Exeter City Guide

The historic cathedral city of Exeter is unrivalled in the region for the choice of things to do. The county town of Devon, Exeter was established by the Romans some 2000 years ago as a gateway to the southwest, a role it was perfectly suited for given its location on the wide River Exe, which is navigable and flows southward from here to the English Channel. The city is segmented into distinct quarters to help you explore hidden gems and surprises along the way.

In Roman Britain, Exeter was established as the base of Legio II Augusta under the personal command of Vespasian,  in the Middle Ages it became a religious centre. Exeter Cathedral, founded in the mid 11th century, became Anglican in the 16th-century English Reformation. Exeter became an affluent centre for the wool trade, although by the First World War the city was in decline. After the Second World War, much of the city centre was rebuilt and is now a centre for education, business and tourism in Devon and Cornwall. It is home to two of the constituent campuses of the University of Exeter: Streatham and St Luke’s.

16 Best things to See in Exeter

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Tours and Activities from Exeter