The county town of Devon, and historically the administrative capital of the south-west peninsula. Once among the 5 largest and most important cities in England. Early industry driven by water power from the River Exe, but no major industrialisation in the later 19th century. A significant seaport (courtesy of its Ship Canal) until the age of steam. Badly damaged in an incendiary bombing raid on the High Street and surrounding areas in 1942, with feeble post-war reconstruction, but many interesting buildings remain. Now the commercial and service centre for a largely agricultural hinterland, with a population of around 110,000. Adequate facilities for tourists but not dominated by tourism; regularly voted among the top 3 cities in the UK for quality of life.
Get in
By plane
UK Domestic flights operated by flybe. to Exeter International Airport are available from the following destinations;
Belfast City (BHD)
Edinburgh (EDI)
Glasgow (GLA)
Guernsey (GCI)
Jersey (JER)
Leeds Bradford (LBA)
Manchester (MAN)
Newcastle (NCL)
Norwich (NWI)
Skybus also operates services to and from St. Mary's - Scilly Isles (ISC) during the summer.
International flights to Exeter operated by flybe. are available from the following destinations;
Alicante (ALC)
Amsterdam (AMS) - From 29th October 2006
Bergerac (EGC)
Brest (BES)
Chambery (CMF) - From 23rd December 2006
Dublin (DUB)
Geneva (GVA) - From 23rd December 2006
Malaga (AGP)
Murcia (MJV)
Palma (PMI)
Paris (CDG)
Salzburg (SZG) - From 16th December 2006
Air Transat also operates a scheduled service to Toronto, Canada. There are charter flights to many holiday destinations.
By train
Exeter is on the London Paddington to Cornwall line. Exeter has two railway stations which are Central and Exeter St. Davids. The average journey time from London Paddington to Exeter St. Davids is anywhere between 2 and 3 hours, with the average being around 2 hours 30 minutes. There is also a slower service from London Waterloo which can take upto 4 hours. Central station is literally a 5 minute walk into the city centre along Queen Street.
By Bus
National Express operate a number of bus services from points around the United Kingdom that arrive into the city's bus and coach station, located in Paris Street, only a few minutes walk to the main shopping area in High Street and the cathedral green.
One major operation into Exeter is a nine times a day service from London's Victoria Coach Station (Service Numbers 501, 404 & 406) where fares can be as low as £2.00 return if you book early of course. Just click on the ways to save icon on the website to purchase a fun fare reservation.
Buses within the city are operated by Stagecoach Devon, who also operate buses to most regional destinations. Some regional routes are operated by FirstBus, and by small independent operators. However, the central area of the city is fairly small, so it is easy to get around on foot.
The largest employers are the Devon County Council, the University of Exeter, and the Met Office.
Employment agencies cluster around the west end of the High Street.
The Job centre is at Clarendon House, Western Way
Exeter Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) is at Wat Tyler House in King William Street
Buy
The High Street has mainly national chains, and has been criticised as one of the blandest in the country. Independent shops can be found in the streets just off the High Street.
A major redevelopment of Princesshay and surrounding streets has brought many new or redeveloped shops
Mall-type shopping developments in the city include the Guildhall and Harlequins
There is a concentration of outdoor goods shops in Fore Street
Ali's Shop is a well known local shop in St Thomas
Eat
What follows is a small selection of the city's restaurants; the national chains of Pizza houses etc are also well represented, some of them in attractive settings e.g. ASK and Pizza Express on Cathedral Green, and Zizzi's in Gandy Street. Outdoor cafés are currently (2007) multiplying in the city centre.
Silver Springs, 12 Richmond Road, St. Davids. Tel: 01392 494040, e-mail: reservations@silversprings.co.uk, £35 single, £65 double
Great Western Hotel, St David's Station Approach, single £46, double £72, Tel: 01392 274039, e-mail: bookings@greatwesternhotel.co.uk, [6].
Holiday accommodation at the University of Exeter, [7]
University Managed Accommodation, [8] for University of Plymouth students based in Exeter.
ABode Exeter, Royal Clarence Hotel, Cathedral Yard, Tel 01392 319955, [9].
Stay safe
Exeter is very safe compared to other cities in the UK. There is a high likelihood that you will be asked for money by homeless people at some point, but most of them are not aggressive and will simply move onto the next person if you give them a 'No, sorry.' Sidwell Street in the city centre is probably best avoided after the shops close. The Quayside, whilst attractive by day, is also best avoided at night.
You can follow cycle paths from Exeter Quay to Topsham along the canal. Bikes and canoes can be hired from Saddles and Paddles [10], No. 4 Kings Wharf, The Quay, Exeter, EX4 2AN, who offer good advice and the local bike route maps.
