Location: Exeter
Top Things to do in Exeter
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Things to do in Exeter, England: The Best Points of Interest & Landmarks
Exeter (/ˈɛksɪtər/ ( listen)) is a cathedral city in Devon, England, with a population of 129,800 (mid-2016 est.). The city is on the River Exe about 37 miles (60 km) northeast of Plymouth and 70 miles (110 km) southwest of Bristol. It is the county town of Devon, and the home of Devon County Council.
Restaurants in Exeter
1. Spacex
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
2. St Thomas' Pigeon Mosaic
3. Devon Heritage Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
*The Devon Heritage Centre is temporarily closed – we look forward to welcoming you when we reopen* Devon Heritage Centre holds all types of historical archives relating to the county of Devon and the City of Exeter (excluding Plymouth.) They include records of churches and chapels, of county, district and parish councils and of many families, estates, schools and other organisations. The popular West Country Studies Library is also located here. Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 10.00 am – 5.00 pm The 3rd Saturday of each month 9.00 am – 1.00 pm
4. Exeter Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,879 reviews
Lift your gaze to the world’s longest uninterrupted Gothic stone vaulted cathedral ceiling. Discover Scott’s sledging flag from the legendary British Antarctic Expedition. Marvel at the medieval astronomical clock. With a thousand years of history, stunning architecture, unique treasures, musical and spiritual heritage, you’ll feel inspired from the moment you step inside Exeter Cathedral.
5. St Nicholas Priory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
11th century venue for cultural and creative excellence in the 21st century. Performance venue, historic building. @nixpriory
Reviewed By L3785KOvictoriaf - Bridgwater, United Kingdom
It's fascinating to see how the building has been used over the centuries. Loved the ceiling with the original wooden beams. Conservation work is ongoing. The parlour is stunning. You can have a tour or go round on your own. The refectory is across the lane which the guide will take you round if it's open. Well worth seeing.
6. Exeter Quay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,529 reviews
Reviewed By exploresleeptravel - Exeter, United Kingdom
Exeter Quay has to be one of the most beautiful places in Exeter. So many lovely restaurants, quirky gift shops and a lovely walk along the river for anyone visiting from afar you MUST take a walk down here.
7. Underground Passages
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 613 reviews
In light of the advice from the Government about COVID-19 the Underground Passages are closed to the public until further notice. Dating from 14th century, these medieval passages under Exeter High Street are a unique ancient monument: no similar system of passages can be explored by the public elsewhere in Britain. The Passages have long exercised a fascination over local people, with stories of wars and sieges, plague and pestilence! Their purpose was simple: to bring clean drinking water from natural springs in fields lying outside the walled city, through lead pipes into the heart of the city. The pipes sometimes sprang leaks and repairs to buried pipes could only be carried out by digging them up as we do today. To avoid this disruption the passages were vaulted and it is down some of these vaulted passageways that visitors are guided.The Passages are dark and narrow with a fascinating history. Visitors can experience interactive and educational exhibits in the Underground Passages Heritage Centre and watch a short video presentation before their guided tour.
Reviewed By JakeCox
Top of our list of things to do (along with the brilliant Royal Albert Museum - see other review) were the famed underground passages of Exeter's interesting past. We booked out tickets for the next tour, beginning in about 45 minutes' time, browsed a few nearby shops and then made our way back and downstairs ready for the tour to begin. In the room downstairs there is plenty to keep you occupied and interested as you wait for everyone in the tour group to gather. Next you go through to a room where there are lockers for your belongings and are shown a short video explaining the history of the tunnels as well as a brief introduction from the tour guide. Kitted up with hard hats you begin the journey through the passages of varying height and width, occasionally pausing as the guide gives very informative pointers on the history surrounding the area you're currently in. As a man exceeding 6 foot in height I found myself ducking a lot and being thankful for the hard hat but this is to be expected and didn't infringe upon my enjoyment at all. The stops are always timed for areas where the ceiling is of comfortable height so don't worry about being stuck doubled over for any significant length of time. You're also able to leave the tour at any point (provided you notify the guide of course) if you become claustrophobic so if that's an initial concern then see how you go at least. Later on in the tour you're given the choice of two routes. One path leads you back through a comfortable height tunnel, the other through a very low tunnel. Needless to say I chose the former. If you're below 6 feet tall and have no back or knee issues then you'll be fine - it's only a short route. If in doubt though, take the comfortable route and wait for the others to emerge; some muddy-handed if they had to steady themselves through the low tunnel! Great fun and our tour guide Alex was excellent. Defninitely recommend this.
8. St Stephen's
9. The Medieval Exe Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 47 reviews
Reviewed By bparkercars - Yateley, United Kingdom
Came across The Medieval bridge whislt visiting The Quay. Amazing to realise that this narrow bridge used to be the main crossing. Several arches and what still intact can be walked on.
