Things to Do in Exeter

The choice of things to do in Exeter is wide and varied, especially in a city shaped by centuries of history and heritage. From Roman foundations to striking medieval architecture, its colourful past is still visible today — yet it has also evolved into a modern and vibrant destination popular with sightseers from across the UK and beyond.

Visitors exploring landmarks such as Exeter Cathedral or walking along the historic Exeter Quayside quickly discover how easily old and new sit side by side. Alongside historic streets, you’ll find excellent shopping areas, independent boutiques, a growing restaurant scene and a busy calendar of events throughout the year — from festivals and markets to theatre, live music and seasonal celebrations — making Exeter a great place to visit whether you're planning a day trip, a weekend break or simply looking for things to do in Exeter this weekend.

Tourists and day-trippers join local residents in enjoying everything the city has to offer — whether that means visiting museums such as the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, discovering quieter corners of the centre, or simply relaxing in one of the green open spaces nearby.

This guide brings together a selection of the most rewarding and enjoyable experiences, from well-known landmarks to free activities and local favourites. Whether you are visiting for the first time or returning to explore more of the city, there is always something new to discover.

If you're looking for a shorter curated overview, you may also enjoy our 25 Best Things to Do in Exeter (2026).

Exeter Cathedral

You are greeted once inside Exeter Cathedral by the longest unbroken Gothic vault ceiling in the world — an extraordinary feature that immediately highlights the scale and craftsmanship of this medieval landmark. Built largely between the 12th and 14th centuries, the cathedral has stood at the heart of Exeter for generations.

Visitors can admire the richly carved West Front, historic chapels and the famous 15th-century astronomical clock, while special roof and tower tours (available at certain times) offer panoramic views across the city. The cathedral also hosts concerts and seasonal events throughout the year, making it both a historic treasure and an active part of modern Exeter life.

You can read more about the cathedral’s history and its place in the city on our Cathedral page, and browse our events calendar for selected listings across Exeter.

Local tip: If you visit later in the afternoon, you may catch the sunlight as it filters through the stained glass windows.

Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM)

Following an extensive refurbishment completed in 2011, the Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) re-established itself as one of Exeter’s leading cultural attractions. Known locally simply as RAMM, it remains a favourite with residents and visitors wanting to gain a deeper understanding of the city and its wider connections.

Housed in an impressive Victorian building close to the centre of Exeter, the museum brings together collections reflecting both local heritage and stories from around the world. Roman finds discovered in and around Exeter sit alongside fine art, natural history displays and regularly changing exhibitions, meaning there is usually something new to discover.

With free entry and a relaxed atmosphere, RAMM makes an easy addition to any day exploring the city — particularly if the Devon weather turns unpredictable. You can explore more background on our dedicated museum page, or browse our events calendar for selected cultural listings taking place across the city.

Local tip: Keep an eye out for Gerald the giraffe, one of the museum’s most recognisable residents and a firm favourite with younger visitors.

Exeter Quayside

Exeter’s historic Quayside is a very popular area with local residents and tourists alike, offering plenty to see and do. Once a thriving trading port, the Quayside has developed into one of the most attractive and relaxed parts of the city.

Set alongside the River Exe, it’s ideal for a gentle waterside walk, cycling along the Exe Estuary Trail or simply enjoying time in one of the independent cafés and pubs that line the quay. Kayakers and rowers are often seen on the water, adding to the lively but unhurried atmosphere.

For more background on the area and its history, you can explore our dedicated Quayside page, or browse our events calendar for selected seasonal activities taking place across the city.

Local tip: It’s particularly pleasant in the early evening or on a sunny morning, when the river is at its calmest and the area feels at its most peaceful.

Exeter's Underground Passages

Exeter’s Underground Passages are often overlooked by shoppers and visitors walking through the city centre, many of whom are oblivious to the network of medieval tunnels running beneath their feet. Built in the 14th century, these passages were originally constructed to house pipes that carried fresh drinking water into the city.

Today, guided tours take visitors below ground, offering an insight into Exeter’s engineering ingenuity and its medieval past. The atmosphere feels a world away from the busy streets above, making it one of the city’s more unusual and memorable attractions.

You can read more about the history of the passages and tour information on our dedicated page, or browse our events calendar for selected seasonal activities taking place across the city.

Local tip: The passages can be narrow in places and access is via guided tour only, so it’s worth checking availability in advance — particularly during school holidays.

