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A mini guide to
Exeter: tips and FAQs
Local know-how and common questions
Local know-how
Tips for visiting
Go underground
The medieval water tunnels can only be seen on a guided tour run by the city council, so book a slot before you go.
Walk the walls
Follow the line of the city walls. Northernhay Gardens, laid out in 1612, include Roman wall and the only visible length of Saxon town wall in England.
Cross by cable ferry
The Butts Ferry is a hand-operated cable ferry over the Exe at the quayside.
Look for Parliament Street
This 14th-century lane off High Street is about 64 cm wide at its narrowest point.
Free guided walks
GWR says Red Coat Guided Tours run free walking tours of the city every day of the year.
Seasonal events
Winter in Torbay
Dates come from the organiser's own page.
Bay of Lights
28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
Illuminated events across Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, centred on a 1.5-mile Illumination Trail along Torquay seafront.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where is Exeter?
Exeter is in Devon, England. Cathedral city on the Exe with Roman walls, medieval passages and a historic quayside. Nearby stops and stations include Exeter St Davids, Exeter Central, Exeter Airport.
How long do I need in Exeter?
1 to 2 days. Allow longer if you plan to eat out or visit several attractions.
What are the highlights?
Highlights include Exeter Cathedral, Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter's Underground Passages. See the Things to do page for more.
How do I get there?
Nearby: Exeter St Davids (GWR, South Western Railway, CrossCountry); Exeter Central (GWR, South Western Railway); Exeter Airport (Stagecoach 4A). The Getting there page links to the official timetables and journey planners.
Where can I eat and drink?
We list 24 places to eat and drink in and around Exeter, with filters to help you choose.
Where should I stay?
We list 8 hotels and other places to stay nearby. Check availability and prices with each property.
Is Exeter accessible?
Accessibility varies by street, building and venue. Check each attraction or operator’s access information before you travel.
While you are here
Things to see in Exeter
A few of the sights in the area. The Things to do page lists them all, with directions and official links.
Exeter Quay
Riverside quarter by the Exe and the Exeter Ship Canal, now used for leisure, with the Butts Ferry across the river.
Royal Albert Memorial Museum
The city's largest museum, founded in 1868, with zoology, archaeology, world cultures and fine art in a Gothic Revival building.
Exeter's Underground Passages
Medieval tunnels that carried the city's water supply, the earliest from the 13th century; seen on guided tours.
Devon
More areas to explore
Plymouth
Waterfront city of the Hoe, the Barbican and the Mayflower Steps
Open the mini guide →
Torquay, Paignton & Brixham
Torbay's three resorts: Torquay's cave and abbey, Paignton's pier and zoo, Brixham's fishing harbour
Open the mini guide →
Dartmouth, Totnes & the Dart
Castles at the river mouth, a naval college and a market town at the head of the Dart estuary
Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Parliament Street: J Morley, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Exeter Quay: Simon Cobb, CC0, source
- Royal Albert Memorial Museum: Pymouss, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Exeter's Underground Passages: Carla Brain, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Plymouth: Herbythyme, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Torquay, Paignton & Brixham: Kolforn, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Dartmouth, Totnes & the Dart: Andrew Abbott, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Dartmoor: Addshore, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Exmoor & Lynmouth: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring Devon