Exeter Customs House

Historic Building and Tourist Office in Exeter

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Herbythyme

Exeter Customs House is one of the best places to visit in Exeter for travellers interested in maritime trade, architecture and the city's woollen-cloth history. Built in 1680 during the height of Exeter's thriving cloth industry, the Customs House stands proudly on the historic quayside-an area shaped by Romans, medieval merchants and pioneering canal engineers. Its grand façade, sweeping staircase and beautifully decorated plaster ceilings reflect the wealth and importance of Exeter's port during the 17th century.

Today, it serves as a lively visitor centre and the starting point for Exeter's famous Red Coat Guided Tours, making it an ideal gateway to understanding the city's past. Inside, displays, objects and multimedia presentations tell the story of Exeter's maritime trade, canal development and the people who helped shape its quayside industry.

History and Significance of Exeter Customs House
Things to See and Do in Exeter Customs House
How to Get to Exeter Customs House
Practical Tips on Visiting Exeter Customs House
Where to Stay close to Exeter Customs House
Is Exeter Customs House Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting Exeter Customs House
Nearby Attractions to Exeter Customs House

History and Significance of Exeter Customs House

Exeter's quayside has been used since Roman times, long before the Customs House was built. During the 13th and 14th centuries, rival merchants constructed weirs near Topsham that blocked ships from reaching the city. This led to major navigational challenges and limited Exeter's access to foreign markets.

The breakthrough came in the 16th century when engineer John Trew constructed the first stretch of the Exeter Canal between 1564 and 1566. This innovation allowed cargo vessels to bypass the weirs and reach closer to the city once more, revitalising trade. With increased imports and exports-particularly of the region's high-quality woollen cloth-the need for a dedicated customs building became clear.

Completed in 1680, the Customs House became a symbol of Exeter's commercial resurgence. Its fine architecture reflects the prosperity generated by the cloth industry and the growing importance of regulated trade. Today, the building stands as one of the most significant surviving 17th-century structures on any English quayside.

Things to See and Do in Exeter Customs House

The interior of the Customs House showcases richly decorated plaster ceilings, an elegant wooden staircase and historic rooms that once oversaw the city’s maritime trade. The visitor centre brings this past vividly to life through interactive displays, artefacts and models.

Highlights include items from the cloth industry-such as tenter hooks and tillet blocks-as well as documents, illustrations and maps that trace the evolution of Exeter's port. The audiovisual presentation “Exeter, 2000 Years of History” provides an engaging overview from Roman settlement to modern city.

After exploring indoors, visitors can stroll along Exeter Quay to enjoy shops, cafés, canal views and access to riverside walking and cycling trails.

How to Get to Exeter Customs House

The nearest major airport is Exeter Airport, located a short drive from the city centre. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Exeter on Booking.com.

Exeter St David's and Exeter Central stations offer frequent rail connections from London, Bristol, Plymouth and the wider region. The quayside is easily reached on foot from Exeter Central. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio.

Visitors arriving by car can use various city-centre and quayside car parks, with pedestrian access leading directly to the Customs House.

Practical Tips on Visiting Exeter Customs House

Best time to visit Exeter Customs House: Year-round; mornings are quieter.
Entrance fee in Euros: Free entry.
Opening hours: Open most days; check local listings for seasonal changes.
Official website: Visit Exeter’s tourism pages for updated information.
How long to spend: 30-60 minutes.
Accessibility: Good overall, though some historic features involve steps.
Facilities: Visitor centre, toilets and nearby cafés on the quayside.
Photography tip: Capture the ornate plaster ceilings inside and the historic quayside outside.
Guided tours: The starting point for Exeter Red Coat Guided Tours.
Nearby food options: Excellent cafés, pubs and restaurants along Exeter Quay.

Where to Stay close to Exeter Customs House

Exeter offers a range of accommodation near the quayside. For a comfortable riverside stay, consider Hotel du Vin Exeter. A modern and convenient option is Mercure Exeter Southgate Hotel. Nearby, Leonardo Hotel Exeter provides good access to both the city centre and the quay.

Is Exeter Customs House Worth Visiting?

Yes, Exeter Customs House is well worth visiting. Its combination of striking 17th-century architecture, engaging exhibitions and scenic quayside setting makes it a rewarding stop for anyone exploring Exeter. It offers a clear and enjoyable window into the city's maritime heritage and industrial past.

FAQs for Visiting Exeter Customs House

When was the Customs House built?
It was completed in 1680 during the peak of Exeter’s woollen-cloth trade.

Is entry free?
Yes, admission is free.

What can I see inside?
Historic rooms, decorated ceilings, cloth-industry artefacts, models and an audiovisual presentation.

Is it family-friendly?
Yes, with interactive displays and spacious exhibition areas.

Does it host tours?
Yes, it is the meeting point for Exeter Red Coat Guided Tours.

Nearby Attractions to Exeter Customs House

Exeter Cathedral - A magnificent Gothic cathedral with the world's longest medieval vault.
Exeter Quay - A historic waterfront with shops, cafés and riverside walks.
The Exeter Canal - One of Britain's earliest navigable canals.
Royal Albert Memorial Museum - Art, archaeology and natural history collections.
Exeter's Underground Passages - Medieval tunnels beneath the city streets.

The Exeter Customs House appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Exeter!

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