Exeter

Exeter is the county town of Devon and historically the administrative capital of the south-west peninsula. This historic mid-sized cathedral city offers a good blend of arts, education, retail and history. With a population of around 110,000, it is regularly voted among the top 3 cities in the UK for quality of life. Tourism facilities exist but do not dominate, making it an authentic English city experience.

In AD 50 a Roman military base was built at a strategic crossing point on the banks of the River Exe. The settlement's Roman name, Isca Dumnomiorum, means "town of the Dumnonii tribe." Parts of the original Roman walls can still be seen next to Rougemont Gardens. The city was twice captured by Vikings during the Dark Ages. Following the Norman Conquest, William the Conqueror laid siege and built Rougemont Castle to ensure compliance. During the renaissance, Exeter prospered through the wool industry. It remained a significant seaport until the age of steam but missed later industrialisation. The city was badly damaged in a 1942 incendiary bombing raid on the High Street.

Exeter is well-connected by rail with Exeter St Davids the main station, offering journeys from London Paddington in 2-3 hours (averaging 2 hours 30 minutes). Exeter Central station provides a slower service from London Waterloo via Salisbury. Exeter Airport is located 5 miles east in Clyst Honiton off the A30. The city has a bus station on Paris Street serving local and long-distance coaches.

Exeter is a walkable city with most attractions within the compact city centre. The main train stations are Exeter St Davids (15-minute walk to city centre) and Exeter Central (5-minute walk along Queen Street). Local bus services connect to surrounding areas including Topsham, Exmouth, and Starcross.

Exeter can be visited year-round, though spring and summer offer the best weather for walking tours and outdoor activities along the canal and river. The Christmas period brings festive markets to Cathedral Green. Summer is ideal for enjoying the quayside and taking day trips to nearby beaches at Exmouth and Dawlish Warren.

Exeter offers accommodation across all budgets. Budget travellers can stay at Globe Backpackers (71 Holloway St) at £17 per night. Mid-range options include Premier Inn Exeter Central St Davids from £35 and Leonardo Hotel from £79. For luxury, Hotel du Vin on Magdalen Street offers 4-star rooms with spa from £89. University of Exeter offers B&B accommodation on Streatham Campus during Easter and summer vacations from £60 double.

Exeter's dining scene includes options from casual pubs to fine dining. The Plant (1 Cathedral Yard) offers vegetarian snacks. Dinosaur Café (5 New North Rd) serves Turkish meze at around £15 for three courses. Traditional British pubs like the Hour Glass (21 Melbourne St) offer real ale and pub fare. Italian cuisine is available at On The Water Front (4-9 The Quay) in a 19th-century brick warehouse. For late-night fare, The Old Firehouse (50 New North Rd) serves 14-inch pizzas until the early hours for £7 each.

Exeter Cathedral (EX1 1HS) is the city's top attraction with the world's longest unbroken stone roof beam; entry is £8.50 adults, £6 students/seniors. Underground passages (2 Paris St) offer one-hour tours of the medieval water system for £4.90 adults. The Royal Albert Memorial Museum (Queen St) is free and open Tu-Su. Free guided tours with Redcoat volunteer guides leave from Cathedral Green or the Quay. Sports fans can watch Exeter Chiefs rugby at Sandy Park Stadium or Exeter City FC at St James Park.

The High Street features national clothing and electronics chains. Independent shops concentrate on Fore Street (outdoor goods), Gandy Street, and Cathedral Green. Magdalen Road, a few minutes from the city centre, has award-winning butchers and fishmongers plus handmade jewellery shops. The major Princesshay redevelopment brought new shops including an Apple store. Shopping centres include Guildhall and Harlequins.

Exeter is very safe compared to other UK cities. Homeless people may occasionally ask for money but most are not aggressive and will move on if you politely decline.

As of September 2023, Exeter and its approach roads have 4G coverage from O2 and Vodafone, and 5G from EE and Three.

Exeter serves as a gateway to Dartmoor and Plymouth. Beaches are easily reachable at Exmouth and Dawlish Warren. Scenic towns include Lyme Regis to the east, Totnes, and Dartmouth to the south. The village of Starcross and Dawlish Warren are reachable via the west river bank cycle path. Topsham offers gastronomic dining, while Lympstone and Exmouth are accessible by bike or boat along the canal and river.

From Exeter, Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks offer hiking and outdoor activities. The A30 provides access west to Plymouth and Cornwall, while the M5 motorway connects north to Bristol. The A38 leads to Buckfastleigh and continues to Plymouth. The coastal town of Torquay is accessible via the A380.