Exeter is bursting with heritage as one of England’s historically significant towns. From medieval underground passages to the Gothic Cathedral, Exeter is a unique city with a myriad of exciting attractions to explore and a beautiful National Park to discover just outside the city. Take a look below for the best things to do in Exeter and start planning your trip today!
Best Bar: Once Sir Francis Drake’s own watering hole,The Ship Inn offers a taste of Exeter’s heritage as well as 2 for 1 cocktails after 5pm! Find it a few minutes from Exeter Cathedral yard.
Best Restaurant: Harry’s Restaurant on Longbrook Street provides Exeter with delicious, locally sourced food, from 18oz T-bone steaks to their famous Harry’s Heart Attack dessert!
Best Shopping: With over 70 of the best high street shops, independent boutiques, cafes, and restaurants, Princesshay Shopping Centre is the place to go for a day of retail therapy – and only a couple of minutes from our Exeter hotel.
Best Sight: Joining the High Street and Waterbeer Street, Parliament Street is the narrowest in Europe, squeezing to just 2ft at its tightest point.
Exeter Cathedral
A cultural and architectural masterpiece, Exeter Cathedral is a source of local pride for its history, grandeur, and contributions to the local community. Mighty and magnificent, the building was consecrated in 1133 and features two huge towers that were part of the original Norman structure. As well as events like tile painting, treasure hunts, and drawing competitions, the cathedral also offers a range of family fun events, and a Friday Night Café where locals and volunteers serve Exeter’s homeless and vulnerably housed.
Found in the city centre, the stunning and spiritual house of worship is situated just a ten-minute walk from Leonardo Hotel Exeter.
Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery
Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery is housed in a striking Victorian building close to the city centre, home to a number of displays from prehistoric to modern times, and the largest art gallery in the city. You can discover a range of more than a million objects from all over the world, including botanical, zoological, and archaeological collections, as well as local history, while there are also behind-the-scenes tours, illustration workshops, botanical walks, and plenty of activities for the whole family.
Admission is free, with the museum open Tuesday to Sunday – 10am to 5pm. The Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery is a brief ten-minute walk from our Exeter hotel.
Underground Passages
Deep below Exeter’s High Street you’ll find an incredible network of underground passages, dating back to the 14th century and home to some of the city’s most interesting history. The passages were originally built to help bring drinking water into the city during medieval times. There are various exhibitions and video presentations as well as a guided tour, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the rich heritage of the passages.
Tickets are £6 for adults and £4 for under 18s, and opening times depend on the time of year. You can find the entrance to the Exeter Underground Passages just a five-minute walk from Leonardo Hotel Exeter.
Red Coat Guided Tours
You can explore the beautiful sights and sounds of Exeter in style with one of the Red Coat Guided Tours, free guided walks that take you to the most interesting historical spots in the city. With a variety of tours showing you around the canal, cathedral, and quayside as well as themed tours like the Murder and Mayhem, Red Coat Mystery, and Halloween tours, everyone can enjoy learning about Exeter’s heritage. Booking isn’t required – just pick a walk and meet the guide at the stated location at the set time.
Make sure to also read our comprehensive Exeter Travel Guide. By exploring our guide, you will maximise your Exeter experience, uncovering the unforgettable moments that this incredible city has to offer.
Belmont Park
Exeter’s Belmont Park is a large and sporty outdoor space perfect for a family day out, whether it’s a jog, a kick-about with your mates, or simply a long walk. Standing out amongst the play areas and stretches of green is England’s first garden created especially for the blind, the Sensory Garden. It was built in 1939 and contains a range of flowers and plants of stimulating scent, colour, and texture. To enhance the sensory experience, the plants are all kept at eye level and within arm’s reach.
Belmont Park is a short seven-minute walk from our Exeter hotel.
Exeter's Historic Quayside
One of the city’s most attractive spots, Exeter’s Historic Quayside is a favourite with locals and visitors alike thanks to its colourful history and heritage, visually stunning architecture, and an array of pubs and restaurants creating a lively atmosphere. You can enhance the experience with a boat ride or a walk down the Exeter Ship Canal, the first canal built in Britain since the Roman era, letting you explore the city’s charming sights and sounds.
Find the Historic Quayside and Ship Canal just a fifteen-minute walk from Leonardo Hotel Exeter.
Dartmoor National Park
Only a short drive from Exeter city centre, Dartmoor National Park is a haven of picturesque and historical landscapes, with plenty to do and see throughout. You can get stuck in with a range of activities, from hiking and cycling to horse-riding and canoeing, or discover the local area and its historic castles and ruins. There are also a number of events on during the year, from markets and live shows to photography courses and park runs, and you can explore the moorland towns in the surrounding area for a taste of local cuisine and shopping.
Dartmoor National Park is located around a thirty-minute drive from Leonardo Hotel Exeter.
You can also refer to our Exeter Travel Guide to ensure you receive additional suggestions for fun activities to enjoy in Exeter.
Guildhall Shopping Centre
Gathering all the best high street stores, from technology to fashion to homeware, as well as some of the city’s most exquisite dining experiences on Queen Street, the Guildhall Shopping Centre is the spot to be for a day of retail therapy and delicious eats.
You can find Guildhall Shopping centre a ten-minute walk from Leonardo Hotel Exeter.
Castle Quarter
A charming area of Exeter home to a variety of unique shops and boutiques, Castle Quarter is a local favourite steeped in heritage and culture. From gift shops such as Kintamani and independent hand-made jewellery stores like Silver Lion to a range of intimate bars and restaurants, the area offers locals and visitors a chance to enjoy a unique shopping experience. Just nearby is the Exeter Castle Courtyard which hosts a number of events and an annual food and drink festival, while England’s first public garden Northernhay Gardens is only a few minutes away.
The Castle Quarter is a short ten-minute walk from our Exeter hotel.
Cathedral Quarter
Exeter’s Cathedral Quarter is the place to go for some of the city’s best and most interesting fashion boutiques, such as Elizabeth Ann, Orvis, and Lugets, as well as Antique & Contemporary where you can find fascinating ironwork, glass, and ceramic items. There is also a bakery and a range of family cafes for when you get hungry, and if you’re here on Thursdays you’ll even get to see an authentic Devon Farmer’s Market!
Cathedral Quarter is a brief twelve-minute walk from Leonardo Hotel Exeter.
Exeter boasts a wide range of attractions and activities beyond its outstanding shopping scene. From thrilling experiences to explore and places to visit, you can discover all the city has to offer by referring to our Exeter Travel Guide.