Summary
Until the advent of the steam age, the university city of Exeter was a flourishing port for the wool trade, supported by one of the UK’s oldest ship canals.
Exeter avoided heavy industry during the 19th century due to its distance from fuel sources, which has contributed to the preservation of its Tudor character.
This city is frequently regarded as one of the most livable in the UK, and its esteemed university contributes a vibrant cultural dynamism.
Visitors can enjoy a picturesque quayside reminiscent of old galleons docking, a stately guildhall, and an exquisite cathedral featuring Norman towers and remarkable Medieval craftsmanship.
Let us explore the top attractions in Exeter:
1. Exeter Cathedral
Initiated at the beginning of the 12th century and completed nearly 300 years later, Exeter Cathedral is filled with remarkable sights.
The most ancient features are the pair of square Norman Romanesque towers that border the nave.
The absence of a central tower has resulted in the longest uninterrupted Medieval vaulted ceiling in the world, measuring just under 100 meters.
Attentive visitors can discern over 400 bosses within the vault, embellished with decorative motifs or historical illustrations such as the assassination of Thomas Becket.
Constructed in 1360, the Minstrels Gallery within the nave showcases 12 angels in niches, each playing a distinct musical instrument.
The astronomical clock boasts a lower face from 1484 featuring a 24-hour dial, while the upper face from 1760 counts the minutes.
Additionally, the remarkable 13th-century misericords in the choir represent the oldest complete set in the UK, including the earliest known depiction of an elephant in the nation.
2. Royal Albert Memorial Museum
In 2011, this museum established in 1868 was inaugurated to wide acclaim following a £24 million refurbishment.
The Royal Albert Memorial Museum was envisioned as a practical tribute to Queen Victoria’s consort, Prince Albert, and is housed in an elaborately designed Gothic Revival structure.
It offers a diverse range of attractions, featuring collections spanning world cultures, natural history, zoology, prehistory, antiquities, and art.
A brief overview of the art collection includes works by Thomas Gainsborough, John Nash, and Barbara Hepworth.
Visitors can examine the cabinets from the studies of Victorian biologist Percy Sladen, who curated one of the largest individual collections of echinoderms (sea stars, sand dollars, and sea urchins). Other noteworthy items include Medieval architectural remnants, Japanese samurai armor, the 14th-century Exeter puzzle jug, and a wall adorned with prehistoric hand axes and spearheads.
3. Historic Quayside
The Historic Quayside along the Exe and the Exeter Ship Canal is among the most picturesque scenes in the city.
During the warmer months, various events occur, including the annual 10k run and outdoor concerts, while pubs, restaurants, and cafes offer waterside seating.
A port of various forms has existed here since prehistoric times, and behind the cobblestone streets lie ancient cellars, 17th and 18th-century warehouses, and the Custom House.
This Custom House, the oldest brick structure in Exeter, dates back to the early 1680s and is easily distinguished by its quoins, pediment, and the cannons displayed out front.
You can cross the Exe using the hand-operated Butts Ferry, which has been servicing this route since 2005, following a line that has existed since 1641. Furthermore, canoes and bikes are available for rent along the quayside, inviting exploration and adventure.
4. Guildhall
A cornerstone of civic life in Exeter since Medieval times, the Guildhall remains in service for City Council meetings.
The Italian Renaissance facade on the High Street, adorned with arcades, Corinthian columns, and mullioned windows, dates back to 1590. Beneath the arches, the city stocks once stood, while the venerable oak door was crafted in 1593. The Council Chamber, decorated with portraits of former mayors and high stewards, originates from the late 1460s but underwent restoration during the Victorian era.
Wooden panels line the walls, displaying the coats of arms of numerous former council members, and intriguing beasts have been intricately carved into the corbels of the beamed ceiling.
Additionally, below the hall lies a vaulted cellar, historically utilized as a dungeon, known as the “Pytt of the Guyldhall.”
5. Cathedral Close
Cathedral Close, tracing Cathedral Green to the north and east, has been at the core of Exeter since Roman times when it hosted a basilica and baths.
This path is lined with Grade I listed buildings from Medieval and Early Modern periods, once housing clergy, canons, and cathedral officials such as the chancellor.
Be sure to notice the half-timbered houses at nos. 7, 8, and 9A, while St Petrock’s Church and St Martin’s Church merit a visit if open.
Mol’s Coffee House, established in 1596, is particularly striking, showcasing a gable, wooden balcony, and pairs of bay windows.
On the second level, visitors can view the royal coat of arms from the 16th century.
Meanwhile, the stucco-fronted Royal Clarence, built in 1769, is noted as the oldest building in England described as a hotel, though it incorporates much older Medieval residences in its structure.
6. Underground Passages
There exists an extensive network of passages beneath Exeter, excavated during the Medieval period to supply drinking water to the city.
This water was transported through lead pipes, which were kept in large vaults to facilitate maintenance without disrupting the surface streets.
Visitors can don hard hats and embark on an underground tour to explore these tunnels, where centuries-old masons’ marks and graffiti can be observed.
Prior to the guided tour, guests will visit the heritage center, which features segments of lead pipe in a display case and interactive exhibits related to hydraulics.
