Exeter

Devon's cathedral city blending medieval charm with modern vibrancy, featuring a magnificent Gothic cathedral and historic quayside along the River Exe. It serves as an excellent base for exploring Devon and offers excellent museums, shopping, and dining.

Things to do

• Exeter Cathedral — Marvel at this stunning 13th-century Gothic masterpiece with its twin towers and intricate fan-vaulted ceiling in the heart of the city centre.
• Exeter Quay — Stroll along the historic waterfront where Georgian warehouses line the River Exe, now home to cafes, galleries, and riverside walks.
• Royal Albert Memorial Museum — Explore an impressive collection of natural history, world cultures, fine art, and local archaeology in this Victorian building.
• Underground Passages — Descend beneath the medieval city streets to explore 14th-century vaulted passages that once supplied water to the cathedral and city.
• Powderham Castle — Visit this stately home 9 miles south of Exeter set in 3,500 acres of parkland, featuring period rooms and beautiful grounds.
• Exeter Castle Rougemont — Climb to this Norman motte-and-bailey fortress overlooking the city for panoramic views and insights into medieval military architecture.
• Guildhall — Step into this timber-framed Tudor building on the High Street, one of the oldest municipal buildings in England still in use.

Food to try

• Devonshire Cream Tea — Experience the local tradition of scones served with clotted cream and strawberry jam, often accompanied by loose-leaf tea at traditional tea rooms.
• Exeter Seafood — Sample fresh fish and seafood caught in nearby Devonshire waters, including local plaice, sea bass, and crab from the estuary.
• Stew of the West Country — Try hearty beef and root vegetable stews that reflect the region's agricultural heritage, often served in pubs throughout the city.
• Devon Fudge — Purchase rich, buttery fudge made locally in traditional flavours like clotted cream, chocolate, and salted caramel from city centre shops.
• Local Ales from Devon Breweries — Sample ales from nearby breweries like Otter Brewery and Fuller's, available in pubs and reflecting the region's brewing tradition.

Local customs & good to know

• Cathedral services and evensong — Attend a choral evensong at Exeter Cathedral for a deeply spiritual experience that showcases the cathedral's acoustics and musical traditions.
• Market day culture — Visit Exeter's indoor market or High Street on market days to experience local food vendors, crafts, and the social rhythm of the community.
• River-based exploration — The Exe is central to Exeter's identity; locals favour walking or cycling along the quay and using the river as their primary leisure space.
• Historic building appreciation — Exonians take pride in their medieval and Tudor heritage; many locals recommend exploring on foot to discover timber-framed buildings tucked between modern streets.