A 24-hour Escape to Exeter

If you’re craving a short break that helps you slow down, breathe deeply and reset, Exeter is the perfect place for a gentle 24-hour escape.

Compact, walkable and rich in green spaces, riverside views and cosy places to eat, the city invites you to unwind without rushing from place to place.

Morning: Arrive and ease in

Start your escape by arriving early and leaving the car behind. Exeter is easy to explore on foot, which instantly sets the tone for a slower pace. Begin your morning with coffee and breakfast at one of the city’s welcoming cafés. Exeter Phoenix Cafe offers a calm, artsy atmosphere with great coffee, while Eat on the Green is perfect for hearty, locally sourced breakfast and relaxed vibes - with beautiful views across Cathedral Green to the Exeter Cathedral. Sit back, sip slowly, and watch the city wake up.

From here, take a gentle walk through the historic heart of Exeter. The area around Exeter Cathedral is calm and atmospheric, with cobbled streets, green spaces and benches perfect for lingering. Step inside the Cathedral Close or wander nearby Northernhay and Rougemont Gardens, where elevated paths and winter trees create a peaceful pause above the city.

The Insider - Rougemont Gardens are the oldest public open space in England, being originally laid out in 1612 as a pleasure walk for Exeter residents.

Late morning: Riverside calm

Make your way down to Exeter's Historic Quayside, one of the city’s most relaxing areas. The flat riverside paths are ideal for a slow stroll, with water views, historic warehouses and boats gently passing by. This is the perfect place to clear your head, take photos or simply sit and enjoy the stillness.

If you enjoy browsing, pop into the independent shops and galleries dotted along the Quay. There’s no pressure to buy - just the pleasure of discovering something unexpected.

Lunch: Slow food, simple pleasures

Lunch in Exeter is best enjoyed somewhere that encourages you to linger. Choose a relaxed restaurant or pub with river views, or head back towards the city centre for seasonal menus that focus on local produce. Exeter’s food scene is welcoming and unpretentious, making it easy to enjoy a long lunch without feeling rushed. Pair your meal with a glass of something local, or keep it simple with good coffee and dessert - whatever feels most indulgent to you.

For food with a riverside view, both Crave and On the Waterfront offer independent dining experiences that will leave you fully satisfied and tasting the good life. 

Afternoon: Rest and restore

The afternoon is the perfect time to truly unwind. Exeter’s city centre offers several luxurious spa experiences just steps from cafés and shops. The spa at St Sidwell's Point Leisure Centre Centre provides a calm sanctuary with thermal experiences, massages, and quiet relaxation zones. For hotel-based pampering, both Hotel Indigo and Hotel du Vin offer indulgent spa treatments, from soothing massages to invigorating facials, in elegant surroundings. Even a short city-centre spa session can transform your 24-hour break into a restorative escape, letting you recharge without leaving the heart of Exeter.

If spa time isn’t your style, Exeter’s cultural attractions provide a calm alternative. The Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) is free, spacious and ideal for slow wandering. Let curiosity guide you rather than ticking off exhibits - using culture as a way to gently engage the mind without overstimulation. Exeter Cathedral, with its stunning Gothic architecture, peaceful cloisters, and serene green spaces, also offers a calm, reflective space in the city centre.

The Insider - Exeter Cathedral is home to the longest unbroken stretch of Gothic stone vaulting in the world.

Evening: Food, wine, and soft city lights

As evening arrives, Exeter takes on a softer pace. Choose dinner somewhere cosy, whether that’s a neighbourhood bistro, relaxed wine bar or a riverside restaurant. This is the time to savour good food, unhurried service and conversation without distractions.

Gratifying appetites since the early 90s, Harry's pride themselves on bringing farm to fork and the welcoming atmosphere makes for an ideal spot to end your day in style. If you enjoy a spot of people watching with your dinner then the Turk's Head is a beloved pub that serves up hearty meals and even has it's own micro brewery on-site.

After dinner, take a short walk through the city centre or back along the river. Exeter is peaceful in the evening, with warm lights reflecting on the water and quiet streets that encourage you to slow down even further.

For book lovers Exeter Silent Book Club offers a peaceful, social reading experience where you can enjoy your book quietly with fellow readers. Everyone's welcome and it's free to attend. Check their events page for dates each month.

The Insider - Exeter is a UNESCO City of Literature, in recognition of “outstanding contributions to culture and creativity."

Relax, recharge, and discover the calm side of Exeter. Take some time to enjoy our Escape to Exeter guide.