Red Coat Guides

Exeter’s Red Coat Guides offer visitors the opportunity to explore the city on foot with a team of knowledgeable volunteer guides who lead a variety of free walking tours throughout the year.

These guided walks provide an engaging introduction to the history, architecture and stories that have shaped Exeter over the centuries. Whether you are visiting for the first time or have lived locally for years, the tours often reveal details that might otherwise go unnoticed when exploring alone, even for long-time residents.

You can find more information about the Red Coat Guides and their walking tours on our dedicated page, or browse our events calendar for selected heritage and cultural listings taking place across the city.

Local tip: Tours are generally free and operate on a first-come basis, so it’s worth checking times and meeting points in advance — particularly during the busier summer months.

Cathedral Close

Cathedral Close, dominated by Exeter Cathedral, sits right in the centre of the city just moments from the High Street. Despite its central location, it feels surprisingly open and peaceful, with wide green lawns and historic buildings framing the space.

Surrounded by centuries-old architecture, cafés and independent shops, Cathedral Close is often considered the heart of Exeter. It regularly hosts events throughout the year, from seasonal markets to open-air performances, and is a natural meeting point for both residents and visitors.

You can read more about the history of Cathedral Close on our dedicated page, or browse our events calendar for selected listings taking place in and around the city.

Local tip: On a sunny day it’s one of the best places in the city to pause for a coffee or simply sit on the grass and take in the view of the cathedral.

Northernhay Gardens

Northernhay Gardens provides a welcome green space close to Exeter’s historic heart. Laid out in the 17th century and bordered by sections of the old Roman and medieval walls, the gardens offer a quieter contrast to the nearby High Street.

Mature trees, seasonal flower displays and gently winding paths make it a pleasant place for a short stroll or a quiet pause away from the busier parts of the city.

You can read more about the history of the gardens and nearby landmarks on our dedicated page, or browse our events calendar for selected outdoor and community listings taking place across the city.

Local tip: Visit in autumn when the trees begin to turn — the changing colours add a completely different feel to the gardens and make it one of the prettiest spots in the city at that time of year.

Rougemont Castle & Gardens

Rougemont Castle & Gardens stands just beyond Northernhay Gardens and was built shortly after the Norman Conquest. Named after the red volcanic rock on which it sits, the castle once formed an important defensive stronghold overlooking the city.

Although much of the original fortress has disappeared over time, the surviving gatehouse and fragments of stonework still hint at Exeter’s strategic importance through the centuries. Today, the surrounding gardens provide a quieter green space, where lawns and mature trees soften what was once a defensive site.

You can read more about the castle and its history on our dedicated page.

Local tip: It’s an easy extension to walk through to Northernhay Gardens, with paths linking the two areas together.

Exeter’s Roman & Medieval Walls

Exeter’s Roman & Medieval Walls trace the outline of what was once a formidable defended settlement. Long before the Normans arrived, Exeter was a Roman fortress, and sections of its ancient walls can still be seen around the city centre — sometimes obvious, sometimes hidden in plain sight.

Walking alongside the surviving stretches offers a tangible connection to Exeter’s early beginnings, when the city was known as Isca Dumnoniorum. Though time has reshaped much of the structure, enough remains to remind visitors that Exeter has been defended and defined by its walls for nearly two thousand years.

You can explore more about the castle, gardens and surviving wall sections on our dedicated page.

Local tip: Look out for surviving stretches near Northernhay and along the old city boundary — they’re easy to miss if you’re not looking.

Exeter Guildhall

Exeter Guildhall stands in the heart of the city on the High Street and is one of the oldest municipal buildings in England still in use for its original purpose. Parts of the structure date back to the 12th century, and it has played an important role in the civic life of Exeter for hundreds of years.

Inside, visitors can see the historic council chamber, period features and displays outlining the building’s long and varied history. The Guildhall has witnessed royal visits, trials and significant local moments, making it an important part of Exeter’s story.

You can discover more about its history and visiting details on our dedicated Guildhall page.

Local tip: Admission is free when open to the public, and it’s well worth stepping inside — many people walk past without realising they can visit.

Shopping in Exeter

For those looking to browse the city centre, shopping in Exeter blends well-known high street names with smaller independent shops tucked away in historic side streets. Whether you are searching for fashion, gifts, books or something a little different, the city offers a good mix within a compact and walkable centre.

Modern shopping sits comfortably alongside the old. Around the Princesshay area you’ll find many familiar national retailers, while nearby streets such as Gandy Street and Fore Street offer more independent boutiques and specialist stores. The historic setting gives shopping here a slightly different feel, with medieval lanes and Georgian façades never far from view.

