Coast, countryside and culture await you in this vibrant city, tucked away in the southwest corner of England 🗺️
Exeter makes a fantastic staycation break, offering the buzz of a historic city with the relaxation of a coastal break. Here are 10 things to do in Exeter for an unforgettable UK staycation.
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1. Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery
Want to travel the world and back in time, all without leaving Devon? RAMM makes it possible! This renowned museum and art gallery has something for everyone, from taxidermied animals to contemporary art! The best thing? Entry is completely free, so you can save your cash for the next activity (or spend it in the gift shop!). With a cosy café onsite, you can easily while away an afternoon here if the weather’s wet.
2. Exeter Quayside Farmers’ Market
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Head to Piazza Terracina on the third Saturday of each month to catch the farmers’ market. Here, you’ll find everything from freshly baked sourdough and locally-grown produce to cut flowers, crafts and charity stalls. The line-up changes every month, so there’s always something fresh to discover. Opening hours are 9am to 1pm, so grab a coffee at one of the nearby cafés and start your morning with a mooch around the market!
3. Exeter Cathedral
Dominating Exeter’s skyline, the Cathedral Church of St Peter is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful churches in England. It’s a great place for architecture, history and photography lovers, with ornate Gothic features and intricately carved sculptures. You’ll even find the largest and highest bishop’s throne canopy ever constructed here – standing at a whopping 18 metres tall, it’s a wonder of 14th-century woodwork.
4. AS Watersports
Want to explore the city by water? AS Watersports sits right on Exeter’s ship canal and offers paddleboard, canoe and kayak hire. This calm stretch of water is ideal for beginners and the team provides all the safety kit you’ll need to cruise around confidently. We recommend taking one of their double kayaks down to the Double Locks pub for a quick drink – a round trip that takes about 2 hours.
Fancy making a day of it? Explore the full canal and spot kingfishers and grey wagtails around the nearby Devon Wildlife Trust Reserves.
5. Dartmoor National Park
Just a 20-minute drive from Exeter, Dartmoor National Park is 368 sprawling miles of granite tors and moorland covered in heather. The wild landscape is peaked by High Willhays, which also happens to be the highest point in southern England!
Walk or cycle along its many trails or ponder the ancient mysteries of its Bronze Age hut circles and standing stones. This wild landscape’s variety and vastness make it an excellent day out for adventurers, history buffs, and nature lovers – you might even spot semi-wild Dartoor ponies.
6. RHS Garden Rosemoor
Who doesn’t love a good stroll around a beautiful garden? The Royal Horticultural Society’s Rosemoor estate is one of the best in the UK, comprising 65 acres of botanical bliss. The star of the show is the enormous rose garden, which contains around 2000 plants.
Summer is the best time to visit, when the smell of thousands of roses fills the air. That said, the garden is open all year round and is worth the trip in all seasons – enjoy a Devon cream tea at the garden’s quaint Wisteria Tea Room for the full experience.
7. St Nicholas Priory
St Nicholas Priory is the oldest building in Exeter (and that’s saying something, considering the city is around 2000 years old!). Offering a glimpse into Tudor and monastic life, it’s a great day out for those who love medieval history and architecture. The building was originally built to serve as a monastery, but was adapted as a Tudor residence in the Middle Ages.
8. Exeter Historic Guildhall
Like Exeter’s answer to Westminster, the city’s Historic Guildhall is both an ancient monument and a busy working building. In fact, it’s claimed to be the oldest municipal building in England still in use, having been the centre of civic life for over 800 years! Step inside and marvel at its lavish Victorian interiors, which feature intricate wooden panelling, majestic brass chandeliers, and classical paintings.
A guided tour will show you round the Great Hall, Jury Room, and Mayor’s Parlour – all filled with tales from when the building served as a court, prison, market and town hall.
9. Exmouth Beach
Need somewhere to relax in between activities? There’s no better place than Exmouth Beach. This two-mile-long stretch of soft golden sand is perfect for building sandcastles, playing beach games, or getting lost in a good book. In the warmer months, you can try your hand at watersports – nearby Edge Watersports offers paddleboard, kitesurf, and windsurf hire and lessons right on the beach!
With donkey rides, crazy golf and plenty of cafés and ice cream stands nearby too, this place has all the makings of a classic British seaside escape.
10. Haldon Forest Park
Escape the bustle of the city for the leafy trails of Haldon Forest Park, just 15 minutes from Exeter. The park’s all-weather walking and cycling trails make it suitable for everyone all year round. Hire bikes from Forest Cycle Hire, test your strength at Go Ape, or try your hand at one of the south west’s largest orienteering courses.
With plenty of play areas, picnic spots and regular events happening throughout the year, it’s a fantastic day out for the whole family.
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