Short breaks in Exeter, Devon

As a bustling modern city, visitors to Exeter should allow plenty of time to discover all the city has to offer, both historically and culturally.

Exeter Cathedral

Walk along Commerical Road and you'll reach the old port area of the city known as the Quay. There has always been a quay in Exeter and today it's a popular part of the city, populated by lively bars, shops and boat trips. Years ago the quay was essential to the city, where cloth produced locally was loaded onto ships. Just off Quay Hill you'll see Customs House which was built in the 1680's for officals who collected taxes on goods. The Quay House Visitor Centre shows the importance of the quayside back in Roman times and shows the development over the years up to the present day.

Walking round the city you won't fail to see the magnificent sight of St Peter's Cathedral. The building is of Gothic architecture along with two Norman towers and inside it features the longest gothic ceiling in the world. The ornamental carvings in the ceiling (bosses) were repainted in 1975, one of which shows the murder of Thomas Beckett in 1170. Free guided tours on the cathedral are available between March and October. Entrance to the cathedral is free of charge although donations are encouraged to assist in the upkeep of the building.

The neo-gothic building located on Queen Street happens to be one of the most visited attractions in the city, the Royal Albert Memorial Museum. Downstairs is devoted to local history and natural history including many stuffed animals and birds which entertain smaller visitors. Upstairs the galleries have exhibitions devoted to art, clock making and classic Devon ceramics and silverware. Entrance to the museum is free of charge, a gift shop and cafe are available if you fancy a break between exhibitions.

For a more contemporary attraction, Exeter has the Bill Douglas Centre. Opened in 1997, the centre commemorates the Scottish film maker best known for the trilogy of films made in the 1970's based on his own life. Film lovers can see displays of early cameras and other film memorabilia used over the years. The centre has different events and exhibitions on display including Laurel and Hardy and Disney.

Many of Exeter's sites can be seen on foot so it's worth exploring, alternatively you can enjoy everything by open top bus, which you can hop on and off whenever you like.

Further information:

Quay House Visitor Centre

The Quay House building was used to store cloth and other goods before they were loaded and transported down the canal. It also had an overhanging roof, which enabled cargos to load and unload out of the rain.

Today the history and development of Exeter's Quayside is brought to life with lively displays, illustrations and artefacts. There is also the opportunity to see "Exeter - 2,000 years of history," an exciting audio-visual presentation highlighting Exeter's history from Roman times to the present day.

The Quay House Visitor Centre also provides tourist information, Quayside treasure hunts, an accommodation booking service and a gift shop selling local pottery, replica maps and a wide range of local interest books.

46 The Quay, Exeter EX2 4AN
Tel: 01392 271611
Website: www.exeter.gov.uk/quayhouse

Opening: April - October Daily 10am - 5pm; November - March Saturday & Sunday 11am - 4pm. Admission Free

Exeter's Underground Passages

Exeter's Underground Passages re-opened in September 2007 with a brand new visitor centre packed with interactive exhibits and improved interpretation.

The Passages have long exercised a fascination over local people, bringing stories of buried treasure, secret escape routes, passages for nuns and priests - even a ghost on a bicycle! 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.

A guided tour of Exeter's Underground Passages is a memorable event - narrow, dark, interesting and exciting. These are the only passages of this kind open to the public in Britain.

2 Paris Street, Exeter EX1 1GA
Tel: 01392 665887
Website: www.exeter.gov.uk/passages

Exeter's Red Coat Guided Tours

These free guided walking tours are the perfect way to explore Exeter. No booking is required, simply choose a tour, meet your Red Coat Guide and spend 90 minutes discovering one of the oldest cities in England.

Learn why Exeter is reputed to be one of England's most haunted cities in the spooky Ghosts and Legends tour, explore Exeter's catacomb by torchlight on the Catacomb and 21 The Mint tour, or discover interesting facts about Exeter's history from pre-Roman times right up until the most recent developments of the 21st century with Exeter Old and New. These are just a few of the fascinating tours you can join on the extensive Red Coat Guided Tour programme.

Tours begin outside the Royal Clarence Hotel in Cathedral Yard, or from the Quay House Visitor Centre.

Opening: Operating every day throughout the year except Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Tel: 01392 265203
Website: www.exeter.gov.uk/guidedtours

Exeter Visitor Information & Tickets

Exeter Visitor Information & Tickets provides a wide range of services to help make your stay in the area as enjoyable as possible.

Exeter Visitor Information stocks a wide variety of information on places to visit, activities and events in the local area and the rest of the region, as well as information on transport and other local facilities. Exeter Tickets sell tickets for local theatre productions and a wide range of special events in the city.

Help can be offered with:

  • Brochures and leaflets
  • Bus and train times
  • National Express tickets
  • Tickets to various attractions and theatre productions
  • Day trips from Exeter
  • Events information
  • A wide range of maps, local books and souvenirs

Address: Dix's Field, Exeter EX1 1GF
Tel: 01392 665700
Fax: 01392 665260
Email: evit@exeter.gov.uk
Websites: www.exeter.gov.uk/visiting / www.exeterandessentialdevon.com

Opening hours: Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm; Sundays in July & August 10am - 4pm; Bank Holidays 10am - 4pm. Reduced opening Christmas & New Year.

See also: Map of Exeter