Exeter – a city full of fabulous food and drink, addictive culture, picture-perfect spots and exciting activities. This makes it a city PERFECT for a hen and stag do!
If you’re in the middle of planning a special group getaway look no further than Exeter – we’ve put together the best activities in our city. We guarantee these will be crowd pleasers!
Take a tour of Exeter Brewery
Treat the beer lover in your life to a tour of our very own Exeter Brewery, available for 15-50 people. A typical tour begins at the Tap Room for drinks, a tour of the brewery and then back to the Tap Room for pie, mash, peas and gravy. We’ll meet you there!
Drinks all round at a bottomless brunch
A hearty brunch plus unlimited prosecco, cocktails or beer - what could be better than that? In Exeter you’ll find a variety of bottomless brunches including pies, pizzas, English fry-ups, chicken and much more - so there’s something for everyone! Book your brunch at:
Roam wild with an outdoor activity
Our city is filled with green open spaces, which means that it’s perfect for outdoor activity! Explore the grounds of Escot House on a quad bike go kart or head to Skirmish Activity Centre for a thrilling session of paintballing or axe throwing! If you're after an activity with spectacular views, book a Segway session at Haldon Forest!
Make your own botanical gin at Exeter Gin School
Enrol at the Exeter Gin School! Take a tour of Exeter Gin then create your very own botanical gin in a mini copper pot still - you’ll be guided throughout the process and will even take home your own 35cl bottle of gin! Keep an eye on the Exeter Gin School’s website for details.
Get on the water
In Exeter, we’re blessed to be surrounded by glorious canals, rivers, estuaries and the World Heritage Jurassic Coast that are perfect for watersports! Your journey opportunities are endless, there are plenty of areas to suit all abilities. To prepare for a fantastic day on the water, you’ll need your equipment first! If you don’t have your own, don’t let that stop you! Here are a list of places where you can hire your own paddleboards, kite-surfing boards, canoes, kayaks and lifejacket or buoyancy aid to get you started:
Click here to discover must-visit watersport locations!
Win at the races
Feeling lucky? Enjoy a day at Exeter Racecourse – whether you’re a first timer or a regular race attender, this activity is bound to get your heart-pumping with excitement!
Swing through the trees at Go Ape! At Haldon Forest
Experience new heights at Go Ape, the UK’s no.1 forest adventure! Harness up and fly across zip-wires, leap off the Tarzan Swing and try something new as you admire Haldon Forest’s breath-taking views! This is an experience you certainly won’t forget! Book your adventure at Haldon Forest here!
Dig into an afternoon tea
Nothing says special occasion more than an afternoon tea! Round the group up and enjoy a delightful afternoon full of prosecco, scones, sandwiches and sweet treats. Lucky for your party, Exeter definitely isn’t short of an afternoon tea or two.
Try:
Exeter Golf and Country Club
Hotel Du Vin
Eat on The Green
The Ivy
Mercure Southgate Hotel
Lympstone Manor
Woodbury Park Hotel
See a show
Our city is packed with theatre and performing arts venues with captivating programmes – grab tickets to a theatre production, dance the night away at a live gig or sit back and let our comedy nights entertain you! Take a look at our page for the low-down on our incredible venues.
Relax with a spa day
After a busy few days it’s only right to treat yourselves to a spa day, right? Sit back, relax and enjoy a manicure, facial, massage and more at our city’s lavish spas.
Check out:
Exeter Golf and Country Club
Hotel Du Vin
Woodbury Park Hotel
Follow the Exeter Food and Drink Trail
Is the Bride or Groom a massive foodie? Take them along the Exeter Food and Drink Trail and enjoy a day indulging in delicious, locally-sourced food and drink. Click here to discover our fantastic restaurants - you'll be spoilt for choice!
Challenge yourself at the Quay Climbing Centre and Haven Banks
Buckle up and climb new heights at the Quay Climbing Centre, which features the largest indoor climbing wall in the South West! For the ultimate adrenaline seekers, give the powerfan free-fall descent a try at Haven Banks!
Visit a vineyard
We've covered gin and beer - it's only right that we let you know about our irresistible local wines! Enjoy an exquisite wine-tasting experience at Lympstone Manor's new vineyard or head to Kenton Park Estate for their Wine Safari Tours and other boozy experiences, click here to find out more.