7. Rougemont Gardens
Adjacent to the remnants of Rougemont Castle, there lies a park along the 950-year-old defensive ditches of the fortress.
The castle was established on the northern walls of the Roman city in 1068 during the Norman Conquest.
It later appeared in Shakespeare’s Richard III, and those tried here in 1682 were the last individuals in England executed for witchcraft. The largest fragment still standing is the square early-Norman gatehouse.
The park is bordered to the northwest by a portion of the city wall, beyond which lies Northernay Gardens.
Initially designed in 1612 as a promenade for the populace, Northernay Gardens is recognized as the oldest public open space in England.
8. Bill Douglas Cinema Museum
Located at the Streatham Campus of the University of Exeter, this complimentary museum showcases the history of moving images.
Named after Scottish director Bill Douglas, the museum is a treasure trove for cinema enthusiasts, filled with artifacts such as magic lanterns, shadow puppets, film posters, early cameras, vintage cinema signs, and numerous other curiosities.
Guests can peruse a diverse range of genuine memorabilia chronicling Hollywood’s history, from Charlie Chaplin to Buzz Lightyear.
9. Parliament Street
As a brief diversion, Parliament Street, extending from the High Street and a short stroll from Cathedral Yard, is one of the narrowest streets globally.
Measuring just 63.5 centimeters at its narrowest point, this street was originally laid out in the 1300s.
Previously named Small Lane, it was humorously renamed in the 19th century as a form of protest against the Reform Act of 1832, which reshaped the UK’s electoral system.
10. Haldon Forest Park
Traveling south from Exeter leads you to a mosaic of woodlands known as Haldon Forest.
This area encompasses over 3,500 hectares of both pine and hardwood forests, situated on elevated ground between the River Teign and the Exe estuary.
The Forestry Commission has developed a network of walking paths and biking trails, with bikes available for rent at the “Hub” near the ranger’s office.
Visitors can also enjoy a café, high ropes course, and an activity trail tailored for children, along with downloadable interactive outdoor games inspired by the Lewis Carroll character The Snark.
11. Crealy Great Adventure Park
An ideal destination for outings with young children, Crealy Adventure Park is a themed attraction that first opened in 1989 and continues to expand.
Currently, it features over 60 rides, performances, and amusements, encompassing water rides, small roller coasters, fairground attractions, adventure playgrounds, and an Animal Barn housing both farm and zoo animals.
The park is set within 100 acres of lush Devon countryside, with newer attractions including Dino Jeeps, which take visitors past animatronic dinosaurs, Supersubs for an underwater search for Atlantis, and the Junior Driving School where children can navigate a challenging course.
Moreover, the park now includes Bugz Unlimited, offering up-close encounters with fascinating insects such as Madagascar hissing cockroaches and leafcutter ants.
12. Powderham Castle
Located six miles south of Exeter, Powderham Castle, a Grade I listed structure, is situated on the west bank of the Exe estuary.
The property has origins dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries and underwent significant Gothic Revival enhancements in the mid-19th century.
Remarkably, Powderham Castle has remained within the same family, the Courtenays (Earls of Devon), since its establishment around 1390. Noteworthy interior features include the 18th-century Marble Hall, an elegant mahogany staircase, and the Neoclassical Music Room designed by renowned Georgian architect James Wyatt.
These elements are complemented by priceless artifacts such as a 17th-century Brussels tapestry, a 15th-century intricately carved over-door, and an Axminster carpet from 1798. Outside, children can participate in a treasure trail, engage in arts and crafts at the Nature Nook, and try their hand at planting seeds in the castle’s Potting Shed.
13. Donkey Sanctuary
A lovely sojourn through the picturesque East Devon countryside leads to the Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth, situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Here, you can encounter some of the hundreds of donkeys that the charity rescues annually, all at no cost.
Indoor attractions like the Visitor Centre and Understanding Donkeys Zone elaborate on the sanctuary’s international efforts while sharing knowledge about these remarkable animals.
At Dr Svendsen’s Hut, learn about Dr. Elisabeth Svendsen, the founder of the Donkey Sanctuary in the 1970s.
The location also features a maze, grooming activities, walking trails, and a restaurant offering views over the paddocks and the sea.
14. Topsham Museum
A short drive or a brief 15-minute train ride from Exeter Central station, Topsham Museum is situated within a row of 17th-century merchant houses along the Exe.
Due to its favorable location at the head of the estuary, Topsham once featured shipbuilding docks that constructed early 19th-century warships like HMS Terror and HMS Cyan, with exhibits showcasing this maritime heritage.
The museum also houses a collection of smaller vessels that once navigated the Exe, alongside rooms furnished in period style.
An intriguing highlight is the collection of memorabilia related to film star Vivien Leigh, including a dress worn by her character Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind.
15. Pebblebed Wines
The mild climate and sandstone soils surrounding Exeter are conducive to viticulture, and at Pebblebed, visitors can explore the winery and converse with the vintner.
The winery cultivates Merlot, Rodo, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Seyval Blanc, and Madeleine Angervine, welcoming guests to its vineyard just outside Topsham from May to September.
The label also operates a cellar located just upstream from the quay, where visitors can sample an array of wines paired with tapas crafted from local ingredients.
