A remote waterside pub famous for the journey required to reach it is preparing for a new chapter after a hospitality partnership stepped in to take over day-to-day management.
The Turf, a long-standing pub set between the River Exe and the Exeter Canal, has come under new management by the River Exe Partnership, a team with experience running waterside venues in the south-west.
Accessible only by foot, bicycle or boat, the pub has built a loyal following among walkers, cyclists, canoeists and boaters travelling along the canal and estuary.
The partnership — fronted by the team behind the River Exe Cafe — said it plans to restore the pub’s reputation while refining its food, drink and overall guest experience.
For the time being, the focus will be on reopening the pub itself, with accommodation at the site paused while plans for the hotel side of the business are considered for the future.
Kate Radford, of the River Exe Partnership, said: “You don’t just pop in – you journey to it.”
She added: “That sense of arrival, of being slightly off-grid, is something we absolutely want to protect. But we are also here to elevate it.”
The new operators have suggested the venue will feature a produce-led menu celebrating Devon’s coast and countryside, including seasonal dishes, updated pub classics and local drinks.
Paul Craven added: “This is not about changing The Turf’s soul.”
He continued: “It is about polishing it. We want it to feel vibrant again. Full. Atmospheric. The kind of place you plan your weekend around.”
Plans also aim to improve access to the pub by water, with proposals designed to make it easier and safer to reach by river.
The partnership hopes to strengthen links between Topsham, the South West Coast Path and the Exe Estuary Trail, with the goal of reconnecting walkers, boaters and local communities while reinforcing the pub’s role as a meeting point along the estuary.
The vision also places emphasis on encouraging sustainable travel by foot, bicycle and boat, supporting tourism while protecting the natural environment around the River Exe.
For many residents and visitors, The Turf has long been seen as more than simply a pub — serving as a stopping point for walkers and cyclists and a place tied to memories of summers by the water.
The existing owner remains involved in the venture and continues to support the long-term future of the venue.
The River Exe Partnership said the arrangement is intended to place day-to-day management in experienced hands while maintaining a shared focus on stewardship and sustainable growth.
Further details about reopening dates, menus and events are expected to be announced soon.
Updates will be shared on Instagram at @theturfdevon and via the website www.the-turf.com.
