Things to Do in Exeter Part 3

Lifes2Short
Lifes2Short
Things to Do in Exeter Part 3

Things to Do in Exeter Part 3

Either you are new to Exeter or just having a quick getaway, this Things to Do in Exeter list is your ultimate guide to discover the city's various charming places.
"For a quick diversion, Parliament Street, branching off the High Street and a short walk from the Cathedral Yard, is one of the narrowest streets in the world. Measuring 63.5 centimetres across at its narrowest point this street was first set out in the 1300s. Its former name was Small Lane, and in the 19th century it was given its much grander title in irony as a protest against the Reform Act of 1832, which transformed the UK’s electoral system."
Parliament Street
Parliament Street
"For a quick diversion, Parliament Street, branching off the High Street and a short walk from the Cathedral Yard, is one of the narrowest streets in the world. Measuring 63.5 centimetres across at its narrowest point this street was first set out in the 1300s. Its former name was Small Lane, and in the 19th century it was given its much grander title in irony as a protest against the Reform Act of 1832, which transformed the UK’s electoral system."
"Head south from Exeter and you’ll soon be in a mosaic of woodland known as the Haldon Forest. There are over 3,500 hectares of pine and hardwood forest, all on elevated ground along a ridge between the River Teign and the Exe estuary. The Forestry Commission maintains a web of walking paths and bike trails, and you can hire a pair of wheels at the “Hub” near the ranger’s office. There’s also a cafe, a high ropes course, an activity trail for kids, while children can also download the “Snarkhunter” for all kinds of interactive outdoor games inspired by the Lewis Carroll character The Snark."
88 locals recommend
Haldon Forest Park (Forestry England)
Bullers Hill
88 locals recommend
"Head south from Exeter and you’ll soon be in a mosaic of woodland known as the Haldon Forest. There are over 3,500 hectares of pine and hardwood forest, all on elevated ground along a ridge between the River Teign and the Exe estuary. The Forestry Commission maintains a web of walking paths and bike trails, and you can hire a pair of wheels at the “Hub” near the ranger’s office. There’s also a cafe, a high ropes course, an activity trail for kids, while children can also download the “Snarkhunter” for all kinds of interactive outdoor games inspired by the Lewis Carroll character The Snark."
"Just the place for excursions if you have children under ten, Crealy Adventure Park is a themed attraction that opened in 1989 and continues to grow. There are now more than 60 rides, shows and amusements, including splash rides, small roller coasters, fairground rides, adventure playgrounds and the Animal Barn contain farm and zoo animals. The park is in 100 acres of green Devon countryside, and some of its newer rides are Dino Jeeps where you ride past animatronic dinosaurs, Supersubs for a deep sea voyage in search of Atlantis and the Junior Driving School where kids can take the wheel on a challenging course. Also new is Bugz Unlimited, where you can get within inches of bizarre insects like Madagascar hissing cockroaches and leafcutter ants."
175 locals recommend
Crealy Theme Park & Resort
Sidmouth Road
175 locals recommend
"Just the place for excursions if you have children under ten, Crealy Adventure Park is a themed attraction that opened in 1989 and continues to grow. There are now more than 60 rides, shows and amusements, including splash rides, small roller coasters, fairground rides, adventure playgrounds and the Animal Barn contain farm and zoo animals. The park is in 100 acres of green Devon countryside, and some of its newer rides are Dino Jeeps where you ride past animatronic dinosaurs, Supersubs for a deep sea voyage in search of Atlantis and the Junior Driving School where kids can take the wheel on a challenging course. Also new is Bugz Unlimited, where you can get within inches of bizarre insects like Madagascar hissing cockroaches and leafcutter ants."
"Six miles south of Exeter, Grade I listed Powderham Castle stands on the west bank of the Exe estuary. The property has 14th and 15th-century origins and was given extensive Gothic Revival additions in the middle of the 19th century. Remarkably, Powderham Castle has been in the same family, the Courtenays (Earls of Devon), since it was founded around 1390. Some of the best bits inside are the 18th-century Marble Hall, the mahogany staircase and the Neoclassical Music Room designed by celebrated Georgian James Wyatt. These are enhanced with priceless items like a 17th-century Brussels tapestry, a 15th-century carved over-door and an Axminster carpet from 1798. Outside, kids can join in on a treasure trail, busy themselves with arts and crafts at the Nature Nook and try planting seeds at the castle’s Potting Shed."
92 locals recommend
Powderham Castle
92 locals recommend
"Six miles south of Exeter, Grade I listed Powderham Castle stands on the west bank of the Exe estuary. The property has 14th and 15th-century origins and was given extensive Gothic Revival additions in the middle of the 19th century. Remarkably, Powderham Castle has been in the same family, the Courtenays (Earls of Devon), since it was founded around 1390. Some of the best bits inside are the 18th-century Marble Hall, the mahogany staircase and the Neoclassical Music Room designed by celebrated Georgian James Wyatt. These are enhanced with priceless items like a 17th-century Brussels tapestry, a 15th-century carved over-door and an Axminster carpet from 1798. Outside, kids can join in on a treasure trail, busy themselves with arts and crafts at the Nature Nook and try planting seeds at the castle’s Potting Shed."