Cafés and restaurants are woven throughout, making it easy to pause and enjoy the atmosphere between shops.

Local tip: Don’t just stick to the main thoroughfares — some of Exeter’s most interesting independent shops are found just off the High Street.

Dining & Nightlife in Exeter

Exeter’s food scene has grown steadily in recent years, with everything from traditional pubs and cosy cafés to modern restaurants and independent eateries dotted throughout the city centre and along the Quayside. Whether you are looking for a relaxed lunch, a special evening meal or simply somewhere to pause for coffee, there is plenty of choice within easy walking distance.

Historic streets such as Cathedral Close and Gandy Street offer characterful settings for dining, while the Quayside provides waterside views during the warmer months. From long-established local favourites to newer additions reflecting changing tastes, Exeter’s restaurant scene continues to evolve. For a selection of places to eat across the city, browse our restaurants directory.

As evening falls, the atmosphere shifts slightly, with bars and late-opening venues adding energy to parts of the city centre. You can explore our Exeter nightlife page for ideas on where to go after dark.

Local tip: Many popular restaurants can be busy at weekends, so it’s worth booking ahead — especially during major events and university term time.

Events & Festivals in Exeter

Exeter hosts a varied programme of events throughout the year, bringing the city’s streets and historic spaces to life. From seasonal celebrations and food festivals to live music, theatre performances and community gatherings, there is usually something happening whatever the time of year.

Cathedral Green, the Quayside and the city centre often provide the backdrop for larger public events, while smaller venues and independent spaces add their own character to the calendar. These occasions give visitors another reason to explore and allow residents to see familiar surroundings in a different light.

For ideas on what might be happening during your stay, our Exeter Events Calendar brings together a selection of events and seasonal highlights from across the city.

Free Things to Do in Exeter

One of the pleasures of visiting Exeter is that many of the experiences already mentioned can be enjoyed without spending very much at all. A walk around Cathedral Close, the remains of the Roman and medieval walls, and the open spaces of Northernhay and Rougemont Gardens are all freely accessible and offer a strong sense of the city’s long history.

The Quayside is another area that rewards a simple stroll, with riverside views, historic warehouses and space to pause and watch activity on the water. Even exploring the city centre itself — with its mix of old lanes, independent shops and historic buildings — can easily fill an afternoon.

Seasonal events and community celebrations often provide free entertainment, and those attending services can step inside the Cathedral at no charge.

Exeter’s compact layout makes it ideal for discovering on foot, and sometimes the most enjoyable moments come simply from wandering and taking in the surroundings.

Local tip: Allow time to explore beyond the main streets — some of Exeter’s quieter corners are among its most rewarding.

Sports & Leisure in Exeter

From professional and amateur sports to leisure centres and golf courses, sports and leisure in Exeter offer a wide range of opportunities to stay active. The city is home to well-supported rugby and football clubs, while local sports clubs cater for everything from cricket and tennis to rowing and athletics.

For those looking for something more relaxed, there are public leisure centres with swimming pools and fitness facilities, as well as golf courses and sports grounds on the outskirts of the city. The Quayside and surrounding countryside also provide space for cycling, running and watersports.

Whether you are visiting for a match, taking part in an event or simply looking to keep active during your stay, Exeter has options to suit different interests and abilities.

Local tip: If you are travelling to Exeter for a match or sporting event, it’s worth planning ahead and booking your Exeter accommodation early — especially during busy weekends.

Discover Exeter at Your Own Pace

Exeter may be compact, but it offers a surprising variety of experiences within easy reach. From its long and colourful history to its modern shops, restaurants and year-round events, the city continues to evolve while still retaining its distinctive character.

Whether you are visiting for a few hours, a weekend break or are fortunate enough to live nearby, there is always something new to notice — sometimes in the most familiar of places. We hope this guide helps you discover more of what Exeter has to offer, with further ideas and inspiration available across the site.

If you're planning to spend more than a day exploring the many things to do in the city, you can also browse our guide to places to stay in Exeter, including hotels, guest houses and city centre accommodation.

Page updated: March 2026

City Essentials

Places to See
What's On
Attractions in Devon

Accommodation

Whatever your budget, whatever the occasion - you'll find most of what Accommodation Exeter has to offer right here from Hotels to Guest Houses....

View details »

Things to Do in Exeter – A Local Guide to Attractions & Events