History and Heritage Itinerary

A 2,000 year long history means Exeter has plenty of historical monuments to show off. Immerse yourself in the city's history with our suggested 2 day history and heritage itinerary.

Day 1

Morning

If you’re travelling to Exeter by train, hop off at Exeter Central where you’ll be footsteps away from the Royal Albert Memorial Museum. Spend a few hours here and discover history and culture from pre-historic times to the present day. Visit RAMM’s café for a quick coffee and don’t miss the gift shop, to pick out a unique souvenir to take home with you.

Visit Exeter Cathedral in the heart of the city. Join a guided tour to learn more about the history of the building from the experts. Don't miss the minstrels' gallery, the organ and the astronomical clock, and be sure to look up to see the beautiful stained glass windows and the longest stretch of unbroken Gothic vaulting in the world.

Lunch

Time for a break. There are plenty of restaurants, pubs and cafés which serve light lunches and afternoon teas to re-charge yourself. Visit the Cathedral Refectory, for lunch with a calming atmosphere within the Cathedral grounds.

Afternoon

Join a free guided walking tour with the Red Coat Guides to discover more about Exeter’s fascinating, and sometimes turbulent 2,000 year history. Afterwards, pop into the Exeter Guildhall, which has served as the centrepiece of Exeter's civic life for more than 800 years.

Book onto a tour at the fascinating Underground Passages, where you’ll discover how medieval Exeter transported its fresh drinking water in the 14^th century.

Exeter wealth in the 17th century was due to the woollen cloth trade, and you can find out more at the ancient Tuckers Hall, home to the still in existence Incorporation of Weavers, Fullers and Shearmen, one of the craft guilds of Exeter.

Just a 10 minute walk from the city centre, the Quayside is a must when visiting Exeter. Here you can browse in quirky shops housed in historic cellars and explore the Custom House Visitor Centre, before you finish your day with an evening meal beside the river. 

Day 2

Morning

Head east out of Exeter to the beautiful estuary town of Topsham. Walk through the quaint streets to see the Dutch-style merchants houses, which stand as a legacy to Topsham’s maritime past when the town exported wool and cotton to Holland. Take some time to relax on Topsham’s Quay, where goods were exported from the town in the 17^th and 18^th century.

Visit Topsham Museum and Merchant’s House on The Strand to discover Topsham's maritime history.

Lunch

Topsham is a foodie's heaven. There are numerous independent cafes and restaurants here, some with an emphasis on fresh fish such as the Galley Restaurant.

Afternoon

Visit Powderham Castle, where you’ll find beautiful grounds with stunning views. Take a guided tour of the Castle to discover the fascinating tales of the 600 year-old family home, to discover what more this attraction has to offer.