Situated on the River Exe, Exeter is one of the most vibrant, attractive, and historically interesting cities in England. It is the capital city of the county Devon and is known for its architecture, history, and food.
Pre-dating the arrival of the Romans, the city’s history is long and rich. This is presented in the many visitor attractions that Exeter has to offer. Check out our list of recommendations below and be sure to check them out on Your Devon Escape.
Crealy is the perfect place for a day out if you have a child or children under the age of 10. It is a themed attraction park that opened in 1989 and has continued to grow since. It is home to sixty rides, shows and amusements within one-hundred acres of green Devon countryside. Take the kids for the day and it will be fun for all the family. Check out their website to book tickets today and enjoy on Your Devon Escape.
Exeter Cathedral has the longest unbroken stretch of Gothic stone vaulting in the world. It is properly known as the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter, and is an Anglican Cathedral. Step inside and experience one thousand years of wonder. Immerse yourself in the beauty of one of Europe’s most magnificent cathedrals. Choose a guided tour, wander peacefully at your own pace, or join one of their family-friendly activities. They also have a café for those needing a break after exploring and a shop if you want to find something to remember your visit. The cathedral is open 9am-5pm Monday to Saturday, and 11:30am-4pm Sunday. Check out their website today to find out more.
When you feel that you need to escape the high street, head down to the Quayside. Whether you are after an amble, a cream tea or a refreshing drink, the Quayside has it all! Once upon a time, it was an international port thriving through mainly the exporting of woollen cloth, but now is full of adrenaline-fuelled activities, cafés, and restaurants. It is a vibrant and popular area with both tourists and locals. Check out the Quayside website to find out more!
Located just outside of Exeter, enjoy a walk or a bike ride. The Forestry Commission maintains a web of walking paths and bike trails for you to check out. Just a short drive from Totnes, take a gentle stroll or try mountain biking. You can hire bikes from them or take your own. They also have a GO APE located in the forest, so why not try out a high ropes course and see the forest from a different angle. With lots of activities and adventures to be had, check out their website and find the right one for you on Your Devon Escape.
If you need a spot of retail therapy, Exeter’s Princesshay is the place to check out. It offers a contemporary mixture of shopping, leisure, and restaurants. It has an eclectic mix of global High Street brands, mixed in with local one-of-a-kind boutiques. Spend the day popping in and out of the shops between stopping in some of the delicious restaurants and coffee shops. With over 70 high street names plus shops unique to Exeter, you will be sure to find everything you want and need here. Enjoy some retail therapy on Your Devon Escape.
ROYAL ALBERT MEMORIAL MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY
The RAMM is a museum of curiosity and discovery. It is filled with world-class collections and two-thousand years of history under one roof. It offers collections from world cultures and natural history to art and antiquities. There is something for everyone within the building. Spend a morning or afternoon wandering through and discovering before taking a trip to the café for some refreshments. It is open 10am-5pm Tuesday to Saturday, so be sure to check it out on Your Devon Escape.
Sandy Park is home to the rugby union team, Exeter Chiefs. It is not only a stadium but also a conference and banquet centre, located in Exeter. You can reach the stadium by car, train, bus or taxi, making it accessible for all. Check out their website to find out when you can watch a game or enjoy a function at this venue. If you are rugby fan, it is the perfect place to stop on Your Devon Escape. Make a day of it and enjoy the sport as if you are a local, or see if they are playing your local team.
Exeter is the only city in the UK to have underground passages of this type, and guided tours have taken place here since the 1930s. These medieval Passages have always fascinated people, so put a hard hat on and see them for yourself! They represent Exeter’s history of war, plagues, and pestilence. They were designed to bring clean water from natural springs into the city. The water came through pipes and, when these pipes leaked, the only way to fix them was to dig them up. To stop disruptions, these Passages were vaulted, and it is these passages that visitors visit today. You will find centuries-old masons’ marks and graffiti. Before the tour, visitors pass through an interpretation centre, hosting interactive displays such as a full-size model of a section of the Passages, artefacts, and videos. Check out their website to find out more and book your visit today for a unique experience on Your Devon Escape.
For more ideas of places to visit and activities to get involved in on Your Devon Escape, check out our journal. And to let us know how you are getting on, share your staycation photos with #yourdevonescape, or tag us on Facebook @YourDevonEscape or on Instagram @your_devon_escape.