
They also partner with Devon Environment Foundation @devon_enviro who strive to protect and restore Devon’s natural beauty by funding local nature-based solutions and they also support @tiyenifarming which is a Malawian NGO, they show farmers how to improve their crop yields, using deep bed farming. Their aim is to eradicate hunger in Malawi.
So the Prospect Inn is ethical, eco friendly, serves great food with awesome customer service and most of all super, dog friendly, what’s not to love?
Your dog can enjoy the visit as much as you do.
And as they say…to be continued...4 more to go. In the meantime, drop me a message about your favourite dog friendly pub preferably with a good walk nearby.