Northernhay Gardens sits at the northern edge of Exeter city centre, adjacent to the city walls and a short walk from Exeter Central station - making it a genuinely useful reference point for travellers who need both city access and a straightforward route to Exeter International Airport. The hotels in this guide range from properties directly near the airport perimeter to city-centre options that keep Northernhay Gardens within reach while still offering practical connectivity for early departures or late arrivals.
What It's Like Staying Near Northernhay Gardens
Northernhay Gardens occupies a calm, elevated strip between the old Roman city walls and the commercial core of Exeter, placing guests within a 10-minute walk of Exeter Central station, the Cathedral Quarter, and the main retail streets. The area stays relatively quiet at night compared to the High Street or Quayside, which suits travellers who want city access without noise exposure. Staying here means you're within walking reach of central Exeter's key landmarks, but airport-bound travellers should factor in that Exeter International Airport is around 5 miles north-east of the city - accessible by taxi or the number 56 bus from the city centre.
Why Choose Airport Hotels Near Northernhay Gardens
Airport hotels near Northernhay Gardens serve a practical dual role: they offer proximity to Exeter city centre for sightseeing or business during the day, while providing either direct airport access or fast transit links for early-morning or late-night flights. Properties near the airport itself sit roughly 5 miles from Northernhay Gardens, meaning the trade-off is straightforward - you gain airport convenience but lose walkable city access. City-centre hotels in this guide keep Northernhay Gardens close but require a short drive or bus ride to the airport, typically under 20 minutes outside peak hours.
Pros:
- * Direct or fast access to Exeter International Airport without city traffic stress
- * City-centre options allow same-day sightseeing before or after a flight
- * Several properties in this category include free parking, cutting transfer costs
- * Airport-perimeter hotels sit too far from Northernhay Gardens to walk
- * City-centre airport hotels may charge for parking, adding to overnight costs
- * Limited dining options near the airport perimeter after 9 PM
Practical Booking & Area Strategy
For travellers prioritising both Northernhay Gardens access and airport connectivity, properties along Queen Street and New North Road sit closest to the gardens while remaining on direct bus corridors to the airport. Exeter Central station - under 5 minutes' walk from Northernhay Gardens - connects to St James' Park and St Thomas areas, giving additional transit flexibility. If you're flying via Exeter International Airport early in the morning, booking a hotel on the eastern side of the city (along Honiton Road or near the Met Office business park) cuts your airport transfer to under 10 minutes by car, avoiding city-centre congestion entirely. The Quayside, Guildhall Shopping Centre, and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum are all within 15 minutes' walk of the gardens, making a central base worthwhile if you have time before or after your flight. Book at least 6 weeks ahead during the summer peak (June-August) and during Exeter's Respect Festival period, when city-centre accommodation fills quickly and airport-area properties also see higher demand from outbound tourists.
Best Value Airport Hotels
These properties offer the strongest combination of price, practical airport access, and usable facilities for travellers passing through Exeter - whether connecting to a flight or using the city as a base.
-
1. Holiday Inn Express Exeter East By Ihg
Show on map -
2. Fair Oak House Exeter Airport
Show on map -
3. St Andrews Hotel
Show on map -
4. Townhouse Exeter
Show on map
Best Premium Airport Hotel Stays
These properties offer stronger facilities, more distinctive settings, or superior food and drink options - suited to travellers who want more than a functional overnight stop near Exeter Airport.
-
5. Holiday Inn Express - Exeter - City Centre By Ihg
Show on map -
6. White Hart, Exeter By Marston'S Inns
Show on map -
7. The Globe
Show on map
Smart Travel & Timing Advice for Exeter Airport Stays
Exeter International Airport operates with noticeably higher passenger volumes between late June and early September, when Southwest England holiday traffic peaks and flights to Mediterranean destinations run at full capacity. Book airport-adjacent properties at least 6 weeks ahead during this window - Fair Oak House in particular has limited rooms and sells out faster than city-centre options. The quietest booking window is November through February, when rates at city-centre properties like The White Hart and Townhouse Exeter drop and availability is wide. If your flight is before 7 AM, staying airport-side (Fair Oak House or Holiday Inn Express Exeter East) eliminates the risk of city traffic delays entirely. For stays of 2 nights or more, a central Exeter base near Northernhay Gardens gives better value - you can use public transport or a single taxi to the airport rather than paying for airport-area parking across multiple nights. The Exeter Festival of South West Food & Drink (typically April) and the Exeter Respect Festival (July) both drive accommodation demand across the city, so factor these into your booking timeline if your travel dates overlap.