There are plenty of things to do on Exeter Quayside - hire a bicycle from Saddles & Paddles to explore the flat cycle paths which follow the route of the River Exe and Canal, with several waterside pubs providing refreshment stops along the way. If you want to get out on the water itself, hire a canoe, kayak or paddleboard, with hire options at Saddles & Paddles, AS Watersports and Haven Banks.
Exeter Quayside is home to the south west's largest climbing wall at the Quay Climbing Centre. Housed in the the City’s old electricity building, there are over 200 climbing routes to explore within this huge atrium space, suitable for experienced or novice climbers from age 4+ (younger visitors will love the Clip 'n Climb experience).
Exeter was historically a very wealthy city, largely due to its prominence in the woollen cloth industry. The Quayside played a big part in this, cloth was finished on Exe Island and loaded onto ships for exporting to France, Spain, Holland and Portugal. Many of the architectural features designed for the woollen cloth industry still remain today.
The Custom House, built in 1680, is the oldest custom house in Britain. The Quay House is where the cloth was stored before transit, and the Transit Shed protected the cargo that was offloaded from the ships docked at the Quay. Look out for the iron King's Beam, which was used to weigh goods for assessing duty. Follow the Exeter Woollen Trail self-guided walk to discover more about this fascinating slice of Exeter's history.
Today, the Quayside is a hive of activity, and during the summer months there are outdoor events every weekend, from live music in the Transit Shed to outdoor street food markets. Find out what's on on Exeter Quayside here.
The Quayside is also a great place for independent shopping. Warehouses and cellars from the height of the industrial age now house workshops where you can see craftsmanship of the very highest quality, with local craftspeople working in wood, stone, glass and metal.
Being so close to the water, it’s no surprise that there are fantastic water sports shops that stock not only all the gear that you need to stay warm and safe on the water, but also the boats and boards themselves.
For those who want to take in Exeter and the Exe Estuary on two wheels but don’t have the bike to do it, Exeter Quayside also has fantastic new and second-hand bicycle shops whose friendly and extremely-knowledgeable staff are always happy to help.
.png)
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
