Shopping

As part of Step 2 of the Government's roadmap out of lockdown, non-essential retail can reopen from 12th April 2021. Some shops may be operating different opening hours, so please check before you visit if you are planning on visiting a particular shop.

Special measures have been put in place to ensure Exeter city centre is a safe and welcoming environment for visitors. Shops have been required to carry out a risk assessment before opening, and measures to help with social distancing include stencils marked outside shops and throughout the city centre, and shops limiting the number of customers allowed to enter at any one time.

Signs have also been put up to help people keep two metres apart, and some narrow streets are operating a one way system.

For information on shops that are open in Princesshay, visit their website here. The majority of Princesshay's shops are open, and the cafes and restaurants are offering takeaway services and outdoor seating for al fresco dining. The InExeter website also has a handy guide to shopping in Exeter city centre.

Topsham has many independent retailers and most of these have now reopened. This small maritime town within easy reach of Exeter is the perfect place to browse for unique items in scenic surroundings! Visit the Love Topsham website for a list of shops.

Shopping in Exeter

Exeter is the region's favourite place for shopping, culture and leisure. It offers a memorable shopping experience in a setting of architectural splendour. The city is a shopaholic's must-do destination with chic boutiques and stylish independents alongside the familiar big name stores.

At the heart of the city is the award-winning Princesshay with a great choice of shops, cafes and restaurants.

Exeter's all easily walkable through great public spaces and traffic-free shopping areas. At the heart of the city is the Cathedral Quarter with the beautiful 800 year old Cathedral and with classic independent shops set around the spacious Green.

High Street runs parallel to Princesshay and the Cathedral area, and features all the popular store names. The Guildhall and Harlequins undercover shopping centres are home to more familiar stores and small individual businesses.

Don't miss out on Gandy Street with its trendy clothes and gift shops. It's just off High Street in the Castle Quarter which is also home to the famous Cavern Club and Exeter Phoenix.

Fore Street is at the centre of the West Quarter, full of quirky unusual shops situated in attractive older buildings and interesting arcades, leading downhill towards the River Exe. Here you'll find antiques, arts and crafts, water activities and other attractions in the historic Quayside area alongside shops and cafes.

On the edge of Exeter's city centre lies Magdalen Road, great for local food and drink, and just 4 miles from Exeter, the estuary town of Topsham offers an eclectic cluster of specialist shops and fine restaurants.

Getting to Exeter is easy by bike, bus or train with a fast and frequent park and ride and ample city centre parking spaces.