The Turf – the beautiful waterside pub nestled between the River Exe and the Exeter Canal – is now under new management, with River Exe Partnership taking the helm.
Accessible only by foot, bike or boat, The Turf has long held cult status among walkers, boaters, cyclists and canoers from both the estuary, and the canal. But following recent challenges, the beloved pub is now set for a revival – with fresh energy, refined food, and a renewed focus on what makes it so special: location, atmosphere and community.
The River Exe Partnership, fronted by the team behind the iconic River Exe Café, known has plans to restore The Turf as one of Devon’s most atmospheric places to eat, drink and gather.
River Exe Partnership brings extensive hospitality experience and a deep understanding of waterside venues in the South West. Their vision is to build on the pub’s established reputation while refining the food, drink and overall guest experience.
For now the focus is on restoring the pub to its former glory, pressing pause on the hotel side of the business. Plans to re-start the accommodation will be very much in future.
“You don’t just pop in – you journey to it. That sense of arrival, of being slightly off-grid, is something we absolutely want to protect. But we’re also here to elevate it”, states Kate Radford, of the River Exe Partnership.
The new management has hinted at a refined, produce-led menu celebrating Devon’s coast and countryside – expect seasonal plates, elevated pub classics, exceptional local drinks, and long, lazy lunches overlooking the water.
“This isn’t about changing The Turf’s soul,” Paul Craven adds, “It’s about polishing it. We want it to feel vibrant again. Full. Atmospheric. The kind of place you plan your weekend around.”
The proposals place water access at the forefront, designed to make the pub easier and safer to reach by river. By reinforcing links between Topsham, the South West Coast Path and the Exe Estuary Trail, the aim is to re-establish the pub as a welcoming hub – reconnecting communities, walkers and boaters while celebrating the unique character of the estuary.
Alongside improved access, the plans reflect a long-term commitment to careful stewardship of this much-loved stretch of waterfront. By encouraging sustainable travel by foot, bike and boat, the vision supports responsible tourism and sensitive growth, ensuring the pub plays a positive role in the local economy while protecting the natural beauty and rhythm of life on the Exe.
For many locals, The Turf represents far more than a pub – it is a rite of passage, a meeting point, a windswept pint after a long cycle or an evening dog walk along the estuary. It is woven with childhood memories of camping trips, barbecues and summers shaped by life on the water.
The River Exe Partnership has been formed with a clear intention: to honour that legacy while carefully building for its future, ensuring the next generation can create their own lasting memories here.
Importantly, the existing owner remains fully committed and closely involved. When he first purchased The Turf, it was with the long-term intention of safeguarding it for years to come. This new partnership is a step towards realising that vision – not a departure from it – placing day-to-day management in experienced hands while reinforcing a shared commitment to stewardship, sustainability and sensitive growth.
Together, the aim is to protect what makes The Turf so special, while giving it the structure and support to thrive long into the future.
Further details on reopening dates, menus and events are expected soon. Follow along online @theturfdevon (Instagram) or hop on the website www.the-turf.com for news as it happens.
