Exeter Food Safari by Train

In Devon, we love good quality, locally produced food and drink, and here in Exeter there is no shortage of it! Check out the Exeter Food & Drink Trail, which celebrates some of the fantastic food and drink producers in the region. The following itinerary combines some of the finest foodie experiences with a scenic rail journey, for a food safari from Exeter - we hope you’ve come with an appetite!

Day 1 

Start your day in the heart of the city, with breakfast at Eat on the Green, a friendly restaurant that serves hearty English classics with stunning views of Exeter Cathedral. 

Head to Exeter Central station, approximately a 6 minute walk, and hop on a train to Topsham, the quaint historic port town full of foodie delights.

From the station, build up your appetite with a stroll to Darts Farm Shopping Village, where you’ll find the freshest, local produce from our corner of the country. Browse the colourful farm shop and stop for a coffee in the Cow & Cacao Cafe, where you can try delicious homemade treats. 

Head back to Topsham train station and continue the rail journey to Exmouth along the Avocet Line, a scenic route which runs alongside the River Exe Estuary. 

Arrive at Exmouth Marina and catch a water taxi to the River Exe Café. This unique restaurant is located on a floating barge in the middle of the River Exe! Here you’ll enjoy freshly caught fish and the finest food and drink from local producers. Make sure your camera or phone is charged, this is a very Instagram-worthy spot!

When you return back to dry land, take some time to explore Exmouth seafront - perhaps with a seaside ice-cream for dessert! 

On the rail journey back to Exeter, you'll pass the wonderfully lavish Lympstone Manor, where its Michelin starred restaurant serves the eclectic cuisine of Michael Caines’, one of Britain's most celebrated and influential chefs. The award winning food is well matched by a world class wine cellar of over 600 bins.

Back to Exeter and it’s time for dinner at the family run Harry’s Restaurant, which has been feeding appetites since 1993. The team work with nearby farms, producers and suppliers to bring locally reared meats, and seasonal fruits and vegetables to the table. Give their ‘Harry’s Heart Attack’ dessert a try!

After dinner, explore the nightlife that Exeter has to offer, with a great choice of pubs and bars. Enjoy a drink with views of Exeter Cathedral, from Becketts Champagne & Cocktail Rooftop Bar at Hotel Indigo, or visit The Turk’s Head, one of the region’s oldest pubs, for a selection of beers and ales produced in their on-site micobrewery!

Day 2

Start your day off the right way. Dig into a modern, British classics at The Ivy Exeter, a restaurant offering sophisticated yet friendly dining all day, every day.

Walk to Exeter Central Station, approximately an 8-minute walk away for the train to Teignmouth, along one of England's most scenic rail journeys following the coastline of south Devon, where in places it seems like you're floating on top of the water! The next few hours are all about getting in the (gin) spirit...

Choose from a tour and tasting experience at the Exeter Gin School, or learn how to make your very own 35cl gin with help from the experts. During your visit, you’ll also enjoy 10% off purchases at the bar or in the shop, so don't miss the opportunity to take Exeter Gin home with you!

Catch the train back to Exeter and alight at Exeter St David’s, for a tour of the nearby Exeter Brewery. Meet in the Tap Room for drinks followed by a tour of the Brewery itself, lasting approximately 40 minutes, where you’ll discover the process of making the award winning ales. 

From Exeter Brewery, walk along the river to Exeter Quayside, to enjoy a sunset drink beside the river. When it's time for dinner, head to On the Waterfront, to indulge in their famous dust-bin lid pizzas, tapas and a great selection of locally-sourced beers, wines and spirits.