to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
This holiday season Exeter is the place to be with a line-up of unmissable events, outdoor fun and family activities to keep you busy throughout the summer! It's time to have yourselves an unforgettable Exeter summer...
Exeter Quay is the place to be
Get in the swing of things this summer as Jazz on the Quay returns to Exeter's Historic Quayside, with live performances from local jazz bands. Make it a lazy Sunday afternoon down by the river or jump to the beat and show off your dance moves. It's fun and free for all the family.
First Thursdays on Gandy Street
Experience Exeter after hours with First Thursdays. On the first Thursday of every month, enjoy late-night shopping, exclusive offers, live entertainment, delicious food and drink, and a vibrant city-centre atmosphere. It's the perfect opportunity to support independent businesses, discover something new and make an evening of it.
Celebrating a decade of Fore Street Flea
Celebrate 10 years of the Fore Street Flea, Exeter's much-loved independent market. Discover unique handmade goods, vintage treasures, local art, delicious street food and creative businesses as Fore Street comes alive with music, community spirit and one-of-a-kind finds. Join the celebrations and experience one of Exeter's most vibrant shopping events.
.jpg)
Let RAMM inspire you
Discover the Colour exhibition at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM), exploring the science, history and emotion behind colour. From vibrant artworks to fascinating objects, this immersive display reveals how colour shapes our world and experiences. A thought-provoking and visually stunning exhibition for visitors of all ages in the heart of Exeter.
Go for a stroll and stop for a picnic
Even though Exeter is a compact city, we also have many wide open spaces for a peaceful stroll and a delightful picnic. If you’re looking for ways to enjoy the great outdoors in Exeter, look no further as we’ve put together a selection of locations across the city and beyond which boasts fascinating history and spectacular views for the most picture-perfect picnic.
Exeter Green Circle
Explore the Exeter Green Circle, a 12-mile walking route linking the city's parks, riverside paths, woodlands and historic spaces. Perfect for walkers and nature lovers, it offers peaceful green escapes just minutes from the city centre. Discover wildlife, stunning views and hidden gems on this scenic circular route around Exeter.
Escape the heat at Exeter's Underground Passages
Psssst... visiting Exeter's Underground Passages is a great way to escape the heat and is the coolest place to visit! These fascinating passages were built to house the pipes that brought clean drinking water into Medieval Exeter and the temperature is a pleasant 16 degrees celcius. Fun fact... they're also the only passages of their kind open to the public in Britain!
Bird's eye view from Exeter Cathedral
Experience Exeter from a whole different perspective with a roof top tour of Exeter Cathedral. The 150+ steps lead you to the roof, where on a good day you'll be able to take in stunning views of not just Exeter but the countryside beyond and even the sea. This one is definitely a summer 'high'light!
Join a Exeter Red Coat Guided Tour
Exeter's Red Coat Guided Tours are perfect if you want to delve into Exeter's rich, fascinating history and to discover parts of Exeter you may haven't already visited. They take place daily and the guides are a hardy bunch going out in all weathers. Hopefully you'll get to soak up a little summer sunshine on your journey around Exeter.
Take a dip in the pool
Fancy a dip in the pool this summer? Visit St Sidwell's Point! Here you'll find three pools - a 25 metre, 8 lane competition pool, a 20 metre learner pool, all of which has a moveable floor to suit various activities. Exploring Topsham? Jump in Topsham's 25m outdoor pool, heated to at least 28 degrees!
Get on the water
In Exeter, we’re blessed to be surrounded by glorious canals, rivers, estuaries and the World Heritage Jurassic Coast that are perfect for watersports! Your journey opportunities are endless, there are plenty of areas to suit all abilities. Check out our handy guide for where to hire your gear and safety equipment before you begin! Before you set off on your adventure, please make sure you've hired a lifejacket or buoyancy aid.
Hop on a bike and explore the city
If you’re anything like us, you believe that there’s nothing better than hopping on your bike, feeling the wind blowing through your hair and experiencing magnificent views along the way to gorgeous destinations. If you’re staying in Exeter, you’re very lucky as you’ll have endless cycle routes on your doorstep! Here are some of our favourite trails for you to follow on your next visit. Check out our Adventurous Cycles around Exeter blog for inspiration.
Hire a bike and safety equipment from:
- Saddles & Paddles - bicycle and canoe hire from Exeter quayside
- Haldon Forest Park – bikes on site available to rent from Forest Cycle Hire
- Route 2 Bikes, Topsham – Choose your bike for the day and enjoy a refreshment before you head out on your adventure
Family fun at Crealy
Make a splash this summer at Crealy Theme Park & Resort, packed with thrilling rides, family attractions, animal encounters and outdoor adventures. Home to the tallest ride in the South West and lots of water rides, there's plenty of thrills and spills for all ages, as well as Great British summer savings on ticket prices.
