England: Devon : Exeter

Town, Postcode, Attraction

Exeter High StreetExeter is a city in, and the county town of, the county of Devon in the South West of England. Devon is one of Britain's most popular vacation destinations and taking a vacation or short city break in Exeter is a fantastic way in which to see some of the attractions of this most beautiful region of the United Kingdom.

Evidence shows that there has been a settlement, on the site of the city, since at least 250 BC but due to the excellence of the situation it is assumed that it was probably inhabited even earlier than this. The Romans valued the city greatly (calling it "Isca Dumnoniorum") it was a trading centre of considerable importance at the start of the Roman occupation (but evidence appears to point to Exeter falling into sharp decline prior to their exit). Today the city still has parts of the original Roman wall (it was the most south westerly fortified settlement) and excavations have provided a wealth of evidence including Roman Baths (covered over again in the 1970s) and a large number of early Roman coins.

Exeter features in the history of the Saxons, medieval times, through the Tudor period, throughout the Stuart dynasty and into the Georgian and Victorian era up until the present day. With such a long history the city featured a great many important historic buildings (second only to Bath in order of architectural merit) but sadly vast areas of the city centre were destroyed during the Second World War and the subsequent rebuilding of the city during the 1950s. Sadly few important buildings remain, such as the Anglican Exeter Cathedral (founded 1050, but sufficient historical sites and buildings remain to keep you interested for a couple of days.

Page Contents Rougemont, Castle, Devon
Places To Visit In Exeter
Exeter Churches & Religious Buildings
Exeter Hotels & Accommodation


Exeter CathedralOne of the best reasons for staying in Exeter is to act as a base for enjoying the wider area surrounding the city, Devon. Transport links are excellent with the M5 motorway linking to Bristol where you can join the M4 to reach further afield such as London (by bus car or whatever). Rail links are also superb with direct routes to London and many other UK destinations. Exeter International Airport, situated to the east, enables easy access from further afield with many internal flights and regular flights from as far away as Canada.

One of the most prominent features, in Exeter, is St Peter's Cathedral (shown to the right) which was founded in 1050 and is well worth a visit. Exeter's historic Guildhall is the oldest civic building in England and is still very much in use today and it worth visiting as it is open to the public. One of the more unusual visitor attractions in the city ar the medieval Underground Passages which are to be found in the heart of Exeter but they are incredibly popular so make sure you get there early (admissions charge)!

Exeter also offers superb Red Coat Guided Tours around the most interesting parts of the city and some of the more unusual. Tours take about an hour and a half and cover such diverse topics such as "Exeter Old & New" and "Murder & Mayhem", so whatever floats your boat there will be something to keep you entertained.

Always keep in mind that if Exeter does not entice you alone you can easily incorporate it into a twin destination vacation with the nearby city of Plymouth.

University of ExeterVisitor Attractions In Alphabetical Order

Bill Douglas Centre for the History of Cinema and Popular Culture

Castle Drogo

Crealy Great Adventure Park

Fursdon House

Haldon Belvedere (Lawrence Castle)

Killerton House and Garden

Powderham Castle

Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery

Spacex Gallery

Top Ten Pin

Topsham MuseumPowderham Castle

Tuckers Hall

Underground Passages

Churches & Religious Buildings To Visit
The Cathedral Church of St Peter in Exeter is the most important place to see but there are many other churches and religious places which are Grade I listed including; Cathedral Close, Bishop's Palace, George's Chapel and St Nicholas' Priory.

Other Places To Visit In Exeter
Rougemont Castle, Mol's Coffee House, The Law Library, The Guildhall, St Mary Convent School, Custom House, Wharfinger's House & warehouse, Quay House and Bowhill House.

Things To See & Do In Exeter and Devon
Take a ride on the 3 miles Seaton Tramway. Visit the inland port and village of Morwellham Quay. Visit the Babbacombe Model Village.

 

 

(Closest to city centre first)

Hotel Photo Name Miles Location Guest Rating Star Book Online / Read More
St Olaves Hotel

St Olaves Hotel
Mary Arches Street , Exeter, EX4 3AZ

Rooms from: £105.00*

 

0.1 Exeter 3* Click here to book online
Abode Exeter

Abode Exeter
Cathedral Yard , Exeter, EX1 1HD

Rooms from: £89.00*

0.1 Exeter 4* Click here to book online
White Hart Hotel

White Hart Hotel
66 South Street , Exeter, EX1 1EE

Rooms from: £49.95*

0.2 Exeter 3* Click here to book online
The Rougemont Hotel

The Rougemont Hotel by Thistle Formerly Thistle Exeter
Queen Street , Exeter, EX4 3SP

Rooms from: £75.00

0.3 Exeter 4* Click here to book online
Mercure Southgate Hotel

Mercure Southgate Hotel
Southernhay East, Exeter, EX1 1QF

Rooms from: £95.00*

0.4 Exeter 4* Click here to book online
Number Twelve

Number Twelve
12 QUEENS TERRACE , EXETER, EX4 4HR

Rooms from: £45.00*

0.4 Exeter 3* Click here to book online
Queens Court Hotel

Queens Court Hotel
6-8 Bystock Terrace, Exeter, EX4 4HY

Rooms from: £59.00*

0.4 Exeter 3* Click here to book online
Braeside Guesthouse

Braeside Guesthouse
21 NEW NORTH ROAD , EXETER, EX44HF

Rooms from: £40.00*

0.4 Exeter 4* Click here to book online
Cedar Lodge Hotel

Cedar Lodge Hotel
26 NEW NORTH ROAD , EXETER, EX4 4HF

Rooms from: £55.00*

0.4 Exeter 3* Click here to book online
The Bendene

The Bendene
15 16, Richmond Road , Exeter, EX4 4JA

Rooms from: £55.00*

0.4 Exeter N/A 4* Click here to book online
Silversprings

Silversprings
12 RICHMOND ROAD , EXETER, EX4 4JA

Rooms from: £60.00*

0.4 Exeter 4* Click here to book online
Oke Lodge Hotel

Oke Lodge Hotel
43 Okehampton Road , Exeter, EX4 1EH

Rooms from: £45.00*

0.5 Exeter 3* Click here to book online
Town House

Town House
54, St Davids Hill , Exeter, EX4 4DT

Rooms from: £35.00*

0.5 Exeter N/A 3* Click here to book online
Telstar Guest House

Telstar Guest House
75-77 St Davids Hill , Exeter, EX4 4DW

Rooms from: £45.00*

0.5 Exeter 4* Click here to book online
Oakcliffe Hotel

Oakcliffe Hotel
73 St Davids Hill , Exeter, EX4 4DW

Rooms from: £35.00*

0.5 Exeter 3* Click here to book online
Jurys Inn Exeter

Jurys Inn Exeter
Western Way , Exeter, EX1 2DB

Rooms from: £59.00*

0.6 Exeter 3* Click here to book online
St Andrews Hotel

St Andrews Hotel
28 Alphington Road, Exeter, EX2 8HN

Rooms from: £48.00*

0.6 Exeter 4* Click here to book online
Great Western Hotel

Great Western Hotel
ST. DAVIDS , EXETER, EX4 4NU

Rooms from: £42.00*

0.7 Exeter 2* Click here to book online

 

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