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We know the school holidays can be an expensive time, so we have put together our top 15 ideas for things to do in Exeter this summer, completely free! Whatever the weather (although we're hoping this wonderful Devon sunshine lasts the whole summer!), there is plenty going on to keep everyone entertained. Plus there are some great free family events in Exeter over the summer holidays.
1. Visit Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum and go on a voyage of discovery from pre-history to the present day through 16 galleries of displays. With free entry & summer holiday activities, workshops and drop-in sessions, there is something for all ages.
2. Visit the library... Exeter Central Library runs regular family activities for all ages and is easily accessible from the city centre.
3. Join the famous Red Coat Guides on a walking tour of Exeter, to discover more about the fascinating and turbulent history of the city. Tours run daily throughout the year, with a wide range to choose from. There is no need to book – just turn up, tours last approx. 90 minutes.
4. ...Or if you prefer to do things at your own pace, follow one of Exeter’s self-guided heritage trails – kids can solve puzzles and quizzes along the way.
5. On warm days, pack your swimming stuff and head to Heavitree Park, which has paddling pools in which to play and cool down, or St Thomas Splash Pad, with water fountains, tipping buckets and cannons for plenty of water fun!
6. Visit the Custom House Visitor Centre on Exeter’s Quayside to learn more about the history of the Quayside through fascinating displays, exhibits and a short film - ‘Exeter, 2,000 years of history’.
7. Visit the bird hides at Bowling Green Marsh along the Exe Estuary Trail between Topsham and Darts Farm - perfect for a short, fairly flat scoot or cycle. Make your way to Darts Farm to pick up picnic bits and enjoy a play in their outdoor play area.
8. Film fans, head to the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum for interactive exhibits for children, or see a favourite film as part of the Odeon or Vue Kid’s Club – whilst not strictly free, tickets are still relatively cheap per person. There are kids screenings every Saturday and Sunday morning, plus every day during the school holidays.
9. Find space to run free! Head out of the city to Haldon Forest Park, where themed walking and cycling routes are well-signposted, or follow special trails aimed at families with small children. You will also find family-friendly marked trails at Stoke Woods, an old forest dating back to the Roman times on the edge of Exeter, or visit one of five Valley Parks in the city, all great for walking, kicking a football around or enjoying a family picnic.
10. Take a family bike ride following the route of the Exeter Canal... this flat, traffic-free route is great for families, plus you can stop off at the Double Locks pub for refreshments in the large, waterside beer garden with an outdoor play area!
11. Visit the Donkey Sanctuary near Sidmouth, to meet over 500 donkeys and enjoy interactive activities in the fantastic indoor visitor centre.
12. Visit St Nicholas Priory on a Sunday, 12 - 4pm to discover more about the Tudors, with regular free events which ring this historic building to life.
13. Head to the beach! Exeter is just a 20 minute journey by car, or a very scenic rail journey to the coastal resorts of Exmouth and Dawlish.
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14. Visit Princesshay to take part in the Summer's Here activities, as Princesshay Square is transformed into Princesshay Green, hosting a number of events - from marvellous mini golf to climbing walls, amazing circus skills to pirates, there will be something everyone will enjoy.
15. Visit Exeter on Saturday 24 August for the Exeter Street Arts Festival, when the city's streets will be brought to life with colour, music and dancing. See the full list of free events in Exeter this summer here.
Scroll down for more free attractions in Exeter.
Number of results: 74
, currently showing 1 to 21.
Exeter
The Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) is one of Exeter City Council’s flagship services. RAMM is also supported using public funding by Arts Council England. Stunning displays reveal Devon and Exeter’s rich history and global…
Sidmouth
With adventures for all the family, make memories that last a lifetime at The Donkey Sanctuary. Meet hundreds of friendly rescue donkeys for FREE and discover so much more besides.
Exeter
The City's award winning Red Coat Guided Tours are provided by Exeter City Council and are the perfect way to explore Exeter, one of the oldest cities of England. Run by experienced qualified volunteer guides a variety of tours are available, each…
Prince of Wales Road, Exeter
A museum dedicated to the audience's experience of the moving image. Explore the visual culture from magic lanterns to Marilyn Monroe.
The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum is an ACE Accredited public museum dedicated to our experience of the moving image…
Exeter
This reserve, part of the Exe Estuary SSSI, is sandwiched between the river Exe and the Exeter ship canal.
Holcombe, Teignmouth
A small cove situated at the base of the cliffs between Teignmouth and Dawlish. A small isolated beach used primarily by local residents.
Exmouth Road, Aylesbeare
Aylesbeare is also important for its dragonflies, including the rare southern damselfly, and butterflies. It has the largest butterfly list of any RSPB reserve, with over 30 different species being regularly recorded. This area is also of considerabl
Seaton
Overlooking Lyme Bay and surrounded by beautiful countryside, Seaton Beach is a large pebble beach stetchching over a mile long. Gently sloping, the beach is an ideal spot for swimming or water sports - and there kayaks or Stand up Paddleboards can…
East Devon
The East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty landscape is characterised by intimate wooded combes, vast areas of heathland, fertile river valleys and breathtaking cliffs or hilltops.
Shaldon
A mix of shingle and sand, the beach gently shelves towards the estuary mouth with views over Teignmouth and towards Dartmoor. Very popular with local families.
Shaldon
Ness Cove at Shaldon nestles in between magnificent red cliffs and is accessed via an original smuggler's tunnel. At the tunnel's end, you'll discover the perfect get away - life is truly a beach!
Newton Abbot
This 4 hectare lake supports a wealth of water birds and an excellent assemblage of dragonflies and damselflies; 19 species have been recorded here including rarities.
SEATON
Running 155km from Exmouth in Devon to Studland in Dorset is the Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site, selected by UNESCO because of its outstanding earth science interest.
Exeter
The Exe Estuary is particularly important for birds in winter, when the mild climate and suitable feeding areas attract tens of thousands of wetland birds - some of them from the UK but many travelling from Northern and Eastern Europe.
Exeter
This attractive 'island' of farmland within the City is located between Wonford and Rydon Lane and has marvellous views of the City and Estuary.
The park is a working farm on the edge of the busy city of Exeter. Many of the fields provide free…
Bovey Tracey
Riverside Mill plays host to one of the South West’s biggest crafts venue with galleries, craft shop & café with a great landscape view.
Branscombe
The beach at Branscombe is the ideal place to relax and enjoy the coastal scenery.
Exeter
Matford Marshes is a small, relatively new site halfway between Exeter and Exminster - just 3 miles (6 km) from the city centre. It's one of our Exe Estuary reserves.
Exeter
Open May - September, the St Thomas Splash Pad has water fountains, tipping buckets and cannons on a brightly coloured surface. There is also a large children's playground, public toilets and parkland nearby.
The playground is suitable for…
Sidmouth
Fire Beacon Hill is an area of lowland heath, which offers you a birds eye view of the surrounding countryside.
Exeter
Popular family park with a wide range of recreational facilities including paddling pools, six tennis courts, basketball court, skate park, bmx track, bowling green and kick about area.
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