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City guide

Exeter, United Kingdom

Exeter is a cathedral city and the county town of Devon in South West England. It is situated on the River Exe, approximately 36 mi (58 km) northeast of Plymouth and 65 mi (105 km) southwest of Bristol.

Type CityPopulation 138,399

Why go

  • City in Devon, England.
  • Served by Exeter Airport (EXT).

History

Exeter is a cathedral city and the county town of Devon in South West England. It is situated on the River Exe, approximately 36 mi (58 km) northeast of Plymouth and 65 mi (105 km) southwest of Bristol. In 2024, Exeter had a population of 138,399, making it the second largest settlement in Devon after Plymouth. Under local government restructuring plans Exeter will, with the addition of parishes from East Devon, Teignbridge and Mid Devon, become the Exeter unitary authority from 2028.

Restaurants & places to go

British, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-We 09:00-23:00; Th-Sa 09:00-23:30 Features: vegan options, step-free access · 1 Southernhay Gardens, Exeter, EX1 1SG · cosyclub.co.uk
Indoor
Steak, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-23:00; Su 12:00-22:00 Features: step-free access · Guardian Road, Exeter, EX1 3PE · millerandcarter.co.uk
Indoor
Sandwich, Bakery, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-19:00; Sa 08:00-18:00; Su 09:00-17:00 Features: takeaway · 195 High Street, Exeter, EX4 3EB · greggs.com
Indoor
British, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating · 38 Commercial Road, Exeter, EX2 4AE · thelounges.co.uk
Indoor
British, Restaurant · Features: step-free access · Rydon Lane, Exeter, EX2 7HL · tobycarvery.co.uk
Indoor
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:30-16:00 · 22 The Quay, Exeter, EX2 4AP · coffeecellar.co.uk
Indoor
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-23:00; Su 12:00-22:00 · Station Road, Exeter, EX6 8DZ · swans-nest.com
Indoor
Cafe · Opening hours: 08:00 -17:00 Features: outdoor seating, step-free access · 1 Monmouth Hill, Exeter, EX3 0JQ · route2topsham.co.uk
Indoor

292 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

Exeter Airport (EXT) 4 mi to the centre
Exeter EX5 2BD, UK — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 6 airlines (Flybe, Air France, Isles of Scilly Skybus, Transavia France…) · direct flights to 19 destinations incl. Palma de Mallorca, Bergerac, Faro, Paris, Rennes… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Serves Cardiff (53 mi) — the low-cost way in
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 6 airlines, 19 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Dunkeswell Airfield 15 mi to the centre
Honiton, Devon, ENG, GB
Outdoor
North Hill Glider Field 13 mi to the centre
ENG, GB
Outdoor
Stoodleigh Barton Private Airstrip 16 mi to the centre
Tiverton, Devon, ENG, GB
Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Exeter Quay
Ferry terminal · 1.2 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Starcross
Ferry terminal · 7 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Starcross Ferry
Ferry terminal · 8 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Stuart Line Cruises
Ferry terminal · 8 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Teignmouth Ferry Landing
Ferry terminal · 12 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Butts Ferry
Ferry route
Outdoor
Quay to Double Lock
Ferry route
Outdoor
Double Locks to Turf Lock Ferry
Ferry route
Outdoor
Topsham Ferry
Ferry route
Outdoor
Topsham - The Turf Hotel
Ferry route
Outdoor
Exmouth – Exeter
Ferry route · Stuart Line Cruises
Outdoor
Starcross-Exmouth Ferry
Ferry route
Outdoor
Starcross-Exmouth Passenger Ferry
Ferry route · Stuart Line Cruises
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Exeter Airport (EXT); 5 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: EXT has direct flights to 19 destinations on 6 airlines (incl. Palma de Mallorca, Bergerac, Faro, Paris, Rennes…). By water: 5 ferry terminals within 12 mi (nearest: Exeter Quay, 1.2 mi); routes include Butts Ferry, Quay to Double Lock, Double Locks to Turf Lock Ferry.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Exeter, United Kingdom. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach

Tours & experiences

Sightseeing