Location: Exeter
Top Things to do in Exeter
Top 10 Sights & Landmarks 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. Spacex
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
2. Blitz Fountain and the Phoenix Blitz Memorial
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Passp0rtAlwaysReady - Exeter, United Kingdom
I was in town today and thought I would stop off at the Exeter Blitz Memorial, hidden away at the back of Princesshay shopping centre, it’s always peaceful and quiet and just perfect for one to collect thoughts and remember those that had fallen.
3. St Thomas' Pigeon Mosaic
4. Millers Crossing Bridge
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By rayrest - London, United Kingdom
Millers crossing is a pedestrian and cycle bridge crossing the River Exe with playing fields one side and a mill on Bonham road the otherside. Opened in 2002. Very stylish and is a sight to look down on the River Exe.
5. Exeter Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,879 reviews
Lift your gaze to the world’s longest uninterrupted Gothic stone vaulted cathedral ceiling. Discover Scott’s sledging flag from the legendary British Antarctic Expedition. Marvel at the medieval astronomical clock. With a thousand years of history, stunning architecture, unique treasures, musical and spiritual heritage, you’ll feel inspired from the moment you step inside Exeter Cathedral.
6. Exeter Guildhall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 206 reviews
Reviewed By Vanessa-Essex111 - Rayleigh, United Kingdom
Finally managed to have a look around this wonderful historic Building Absolutely stunning inside a birthday treat from my friend well worth a vist
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. St Martin's Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
A thousand year old church at the heart of modern Exeter, St Martin’s props up the black-and-white building of Mol’s Coffee House on a corner of Exeter’s historic Cathedral Close. It is one of the oldest buildings in the city, consecrated in 1065 - a year before the Norman Conquest, and was once one of six churches clustered in the cathedral’s shadow. It is the most important and complete church in the centre of Exeter, having escaped both Victorian refurnishing and the Second World War bombing which severely damaged many other Exeter churches. The first church on this site was consecrated on 6 July 1065 by Bishop Leofric, the same bishop who founded the cathedral in Exeter. Its tiny parish –- smaller than the size of a football pitch –- served the workers and traders who crowded into the three- and four-storey houses in the surrounding streets. The roughcast exterior of red volcanic stone with bright, white Beer stone windows makes it look a little bit like a fancy gingerbread house. Inside it is simple and full of light. Look out for the communion rails with their closely set balusters designed, according to a 17th-century order from the Archbishop of Canterbury, to keep parishioner's’ dogs from reaching the altar! The gallery has painted on it the arms of the city and there are several magnificent monuments in the church including one of local benefactor Philip Hooper - splendidly bewigged, he kneels at a prayer desk with a skull and pile of books.
Reviewed By L3785KOvictoriaf - Bridgwater, United Kingdom
A small but very important church in the history of Exeter. Well worth a visit. Loved the memorial with two skulls carved underneath.
10. Exeter Quay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,529 reviews
Reviewed By exploresleeptravel - Exeter, United Kingdom
Exeter Quay has to be one of the most beautiful places in Exeter. So many lovely restaurants, quirky gift shops and a lovely walk along the river for anyone visiting from afar you MUST take a walk down here.
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