Pubs on the 12 bus route

1 Dartmouth Inn

Dating from 1674, the first recorded name of this pub was the 'Great Dane'. In the 17/18th centuries, every spring, men from the locality would come to this inn, with the hope of being hired for a seasons work on the local boats engaged in the Newfoundland fishing trade. The pub is on two levels, abounds with timber beams, timber panelling, columns, stone walls and large open fireplaces. On the higher level is the main L-shaped bar. To the right down two steps is the 'Tap Room', which has an open fireplace. There is also a pool table in another area, and a small walled garden at the rear.

63 East Street, Newton Abbot, TQ12 2JP Find out more here

2 Maltings Taphouse and Bottle Shop

An atmospheric micropub based in the old Tuckers Maltings bottle shop. The decor is industrial and the furniture is basic wooden tables and benches. There is a good beer garden upstairs and out at the back of the building where you can sit and watch the trains going in and out of Newton Abbot railway station. Bottled beers are still sold with craft and real ales. Beer and conversation prevail.

Tuckers Maltings, Teign Road, Newton Abbot, TQ12 4AA Find out more here

3 Railway Brewhouse

Adjacent to the Railway Station. This single bar pub contains memorabilia of the 'age of steam', paintings, photographs, models, books and old gas lights (converted to electricity). At the front of the pub there is a covered pavement area, with four tables with chairs. It changed hands in 2021, Platform 5 brewery has now moved to Torquay. The current owner also owns Ye Old Cider House nearby.

197 Queen Street, Newton Abbot, TQ12 2BS Find out more here

4 Park Inn

This freehouse is a single bar pub with a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and is very much a locals pub, having changed little in the past 40 years. In the 19th-century, the pub is recorded as being a 'Beerhouse' owned by William Mortimore, who also owned the village's brewery and 9 other pubs. There is a car park to the left of the premises, together with an extensive garden at the rear. Much of the garden is canopied, you can practice your Table Football skills and watch sport on TV. There are three handpumps on the bar with a rotation of approximately 12 differing ales from mainly South-west breweries such as Dartmoor, Exmoor, Hunters and Teignworthy, to name just a few. Traditional ciders from Bridge Farm and / or Thatchers are also available. Although they don't do food, they boast 27 different types of crisps!

15 Coles Lane, Kingskerswell, TQ12 5BQ  Find out more here

5 Lord Nelson

Known locally as 'the Nellie' it's a cosy two bar pub in the centre of the village. The lounge bar has upholstered high back bench seating, tables, a fireplace and a snug, the 'Admirals Cabin'. The other bar has two open stone fireplaces, alcove seating together with stools at the bar and at a high table. The bars walls are adorned with Trafalgar memorabilia, horse brasses and 1960s era photographs of the village. Regular guest beers. Sunday lunches, booking advised.

47 Fore Street, Kingskerswell, TQ12 5JB Find out more here

6 Hole in the Wall

An atmospheric pub located in a hidden location close to the marina popular with tourists & locals. The low beamed quirky interior boasts a large restaurant serving a variety of foods for all tastes. The narrow passageway with seating and adorned with flowers provides a perfect location for an al fresco drinking area. Reputed to be Torquay’s oldest pub, around 1540, the pub is a real haven for real ale drinkers.

6 Park Lane, Torquay, TQ1 2AU Find out more here

7 Isaac Merritt

Popular Ex-Wetherspoon’s pub with a well-deserved reputation for its extensive range of fine quality hand-pumped real ales and ciders, boasting up to 12 handpumps. The décor is traditional, wood clad with various alcoves, and a covered/heated smoker’s patio to the rear. The theme is around Isaac Merritt Singer, the inventor of the Singer Sewing Machine, it also boasts many interesting pictures distributed around the building including some vintage shots of its hometown – Paignton. The pub is situated towards the edge of town, only minutes from the train/bus stations and is family-friendly. It’s disabled-friendly for both access and the toilets with free Wi-Fi.

54-58 Torquay Road, Paignton, TQ3 3AA Find out more here

8 Henrys Bar

A gem of a traditional town centre pub nicely situated on the main street, closely located to the bus and railway stations and only five minutes from the beach. Boasting an impressive long bar with ample seating, including a pleasant covered seating area at the front. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming with very reasonably priced beers on handpump. There are three regular beers, one guest beer and Sam’s traditional cider on the 5th, plus various bottles and polyboxes. Home-cooked, reasonably priced food is served every day until 9 pm, and there is a highly regarded roast on Sundays. Families are welcome until 10 pm with free Wi-Fi, and dogs are welcome with treats usually on the bar.

53 Torbay Road, Paignton, TQ4 6AJ Find out more here

12 Torbay Inn, Paignton

A real traditional pub with separate lounge and public bars dating back to the early 1600’s when the sea was on its doorstep and it was opposite to a fish market. It is also documented that the Roundhead General Fairfax stayed at the inn prior to a civil war battle in Exeter. A warming welcome awaiting all who visit from locals, staff, landlord and landlady. A mainly rugby supported pub amongst other sports, it also has regular live music, mainly Northern Soul and time is called via a ships bell recovered by a local diver from an old wreck.

34 Fisher Street, Paignton, TQ4 5ER Find out more here

9 Blue Anchor

This 500-year-old building was originally a fisherman's cottage on the left and the right hand side a sail loft. This pub-restaurant now comprises two rooms with exposed stone walls and timber beams, the right hand room being the bar and the left, a dining room.

The “Port and Starboard” restaurant is famed for its “Pub Classics” seafood menu, complemented by a daily selection of specials, all prepared from locally sourced produce.

83 Fore Street, Brixham, TQ5 8AH Find out more here

10 Vigilance

This Wetherspoon pub is in the centre of town and is named after the seventy eight foot heritage sailing ketch, which was built by Uphams in 1926, and that has now been restored to its former glory. Traditional Welsh cider and Devon perry are available.

5 Bolton Street, Brixham, TQ5 9DE Find out more here

11 Queens Arms  (Up the hill by cab or No 17 bus)

A traditional end of terrace single bar pub, off the beaten track from the centre of town, but well worth taking the trouble to find for the real ale and cider aficionado. It features regularly in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide and has been the South Devon CAMRA Pub of the Year in 2014, 2016 & 2020. It boasts 6 changing draught beers and 8 real ciders. Live music on Wednesday and Saturday evenings with a meat draw on Friday evenings and a quiz on Sunday evenings. A charity beer festival takes place in early December.

31 Station Hill, Brixham, TQ5 8BN Find out more here