Coolings on Gandy Street
Bar
Coolings is an independent City Centre venue just off the main Exeter High Street. We are the home of Bottomless, Grazing, Pizza, Cocktails and Live Music. We offer everything from coffee and snacks, breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night food. We offer takeaway and delivery with Deliveroo, Uber and Just Eat around Exeter for our Food Menu, Cocktails, Drinks and More
Queen St Dining
Restaurant
From dawn ‘til dusk and to supper and beyond, Queen St Dining is the perfect location for Exeter’s food-loving residents and city visitors to sample the finest fare from local food heroes and unique cuisines in cool casual dining destinations
Skirmish Activity Centre
Activity Centre
Skirmish Exeter provides - Airsoft, Paintball, Laser Games, Archery Tag, Low Impact Junior Paintball, Junior Airsoft, Tomahawk Axe Throwing, Attacksense, Archery Target Range, Hunter Games, Taser Tag, Corporate Paintball & Stag & Hen Parties and an Airgun Rifle range. A host of activities available come rain or shine
Haldon Forest Cycle Trails
Cycle Route
Discover Haldon Forest Park on two wheels with trails for every ability in our 3,500 acre woodland just 15 minutes from Exeter.
Exeter Gin
Local Shop
Winner of the award for Best Classic Gin at the Great British Food Awards 2020, Exeter's own premium gin is made in small batches and produced in a traditional copper still.
AS Watersports
Shop
A S Watersports are the south west's premier canoe, kayak, sit on top and fishing kayak retailers. Over 30 years of experience means our friendly expert staff can give you the best advice.
Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre
Outdoor
Outdoor activity centre. Sailing, windsurfing, caving, climbing and orienteering, raft building, canoeing. Overnight camps and residential visits.
Saddles and Paddles
Boating and Canoeing
Bike and canoe hire from Exeter's historic quayside. Explore the old canal trail. Seven miles of flat, traffic free cycling in beautiful countryside. The canoes are great fun and easy to use for exploring this beautiful waterway.
Exeter Racecourse
Sports Ground/Stadium
Welcome to Exeter Racecourse... the South West's most prestigious racecourse, sitting high on the top of Haldon Hill, just outside Exeter with wonderful views down towards Dartmoor.
Haldon Forest Park - Forestry England
Country Park/Nature Reserve
Whether you want a gentle stroll or an exhilarating mountain biking experience, there’s something for everyone at Haldon Forest Park. Open 364 days of the year, there is something for every interest to connect you with the great outdoors.
Land Rover Experience West Country
Adventure Park/Playground
Set in the beautiful Blackdown Hills AONB, we give you the chance to experience Land Rover vehicles at their best, from an individual to a large corporate event.
Hotel Du Vin
Restaurant
Bistro du Vin is at the heart of our hotel in Exeter. Experience an elegant and informal setting for lunch and dinner - where our esteemed guests can meet, celebrate or simply pass the time.
Eat on the Green
Tea Room/Coffee Shop
Eat on the Green is an independent restaurant in the heart of Exeter, owned and managed by a team who are passionate about creating great food using local, free range produce bought directly from the farmers and brought to you with excellent table service. The restaurant is in a Sixteenth Century building overlooking Exeter’s historic Cathedral Green.
The Ivy Exeter
Restaurant
Neighbouring the iconic Exeter Cathedral at 65-67 High Street, The Ivy Exeter offers sophisticated yet friendly all-day dining in the heart of Devon for locals and visitors alike.
The Ivy Exeter offers relaxed, sophisticated all-day dining to tourists, shoppers and locals alike. From modern British classics to Asian-inspired cuisine and fantastic vegan and vegetarian dishes, there’s something for everyone to love, seven days a week. The restaurant sits within easy reach of the Guildhall shopping Centre, Phoenix theatre and the Corn Exchange, making it the ideal venue for pre-show dining or post-shopping drinks.
Mercure Southgate Hotel
Hotel
The Mercure Southgate Hotel is an ideal base for both the business and leisure traveller. Close to what all the city centre has to offer. An outstanding blend of traditional English style and modern living.
Woodbury Park Hotel & Golf Club
Hotel
Nestled in 350 acres of glorious Devon countryside, sits Woodbury Park Hotel & Golf Club. A rural haven close to the heart of Exeter.
Quay Climbing Centre
Adventure Park/Playground
Enjoy climbing with your family or friends at the South West’s largest indoor climbing wall. The Quay Climbing Centre is located in the heart of Exeter’s Quayside in the Old Electricity Building.
Kenton Park Estate & Vineyard
Farm Shop
Kenton Park Estate’s Conference Facilities are just outside of Exeter forming an integral part of the working Winery & Vineyard providing very versatile Function space. It's a unique setting for your Meeting & can be hired out for all occasions.