As far as known the Bicton Inn started life in about 1838, possibly as a newly built house and aptly called "The New Inn".

It is mentioned in "Robson's Directory" of that year as being kept by Mr John Tavener. On December 10th 1838, ~ "Truman's Flying Post" (an Exeter newspaper) reported ~ "Married. On 10th Dec. at Stoke Canon, Mr John Tavener, Maltster, of Exmouth to Miss Ann White of Stoke Canon".

It is quite probable that before the "New Inn", a beerhouse had existed on the site but there is no evidence that can be substantiated at the present time. In any case it would have been a very modest affair as there is no mention in the Victualler's records, which ceased in 1827. Robson's Directory of 1839 confirms the landlord as Mr John Tavener and he is described as an innkeeper at the baptism of his son on November 13th of the same year. Pigatts Directory 1844 describes No's 545 & 546 Yard and inn held by John Tavener.

The Premises occupied the whole of the frontage to South Street from Pound Street to Bicton Street, with the yard on the corner of Bicton Street. John Tavener died on July 23rd 1845 aged 51 and the license was taken by his widow Ann. She is named in Pigatts Directory of 1850 but by 1852 she had relinquished the license to George Cook who is mentioned in Slater's Directory of that year, described as being in South Town which was the name given to the area in general.

There is no record of the inn brewing it's own beer, though it is quite possible that brewing was carried on and in any case there was a supply close to hand, for on the opposite side of Pound Street, a little higher up was a very old established brewery belonging to the Radford family and known as the "South Town Brewery. Between 1852 and 1854 the name changed to the "Red Lion".

Trewmans Flying Post reported on 15th June 1854~ Exmouth Petty Sessions. Henry Bastin, landlord of the Red Lion was fined three pounds and expenses, for selling beer on Sunday morning 4th June.

Kelly's Directory, dated 1856 confirms the change of name and Henry Bastin who was in partnership with his brother, Benjamin Butter Bastin. Between them they also held "The Globe" (Exmouth's principal inn) and "The Marine Hotel" on the Beacon. They were also farmers and kept the wine and spirit business in Wellington place (now the Tower Street Methodist Church). Billing's directory 1857 gives the same occupier.

By 1866 the name had changed to "The Bicton Inn" and most probably it is during this period that the buildings existing today were erected. The new landlord was William Henry Dyer, but he died at the early age of 38, in January 1871 leaving the business to his wife Mrs Sophia Dyer who is named in Kelly's directory 1873 and 1878. She had given up by 1883 when Samuel Reed is mentionioned in Kelly's. In 1889 George Salter took over and he stayed after 1897 but had gone by 1906 when the license was held by John Henry Dyer who remained until sometime between 1926 and 1930.

After this period there were a succession of licensees starting with Leslie Hearn, next were Messrs A.D. Parr, W. Thomas, E.G. Holden, M.A. Ferris, H. Berry, D. Roach, H.C. Fellender, R. Turpin, W.T. Averill, R. Inglehart, Tom an Jan Nichols, John Salter, John Parker, to the present day licensee Allan & Alison Brockbank who took over the house in 1991.