Location: Exeter
Top Things to do in Exeter
Top 10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Exeter, England
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. Go-Segway
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 867 reviews
Devon's First & Best Segway Tour Integrate with Nature & Technology on the Segway Trail Tour. Experience the extensive panorama of the Haldon Forest as you glide along effortlessly on the Eco-Friendly Segway Personal Transporter! Taking in woodland tracks and trails this is an unique way to appreciate the glorious beauty Haldon has to offer.BOOKING ESSENTIAL Weekends & Bank Holidays. Prices start from as little as £15.00
2. The Bridge Inn
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 93 reviews
Reviewed By Toby3654 - Devon, United Kingdom
Excellent social distancing measures, very friendly staff, wonderful setting, and (above all) an ever-changing terrific choice of ales. What more could you ask for?
3. Exeter Red Coat Guided Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 329 reviews
These FREE guided walking tours are the perfect way to explore Exeter. Operating daily throughout the year, there is a wide range of tours to choose from. No booking is required, simply choose a tour, meet your Red Coat Guide and discover one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in England. Tours meet outside ABode Exeter (Royal Clarence Hotel), Cathedral Yard. Quayside based tours depart from outside the Quay House Visitor Centre. Tours last approximately 90 minutes unless otherwise stated.
4. Exe Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 90 reviews
The Mobile Outdoor Adventure Centre offers the whole package, Outdoor Adventure activities with minibus pick up and return for Groups! where I instruct and/or guide groups kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding! Welcome to hire boats and boards locally and go it alone too! All special occasions can be catered for including Birthdays, Stags, Hens Corporate Team Building and recruitment. All First Aid, Fire Safety and Pool Lifeguard courses available too.
5. Red House Mysteries Exeter
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 205 reviews
Home to Exeter's most exciting Escape the Room games and running large scale theme events and treasure hunts around the South West, Red House Mysteries are here to intrigue, inspire and thrill.
Reviewed By Berti8780 - Chard, United Kingdom
From the minute we got into the reception it transported you back in time very well thought out and great rooms puzzles well recommended!!! #Completed
6. The VRVE
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 256 reviews
We are the UK's first and No.1 virtual reality experience centre. We offer something for all ages, with a guarantee of something you will have never experienced before! Seek underwater encounters with whales, fend off waves of zombies, fly through the Alps in a wingsuit ...it's entirely up to you!
Reviewed By 440piph
My son and 2 his friends had a brilliant time here. The hour just flew by. They all had an opportunity to try several different games and experiences, and the guy running it was very helpful in ensuring that they were having a variety of VR. It is a totally unique experience and I'm sure we will be back.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Topsham Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 162 reviews
We will be opening for our 2021 Season on Thursday 24th June. We will initially be open from Thursday-Sunday plus Bank Holiday Mondays. The Museum is housed in one of a group of late 17th century buildings overlooking the beautiful Exe Estuary. Visitors can enjoy the furnished period rooms of the original Merchant’s House and the Sail Loft with displays giving a timeline of the town’s general history. Much of the Museum’s focus is on Topsham’s maritime history, with its role as a trade port and ship building centre. Exhibits also include unique historic river craft, local trades and organisations, wildlife of the Exe Estuary and memorabilia of the film star Vivien Leigh. And there is a superb Tea Room and lovely Tea Garden for cream teas, coffee and cakes, and ice cream. Market Gardens in Topsham and the surround area is our 2021 Exhibition.
Reviewed By Sheila457 - Exeter, United Kingdom
Over the years I have been to Topsham Museum many times and taken a wide variety of friends. Some have known Topsham well, others never been here before. The Museum, which is entirely run by volunteers and free to visit, is a treasure trove of artifacts and has items of interest for everyone. It is quite small and well laid out so is easy to get around - and, after your visit don’t forget to sample a cream tea or a piece of cake (all home made) and look at the shop which has some lovely gifts
10. Tuckers Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
The hall has been home to the historic guild of Exeter's ancient cloth trade since the 15th century. The Incorporation of Weavers, Fullers and Shearman has been in continuous occupation of the hall since 1471 and has now opened the hall to the public to share the story of the ancient cloth industry that built Exeter.
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