Topsham's Bridge Inn named among the UK's 650 best pubs by The Telegraph
The Bridge Inn in Topsham, once visited by the late Queen, has been named one of the UK's best pubs in a new Telegraph guide — one of just 10 Devon venues to make the list.
A historic pub in Topsham has been named one of the best in the country, after The Telegraph included it in its newly launched guide to the 650 best pubs in the UK.
The Bridge Inn, on Bridge Hill in Topsham, near Exeter, is one of just 10 Devon pubs to feature in the guide, which was selected by a panel of pub experts based on atmosphere, drink quality and a strong sense of community. The pub, also known locally as the Pink Pub, was previously named Devon Pub of the Year 2025 by The Telegraph, which described it as "one of Britain's most unspoilt pubs" and "the sort of pub where time stands still."
The Bridge Inn has a long and unusual history. A Grade II listed building, it stands on a site mentioned as a dwelling in the Domesday Book of 1086, making it one of the oldest recorded sites in the area. Parts of the current building date from the late 16th century, though most of the structure was built in the 18th century from cob and stone, with a further addition in brick added during the 19th century.
The pub also holds a notable royal connection: Queen Elizabeth II visited the inn on 27 March 1998, in what was her first official visit to a pub.
Nine other Devon pubs were included in The Telegraph's guide: The Globe Inn in Beaford, The Clovelly Inn near Okehampton, The Dolphin in Plymouth, The Devonshire in Sticklepath, The Champ in Appledore, The Albert Inn in Totnes, The Durant Arms in Ashprington, The Rugglestone Inn in Widecombe in the Moor, and The Volunteer Inn in Ottery St Mary.
The guide follows the success of The Telegraph's 500 Best Pubs in England list in 2025, and has now been expanded to include a further 150 pubs across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Readers can search the full guide by postcode or county, with filters including "pets welcome," "beer garden" and "overnight stay."
Will Hawkes, The Telegraph's beer, food and travel journalist, said: "Despite desperate operating conditions, Britain still has hundreds of magnificent pubs, offering warmth, atmosphere, character and fantastic drinks. You'll find the best of the best in our guide." He added: "This year, we have expanded the guide to cover all of the UK, meaning there are now great pubs to discover from Shetland all the way down to Lands End. My colleagues and I have spent the first part of the year scouring the nation to find these magnificent pubs - a truly joyous experience. We're sure that readers will enjoy discovering these amazing pubs as much as we did."
The guide's launch comes as The Telegraph continues to campaign to save Britain's pubs, having reported that an average of four pubs a day closed across the UK in 2026 amid mounting economic pressures on the hospitality industry.