Exeter

[ash]

I’m going to a funeral and have got the option of staying overnight and seeing a bit of Exeter. Can anyone advise what there is to see and if it’s worth spending a day mooching around. Any good restaurants, pubs etc. I used to visit every year as a child but only to see family in Heavitree and spending time at the hospital social club. I’ve never been in the city itself.

 

[High Voltage]

If the weather is nice the Quay has a selection of drinky eatery places and a relaxing afternoon can be spent there

The main High Street area is pretty much like any mid-sized city centre. So nothing of note

When I go down to see my mate in Exwick we tend to head out of the city into the surrounding countryside or down to Dawlish on the coast

And I quite like Exeter but I'm pretty meh! about it now

 

[Idaho]

It sort of depends on what things you like and are interested in tbh. It's a small city which the Luftwaffe and the post war planners destroyed. There are interesting old details here and there, and there is good access to places to walk.

 

[blossie33]

I've never actually had a look around Exeter, reminds me of the traffic jams round Exeter Bypass when going on holiday down to Devon or Cornwall pre M5 days
I don't know if you're into Cathedrals but I see there's a Christmas Market on until 15th December...

Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market Opening Times 2024 | Exeter Cathedral

Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market Opening Times 2024

www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk

 

[two sheds]

Yep the Cathedral is interesting, and the square it's in. There was a good old pub there but there was a fire a few years ago and I'm not sure whether it's still there.

 

[Idaho]

No, the well house is still a building site, as is the whole corner where the burnt down hotel was.

 

[rubbershoes]

Gandy St is a pretty street just off the High St and is part of the inspiration for Diagon Alley, if you like that sort of thing. There's a fancy chocolate shop there.

Round the corner from there is the museum. It's compact but interesting.

Not far from there is Parliament St, Britain's narrowest. It may or may not smell of piss

 

[fucthest8]

The museum is excellent, the Cathedral is cathedral-y, I recommend the Fat Pig pub for both food and boozes and The Flat for the best pizza you will ever have, which just happens to be vegetarian. There's a halfway house in the area mind, so quite a lot of street-attached folk hanging around, no point pretending there aren't. Just be sensible.

If you've got £££ then Rendezvous does excellent food, just don't look at their website, don't think it's been updated since it was created in the 90's

The Phoenix Art Centre is great and has loads of bands on as well as art exhibitions and a nice cafe bar. The Cavern is an outstanding music venue, loads of bands and themed nights, although the latter are very studenty. Both in Gandy Street

The Quay is good, Topsham Brewery is a good booze barn for all your modern craft beers, they'll also have at least one old man beer if that's your thing and a pizza van outside that opens in the afternoon/evening, they also have films and music upstairs. Or there's the Prospect for a traditional pub vibe and reasonably priced pub grub. There's also loads of I-saw-you-coming little shops under the arches that are worth a mooch and a huge bric-a-brac shop. Plus you'll pass by/over a section of the Roman wall on your way down.

 

[fucthest8]

I’m going to a funeral and have got the option of staying overnight and seeing a bit of Exeter. Can anyone advise what there is to see and if it’s worth spending a day mooching around. Any good restaurants, pubs etc. I used to visit every year as a child but only to see family in Heavitree and spending time at the hospital social club. I’ve never been in the city itself.

Also, sorry to hear about the reason for visiting. I hope that it's a good celebration of the person.

 

[Bus Honeygun]

Some good suggestions above.

Bar 12 on Paris Street is a decent place for a stop. Café/bar/record shop that puts on low-key music events.

Some good independent shops on Fore Street too where the excellent Flat pizzeria fucthest8 mentioned above is located.

 

[ash]

Thanks everyone “food for thought”. We might stay over and have a look around. Like I said we used to “go to Exeter” as children over 40 years ago but never actually saw Exeter. Flat pizza sounds a good option.

 

[rubbershoes]

The museum is excellent, the Cathedral is cathedral-y, I recommend the Fat Pig pub for both food and boozes and The Flat for the best pizza you will ever have, which just happens to be vegetarian. There's a halfway house in the area mind, so quite a lot of street-attached folk hanging around, no point pretending there aren't. Just be sensible.

If you've got £££ then Rendezvous does excellent food, just don't look at their website, don't think it's been updated since it was created in the 90's

The Phoenix Art Centre is great and has loads of bands on as well as art exhibitions and a nice cafe bar. The Cavern is an outstanding music venue, loads of bands and themed nights, although the latter are very studenty. Both in Gandy Street

The Quay is good, Topsham Brewery is a good booze barn for all your modern craft beers, they'll also have at least one old man beer if that's your thing and a pizza van outside that opens in the afternoon/evening, they also have films and music upstairs. Or there's the Prospect for a traditional pub vibe and reasonably priced pub grub. There's also loads of I-saw-you-coming little shops under the arches that are worth a mooch and a huge bric-a-brac shop. Plus you'll pass by/over a section of the Roman wall on your way down.

Yeah but Parliament St comes out near Greggs, so that's the food sorted

 

[Chilli.s]

Theres a good guitar shop, and an ex army shop too

 

[cupid_stunt]

I recommend the Fat Pig pub for both food and boozes

The Fat Pig is excellent for food, assuming it's as good as when I was last in there, as was the Rusty Bike, which was owned by the same people, but sadly has closed.

 

[Agrippa57]

It sort of depends on what things you like and are interested in tbh. It's a small city which the Luftwaffe and the post war planners destroyed. There are interesting old details here and there, and there is good access to places to walk.

Probably explains why it reminded me very strongly of Hull. Exactly the same thing happened there.

 

[Kevbad the Bad]

If you're in Exeter city centre the Comptoir Libanais is quite good for food. It's part of a chain, limited choices but good value. Nice Middle Eastern food.