Devon pub rich with history at the heart of town life

The Globe Topsham
-Credit: (Image: DevonLive)


The Globe has been at the heart of life in Topsham for the last 300 years. In its time it’s been a coaching house, a merchants’ meeting room, and one tenth of Exeter ’s most famous pub crawl.

Like all the best pubs it has adapted to whatever the town wants it to be. It has a stalwart presence and attractive Georgian facade. As other pubs that once made the ‘Topsham Ten’ slide into memory and boozers up and down the country are bulldozed for housing, it continues to stand firm.

Topsham, as we all know, is a place of historic charm, with a rich maritime heritage, quaint streets, and endless interior design shops. There are churches here, attractive riverside walks and a bustling high street but if the place has a spiritual centre and community core it is probably The Globe.

READ MORE:I ate Devon's 'poshest' Sunday dinner in gorgeous castle and felt like royalty

READ MORE:I ate at South West restaurant high above stunning beach and it was incredible

The main bar is the prized spot. There is a back room with more space for diners and another formal room to the side, but the best leather-chair comfort and cosy pub atmosphere is to be found in the wood-panelled surrounds of the main bar.

Window seat at The Globe in Topsham
Window seat at The Globe in Topsham -Credit:DevonLive

It’s lunchtime and we manage to bag the prime seat by the window. From here you can watch the good people of Topsham going about their day while you slide into beer-induced conversation. I’m feeling particularly profound as I share my views on life with Elizabeth, who listens politely, if not very attentively.

There’s a nice vibe about the place, it's on the traditional side, timber ceiling, not too bright, no TV, you know the sort of thing.

There’s a set day menu which includes starters like crab and lobster bisque and beer battered tiger prawns, fairly familiar mains and light bites. There is also a specials selection that during our visit included steak, beef shin and ale pie, lemon sole and mussels.

I make the spectacularly safe selection of burger and chips. This complete lack of imagination can be justified on the grounds that you can tell a lot about a pub by the quality of its burger. Elizabeth admits her choice of scampi, chips and peas could also be more daring but the die is cast.

The Globe Topsham
The Globe Topsham -Credit:DevonLive

It is said the pub got its name from its association with the Portuguese wine trade. Back in the day Topsham was a thriving port with links far and wide. Tobacco from the Americas was unloaded here, Dutch cotton traders built many of the local houses in their traditional style.

It has been a hotel for more than 200 years. Today, guests stay in well-appointed rooms on the upper floors. It does mean the place sometimes has a slightly anonymous traveller feel to it. But the acoustics are good enough for Elizabeth to be enraptured by all my best humorous tales.

My Angus steak burger on brioche bap comes in at a hefty £19. I’d say that’s on the pricey side. It’s tasty but slightly disappointing. There are familiar toppings of gherkin, Monterey Jack cheese and bacon. Jam (chorizo and sweet chilli) is a recent improvement to the posh burger world that I’m all for.

Main meal at The Globe Topsham
Main meal at The Globe Topsham -Credit:DevonLive

It comes with a copious spread of fries but no salad. Now I ignore a good salad as much as the next man but a sampling of greenery should come as standard with a pub burger, even if it is only to poke at and give the impression of being healthy.

Elizabeth leaves many of her large chunky chips untouched on the plate, undipped in tartare and unloved. Too many, she says. Scampi costs £16.75.

Main meal at The Globe Topsham
Main meal at The Globe Topsham -Credit:DevonLive

For pudding I have affogato (£6.25). I always like the sound of espresso and ice cream, and it seems to be everywhere these days, but the strawberry creme patisserie tart is the winner. It comes with a dollop of clotted cream that could fell a horse. I remind Elizabeth she is not in a speed eating competition and people are watching. Not 10 minutes ago she left chips but has now rallied. “Mmm,” she says.

Strawberry creme patisserie tart The Globe Topsham
Strawberry creme patisserie tart The Globe Topsham -Credit:DevonLive

The bill, with four drinks, comes in a shade above £60. I don’t know the exact cost. Above a certain level and I don’t like to look. I could write a stern letter to Putin for starting a war or blame the pandemic for the burger price inflation and the cost almost doubling in the last few years but I don't think it would help. This is the new age where everything costs too much.

In summary, The Globe is a comforting armchair to settle for an afternoon. It scores well for autumn/winter quintessential Devon pub vibes. Full of history, local characters, friendly and attentive staff. You won’t see the world from the window seat but it's always a pleasure to visit Topsham.

⚠️ Want the latest Devon breaking news and top stories first? Click here to join our WhatsApp group. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice ⚠️