The 13 best things to do in Exeter

What is it? It might be tiny, but Exeter’s first roastery Exe is a must-visit if you know your Aeropress from your Chemex. Hit the ground (sorry) running with a perfect flat white in the upstairs café, made with beans roasted right there in the basement.

Why go? Owner Steve Pearson has been a fixture on the city’s coffee scene for years, and there’s a lifetime of expertise in his seasonal espresso blend and selection of single-origin coffees. If you book ahead you can bag a spot on one of his budding barista workshops.  

What is it? Once thought to be the street that Diagon Alley was based on, Gandy Street is a winding labyrinth of independent shops and quirky bars. That specific myth may have been debunked but we still think there’s something magical about this little, cobbled street. Complete with bunting and plenty of hanging baskets, Gandy Street has to be the most instagrammable street in Exeter.

Why go? Gandy street is the Jekyll and Hyde of Exeter’s shopping streets. By day you can peruse its vintage shops, silversmiths and kooky gift shops. Come back later and the street is transformed into the perfect spot for a cocktail crawl or a craft beer. Highlights include The Mermaid, Maker Mart and Exeter Phoenix, a cracking gig venue and art centre. 

What is it? We’re calling it – this place is home to the south west’s best burgers. Hubbox’s patties, served in brioche buns out of a bricks-and-neon space on Sidwell Street, have won loads of awards, but it isn’t a just a meat-fest – vegans are really well looked-after too.

Why go? Everything is sourced locally, from the 21-day dry-aged Cornish rare breed beef in the burgers to the oak-smoked pork in the hot dogs. Get the Classic Cheese with West Country cheddar.

What is it? Oh, we do like to be beside the quay-side. The warehouses which once stored the wool that made Exeter rich are now home to antique boutiques, live-music venues and watering holes – plus the newly opened Exeter Cookery School

Why go? As well as being a lovely spot for a drink in the sunshine, the Quay is a great jumping-off point (not literally; no swimming allowed!) for boat trips. Go wildlife-watching on a sailing to Exmouth, or take the flat-bottomed Butts Ferry across the Exe – it’s hand-pulled on a cable over the water.

What is it? A brewery, distillery and smokehouse with a steampunk vibe, this old Victorian pub is an Exeter legend. The on-site works produce gin, rum and vodka, plus bottles of their own-recipe moonshine (don't ask) and a cracking selection of craft ales.  

Why go? Whether you’re in the market for brunch, a Sunday roast or just a quiet pint, the Fat Pig will do you proud. Sister bars Tabac and The Sample Room, meanwhile, are the places for classic cocktails and boutique gins respectively.

What is it? The spiritual heart of the city since the twelfth century, Exeter’s magnificent cathedral is full of treasures, from the Gothic vaulting to the gilded ceilings. There’s even a Second Folio edition of Shakespeare’s plays in the library.

Why go? Whether you’re an architecture buff or just enjoy a good mooch, this is a special place to visit – and you definitely don’t need to be religious to enjoy it. Check out the 300,000-brick scale Lego model being built before you go – donate £1 and you can get involved in its construction. 

What is it? It’s the bakes that have made this massively popular café’s name, from sour cherry and pistachio slices to the gooiest brownies. But that’s not all: also handmade right there in the kitchen are sourdough cheese toasties with sauerkraut, filled croissants and sausage rolls. We’ll have one of everything, ta.

Why go? Great food, a rotating selection of small-batch coffees and the perfect playlist – what’s not to love? Exploding Bakeryis the kind of place that makes you seriously consider moving to the other end of the country just so you can become a regular.

What is it? Exeter is conveniently located on Devon’s beautiful South coast, an area renowned for its fantastic beaches. Whether you prefer pebbles, sand or dramatic cliff faces, there’s a whole clutch of coastal towns reachable by bus, train or even bike from Exeter city centre. 

Why go? Fancy a picturesque journey? Exmouth and Dawlish Warren are just a half hour train ride from Exeter Central station on a scenic route that runs parallel to the coast. Slightly further afield you have Sidmouth, Budleigh Salterton and Teignmouth with its iconic victorian pier.

What is it? You can’t go to Devon with getting some cider inside you. The south west’s bevvy of choice is made here at Sandford, just outside Exeter, in small batches, right next to the orchard. Book a 90-minute tour and tasting for the inside story, or just browse in the tap room.

Why go? From ice-fermented cider (made like a dessert wine for a rich, sweet finish) to the spiced Pomona’s Cask, Sandford’s wares are special. Go on a Friday night and there'll be sourdough pizza to soak up all the booze, too.

What is it? Magdalen Road, about a 10 minute walk from the city centre, is a quaint row of shops and pubs located in the affluent area of St Leonards. It feels like walking down a village highstreet, if your village was about as bougie as they come. This place is old school, harking back to a time where you bought your bread in a bakery and your fish in a fishmonger. 

Why go? Despite its tiny size, Magdalen Road packs a punch. Fancy a casual bite? Head to Portal Pizza for their handmade wood-fired pizzas. For fancier fare, stop in at Calvo Loco Tapas Bar, easily the best of Exeter’s Spanish restaurants. Once you’ve lined your stomachs, nip to the top of the road for a pint at neighbourhood favourite, the Mount Radford. 

What is it? Built 600 years ago, this turreted stately home has had an unlikely second life as a live music venue in recent years (it hosted Radio 1’s Big Weekend in 2016). But at heart it’s still a genteel English manor house, complete with landscaped grounds and loads of living history.

Why go? An afternoon here is a soothing way to escape not just city life, but the twenty-first century: go for a stroll in the Deer Park, promenade through the Rose Garden and watch a blacksmith at work in the fully functioning Forge. Trump who?

What is it? Next to Liverpool’s, this is (probably) the most famous Cavern club in the UK. Opened in 1991, Exeter’s longest-running live music venue is studenty without being naff, and the drinks are implausibly cheap – perfect for winding the clock back.

Why go? The place has history: over the years it’s played host to everyone from Biffy Clyro to The Cranberries, Mr Scruff and Napalm Death. There’s something on every night of the week, and whenever you go you’re pretty well guaranteed a good time.

What is it? Not to be confused with London’s Albert Memorial, Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum is home to more than a million extraordinary objects. Imagine the British Museum, the Horniman and the V&A all rolled into one.

Why go? From taxidermy to a replica Ancient Egyptian tomb and works by Gainsborough, Reynolds and Barbara Hepworth, the Gothic Revival building is a real Tardis. But although this place was largely built by Victorian explorers, it isn’t an uncritical tribute to them, and gives space to the problematic issues around archaeology and collecting.