EXETER.

Real Ales on Tap: Hancocks H.B. £1.70 Fullers London Pride £1.90 Bass £1.84 Adnams Mayday £2.00 Wye Valley Mayday Mayday £1.80 Shepard Neame Spitfire £2.00 Exe Valley Curates Choice £2.00 Thwaites Daniels Hammer £1.90.

Nearest Accommodation: Great Western Hotel, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4NU.

Situated next to Exeter St Davids station. The pub's interior provided comfortable surroundings and a friendly atmosphere. Good clean toilets and easy access (though not for the disabled). It has a split level bar decorated with many pictures of trains due to proximity of station, including a very rare Corfe Castle name plaque which proved to be a popular talking point. Each beer showed signs of a well kept cellar and a manager who believes in the virtues of good real-ale. Recommended on a 3 Star rating from the English Tourist Board, and achieving a 2 Star rating with the R.A.C, the hotel has all the comforts of a traditional English hotel combined with high a level of service. It was also Exeter and East Devon Pub of the Year 2000. There was an excellent range of bar snacks available all day ranging from home-made soup (£1.95) to a peppered steak with all the trimmings (£8.50). We had two soups followed by Roast Chicken chips and peas (£4.60) and an excellent fish of the week - Fresh Sea bass (£8.50) served with a huge amount of veg and potato! A good choice for the vegetarians too. All food was served promptly and with genuine friendliness. The menu stated 12.00 noon - 9.30pm week-days and 10pm Fri/Sat. But due to being a hotel it can be available at all hours. For more formal meals step into the tranquil setting of Brunel's Restaurant, offering a good value, frequently changing set menu or extensive a la carte with a comprehensive wine list, again at reasonable prices. Wherever possible they use fresh locally grown farm produce, and even prepare their own meat and fish. Menus are available to prospective diners on request. Brunel's is open 7 days a week and is the perfect location for any special occasion, from a quiet dinner for two to a wedding reception or party celebration. You can even join their 'Loyalty Club' and earn rewards for dining in Brunel's?  Accommodation: 35 tidy and functional bedrooms with en-suite facilities and colour T.V. with satellite channel available. Our room cost £62 for a double en-suite with breakfast Rating, but singles are £40. Best about the Great Weston is the excellent range of real ales. Trevor Crouchen the manager told me he always tries to have six real ales on at all times (4 guest ales, Bass and London Pride are regulars). At the week-end there can be up to 11 ales on of varying strength and style. No beer garden but does have car parking facilities, but there is a problem with double parking. Worth a Diversion. (Steve Moore)

A brilliant, comfortable open plan pub with an excellent view of the cathedral if you can grab a window seat. Apparently there's a Roman well that you can have a look at in the pub if the pub's quiet. Draught bass is available as well as a good selection of perfectly kept guest ales constantly changing. There's usually a couple of local brews available which might include my favourite, Blackawton Devon Gold. A good place to go for a salad and a beer at lunchtime. Piped music. No beer garden - a local byelaw prohibits it. Accommodation here but try: The Southgate (0870 4009191 for booking), can be expensive but luxurious.