Explore Canonteign Falls gorgeous grounds
Take your summer adventures to new heights with a visit to Canonteign Falls, home to the South West's highest waterfall. Take a peaceful walk among the lakes and waterfalls, and for garden lovers the Victorian Fern Garden is an historic snapshot of the 19th Century craze for ferns and fairies.
Haldon Forest Park
Whether it's a gentle summer stroll or an exhilarating mountain biking experience, Haldon Forest Park will connect you with the great outdoors. Offering endless activities and miles of different trails, it's the perfect outdoor summer playground for families, runners, walkers, and cyclists of any age and ability, and of course your four legged friend is always welcome too.
For those with a head for heights then summer adventure awaits at Go Ape! in Haldon Forest Park. Thrill-seekers chasing an adrenalin rush will love the high ropes, ziplines, zipwires, wobbly bridges and Tarzan swings, with different challenges for the whole family to face.
Dine alfresco
Soak up the sunshine with alfresco dining across Exeter this summer. From riverside terraces and leafy courtyards to bustling squares and hidden outdoor gems, the city is made for eating and drinking in the open air. Think long, lazy lunches, evening catch-ups as the sun sets, and plates shared with friends under blue skies. However you choose to dine, Exeter is the perfect place to enjoy great food, fresh air and relaxed summer vibes.
Take a train trip
Sea, moor, city this summer. Stunning coastal scenery, award winning beaches, Dartmoor National Park and miles of beautiful countryside are closer to Exeter than you might think. Hop on a GWR train for a trip to the Great British seaside at Exmouth, Dawlish and Teignmouth or travel to the wild heart of Devon and experience a day out at Okehampton and Dartmoor. With regular services from Exeter, there's lots to explore on our city doorstep.
This holiday season Exeter is the place to be with a line-up of unmissable events, outdoor fun and family activities to keep you busy throughout the summer! It's time to have yourselves an unforgettable Exeter summer...
Related
Jazz on the Quay is back! A fun, FREE afternoon of music starting on Sunday 28th June and then every Sunday during July, until the 30th August (apart from the 26th July).
Gandy Street is the place to be on the First Thursdays of the month this summer. First Thursdays is a new event you won't want to miss. From June to September, Gandy Street will come alive on the first Thursday of each month, with an early evening festival atmosphere.
The Fore Street Flea is a street market that takes place in the West Quarter of the city renowned for its indie businesses. The market takes place 4 times a year in May, July, September, and November.
The Exeter Green Circle is a twelve-mile walk around the city with something for everyone, and a walk which includes some rural stretches.
The Passages were built to house the pipes that brought clean drinking water into medieval Exeter. A guided tour of Exeter's Underground Passages is a memorable event - narrow, dark, interesting and exciting.
Find out more about the city’s turbulent history on a free guided walking tour with the Red Coat Guides, running daily throughout the year.
Medieval cathedral. Fine example of Gothic Decorated style. Longest unbroken stretch of Gothic vaulting in the world. Image screen on West Front, Minstrels' Gallery and tombs. Expert guided tours, trails and activities for the family
Bike and canoe hire from Exeter's historic quayside. Explore the old canal trail. Seven miles of flat, traffic free cycling in beautiful countryside. The canoes are great fun and easy to use for exploring this beautiful waterway.
Discover award-winning family fun at Crealy Theme Park & Resort in Devon, home to over 60 rides and attractions, with spectacular entertainment, live shows, Sooty Land and animals galore.
Canonteign Falls is a stunning visitor attraction in Devon, set within 90 acres of beautiful parkland and ancient woodland on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. Home to the highest waterfall in Dartmoor, it's a perfect destination for days out in Devon, combining spectacular scenery, peaceful walks, and family-friendly activities.
Located in the heart of Haldon Forest, just nine miles from Exeter, Go Ape Haldon is a must-visit destination for anyone searching for things to do near Exeter, outdoor activities, or a memorable family day out. Whether you’re a thrill seeker looking for a unique adventure or planning quality time with friends, family, or colleagues, adventure awaits in the forest.
Whether you want a gentle stroll or an exhilarating mountain biking experience, there’s something for everyone at Haldon Forest Park. Open 364 days of the year, there is something for every interest to connect you with the great outdoors.
Comments
Comments are disabled for this post.