Things to Do in Exeter Part 4

Either you are new to Exeter or just having a quick getaway, this Things to Do in Exeter list is your ultimate guide to discover the city's various charming places.
"A breeze through the bucolic East Devon countryside, the Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth rests in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Here, free of charge, you can meet some of the hundreds of donkeys that this charity rescues every year. There are also indoor attractions to visit, like the Visitor Centre, and Understanding Donkeys Zone, which detail the international work done by the sanctuary and tells you everything you need to know about these equines. At Dr Svendsen’s Hut you can hear about Dr Elisabeth Svendsen, who founded the Donkey Sanctuary in the 1970s. There’s also a maze, grooming sessions, walking trails and a restaurant with views over the paddocks and out to sea."
13 locals recommend
Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary station
13 locals recommend
"A breeze through the bucolic East Devon countryside, the Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth rests in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Here, free of charge, you can meet some of the hundreds of donkeys that this charity rescues every year. There are also indoor attractions to visit, like the Visitor Centre, and Understanding Donkeys Zone, which detail the international work done by the sanctuary and tells you everything you need to know about these equines. At Dr Svendsen’s Hut you can hear about Dr Elisabeth Svendsen, who founded the Donkey Sanctuary in the 1970s. There’s also a maze, grooming sessions, walking trails and a restaurant with views over the paddocks and out to sea."
"A quick drive or 15-minute train ride from Exeter Central station, the Topsham Museum is one of a row of 17th-century merchants’ houses by the Exe. Thanks to its location at a sheltered spot at the head of the estuary, Topsham once had shipbuilding docks that assembled early-19th-century warships like HMS Terror and HMS Cyan, and there are exhibitions about this heritage. The museum has a collection of much smaller vessels that used to travel on the Exe, while a number of rooms have been furnished in a period style. An unexpected treat is the set of memorabilia for the film star Vivien Leigh, including a dress she wore as Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind."
17 locals recommend
Topsham Museum
25 Strand
17 locals recommend
"A quick drive or 15-minute train ride from Exeter Central station, the Topsham Museum is one of a row of 17th-century merchants’ houses by the Exe. Thanks to its location at a sheltered spot at the head of the estuary, Topsham once had shipbuilding docks that assembled early-19th-century warships like HMS Terror and HMS Cyan, and there are exhibitions about this heritage. The museum has a collection of much smaller vessels that used to travel on the Exe, while a number of rooms have been furnished in a period style. An unexpected treat is the set of memorabilia for the film star Vivien Leigh, including a dress she wore as Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind."
"Both the mild climate and sandstone soils around Exeter are suited to winemaking, and at Pebblebed you can visit the winery and have a chat with the vintner. Pebblebed grows Merlot, Rodo, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Seyval Blanc and Madeleine Angervine, and welcomes visitors to its vineyard just outside Topsham from May to September. The label also runs a cellar in the village, just upstream from the quay, where you can sample wines from its range along with tapas made from local ingredients."
16 locals recommend
Pebblebed Vineyard
16 locals recommend
"Both the mild climate and sandstone soils around Exeter are suited to winemaking, and at Pebblebed you can visit the winery and have a chat with the vintner. Pebblebed grows Merlot, Rodo, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Seyval Blanc and Madeleine Angervine, and welcomes visitors to its vineyard just outside Topsham from May to September. The label also runs a cellar in the village, just upstream from the quay, where you can sample wines from its range along with tapas made from local ingredients."
"Exmouth Beach is well celebrated for its two miles of golden sand, rare on this coast and fascinating rock pools it's a paradise for children and adults alike. Exmouth Beach is the ideal place to try your hand at watersports - be it Kite Surfing, Kayaking, standup paddleboarding or windsurfing. The gateway to the UNESCO Jurrasic Coast World Heritage site, Exmouth and its cliffs are teaming with geological finds. The coastline is also part of the South West Coast Path, and the beach and surrounding cliffs provide excellent short and long walks in the surrounding countryside."
91 locals recommend
Exmouth Beach
3 Queen's Dr
91 locals recommend
"Exmouth Beach is well celebrated for its two miles of golden sand, rare on this coast and fascinating rock pools it's a paradise for children and adults alike. Exmouth Beach is the ideal place to try your hand at watersports - be it Kite Surfing, Kayaking, standup paddleboarding or windsurfing. The gateway to the UNESCO Jurrasic Coast World Heritage site, Exmouth and its cliffs are teaming with geological finds. The coastline is also part of the South West Coast Path, and the beach and surrounding cliffs provide excellent short and long walks in the surrounding countryside."