A West Country powerhouse of education, medicine, religion and culture, Exeter is one of the most underrated cities in all of Great Britain. Located in the glorious southwest on the River Exe in the charming county of Devon, this is a small city with a big heart, boasting a marvellous Norman cathedral and a world-class university. It's also ideally placed being just a short journey from the bewildering Dartmoor and sunny English Riviera beaches - what more could you want?
Visiting Exeter
With twin Norman towers, the hauntingly gothic Exeter Cathedral is the stand-out feature of this ancient city. Built around 1112, the 300-foot structure has the longest unbroken vaulted ceiling in the world and more statues than you can Instagram. And the little cathedral cafe has an Instagram-able iconic Devon cream tea.
Just don’t upset the locals - put the cream on first. Perhaps the best museum outside of London and one of the West Country’s best-kept secrets, the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery (RAMM) was opened in 1868 and, in 2012, was named Museum of the Year. It is a vision of art, science, design, zoology, and technology with exhibits spanning all disciplines, from an ancient Greek helmet to a stuffed giraffe called Gerald.
Stroll around the city, taking in the Norman castle, Roman wall, cathedral, and collonaded Guildhall, unbelievably still in use. Parliament Street - one of the narrowest streets in the world - is particularly worth a peek, just to see if you can squeeze through its 25-inch gap. With Dartmoor six miles away, visitors really should make time to stop by the mysterious moors, but it’s well worth packing an anorak because it can be as wet as it is majestic.
Frequently asked questions
How can I get cheap train tickets to Exeter?
It's easy to grab yourself cheap train tickets to Exeter. We’d recommend using a Railcard, buying your ticket in advance or travelling during Off-Peak hours if you can.
Are trains running to Exeter?
Trains run frequently almost every day to Exeter, although there may be less services during the weekends and bank holidays. Check our live train times for up-to-date information on trains to Exeter.
How long does it take to get to Exeter by train?
You can view train timetables and travel times to Exeter in our Journey Planner. Exeter is well connected to major cities around the UK by train, just enter your departure station and travel date into our Journey Planner to see how long it takes.
Can I use my Railcard to save up to 1/3 on my trip to Exeter?
Yes, there are several types of Railcards you can use to save up to 1/3 on your trip to Exeter, these include:
- Network Railcard (London & South East Travel Zone)
- Two-Together Railcard (Great for couples and friends who always travel together)
- 16-17 Saver (You can save up to 50% with this one)
- 16-25 Railcard (Ideal for students)
- 26-30 Railcard (Also known as the Millennial Railcard)
- Senior Railcard (For those aged 60 and over)
- Family & Friends Railcard (Great for families of up to 4 adults with up to 4 kids)
- Disabled Persons Railcard (If travelling with another adult they can save too)
Having a Railcard means you can use it whenever you want outside of Peak times for a whole year too.