Guest blog: 10 things I wish I knew as a student in Exeter

Hi! My name is Punch, and I’m a University of Exeter alum. I graduated nearly three years ago and then went on to pursue a master’s degree in London. After spending a year there, I found myself missing Exeter too much and decided to return!

Exeter may be a small city, but it’s full of life with so much to explore and discover. Now that I’m living here again, I’ve realised there are quite a few things I wish I had known about as a student. So, I’ve put together a list of 10 tips that would have made my time in Exeter easier, more vibrant, and even more exciting.

1. Where to get work done

As students, we're always on the lookout for new study spots. The university library is great, but it can get boring after a while. Some of my personal requirements for a good study spot is somewhere with comfortable seating (i.e. no bar seating!), free Wi-Fi, and if there are some charging outlets then that’s a plus!

Arrietty – A café hidden on Longbrook Street, behind John Lewis. This café is surprisingly spacious inside, with amazing coffee and delicious pastries to boot. The vibes are calm and minimal, making for a very aesthetic study spot.

BrewDog – An unexpected but outstanding choice! BrewDog in the Guildhall Shopping Centre offers co-working space and tables for you to book for the price of £10. This is such a steal considering there is unlimited coffee and tea included, as well as a free pint after your work is done. This is such an underrated offer, especially since you won’t be left feeling guilty for staying in one place for too long (which is the case sometimes when studying at cafes).

Boston Tea Party – Delicious food? Check! Beautiful décor? Check! Free Wi-Fi? Check, check, check! This is a great spot to get some work done, with high ceilings and plenty of seating available. If you haven’t tried the Sweetcorn Fritters here – you’re missing out!

Devon & Exeter Institution – Another hidden gem is tucked away on Cathedral Green. For a £10 day fee, you can access their library, and it’s absolutely worth it. The interior is stunning, giving you the feeling of stepping into Belle’s library from Beauty and the Beast. The space is truly breathtaking.

Waterstones Café – On the first floor of Waterstones is an amazing café with loads of seating options. They have recently refurbed the space, adding more seating areas and desks which is great for working. This is such a cosy spot where you are surrounded by the books and baked goods.

2. Second-hand shopping

Exeter has a great variety of charity and vintage shops, so you can always buy new clothes sustainably and without breaking the bank!

The Real McCoy – An iconic Exeter institution. I could spend a whole day browsing through this shop! There are endless vintage pieces to discover, perfect for students who love a rummage. Spending the day shopping with friends is a great way to bond.

Flamingos Vintage – If you are looking for a more curated selection of vintage clothing check out Flamingos Vintage! Don’t forget to snap some shots of you and your friends trying on sunglasses.

Charity shops – A treasure trove of Y2K fashion and midi skirts, charity shops offer a sustainable alternative to fast fashion. With trends always coming back around, the clothes you find here are timeless. Instead of shopping on sites like Shein for your Y2K tops and low-waisted skirts, why not explore one of Exeter’s many charity shops?

3. Haircuts

Moving away from home means finding a new place to get your haircut. If you're looking for something specific, here are some spots to check out:

Meraki – Aveda salon – If you are an Aveda ride-or-die fan and want to ensure that only their products are being used, why not check out Meraki. Meraki is an Aveda salon; their stylist’s skills also match the amazingness of their products.

Celly’s – Pay for what you want – Sometimes all you want is a quick trim or a roots dye job and you don’t want to pay an extravagant amount. Celly’s is the place for when you need something quick and to the point. You pay for what you want, and you don’t break the bank!

Elevate – Curly hair specialist – Everyone with curly hair knows the struggle! Especially when going to a new salon and not being sure if they know how to work with your special hair texture. Cast your doubts and worries aside at Elevate where they are curl consultants!

Heartbreaker’s Hair Co. – Hair colouring specialist - If you’ve ever wanted to try rainbow hair or going blonde – visit heartbreaker’s hair. It always seems like hair transformations are a part of major life changes – whether it be a breakup or moving away for university. These transformations don’t always turn out great, but you can trust Heartbreaker’s Hair Co to make sure you look your best.

4. Fore Street Flea

What’s better than spending a fun Sunday with friends at a flea market? My first flea was only recently, and I really regretted not going when I was still in university a few years ago! This is such a fun weekend activity to do with your friends, exploring all the local traders and rummaging through second-hand clothes. Where I’m from in Thailand is famous for our many markets filled with local traders and the Fore Street Flea reminds me of the vibrant markets back home.

5. Exeter Library of Things

As a student, you may want to try new hobbies, go camping with friends, or host parties. But what do you do when you don’t have the right equipment and don’t want to buy something you'll only use once? We present to you the Exeter Library of Things. They have all sorts of items like board games, camping equipment, a chocolate fountain, an ice cream maker, and so much more! This is great for university societies as well. I wish I had known about this when I was a part of the Thai Society at the university. The chocolate fountain would’ve made for a very extravagant social!

6. The best places for a night out

If you and your friends are wondering where to go out, we’ve got the list for you!

For pre-drinks:

The Monkey Suit, Sidwell Street – If you’re looking for student deals, Monkey Suit do amazing jugs that will get you buzzed before you know it.

Revolution, Queen Street – The atmosphere here is perfect for getting in the mood to party. They have a wide selection of drinks and fun music to set the mood.

50.7, New North Road – 50.7 is one of the newer places but they have so much to offer. With live music nights and quiz nights there is always something going on here!

For clubbing:

Timepiece is the go-to spot for any University students looking to have a fun night out. With two floors and good music, this spot will have you dancing until the club closes.

Fever is another great spot, with two rooms catering to different music tastes. If you’re a fan of hip hop or EDM stay in the first room but if you like cheesy and pop music head over to the second room for some Justin Bieber and ABBA songs.

7. Activities in the City

Exeter has so much more to offer than you might know! Here is a list of places to consider when you don’t know how to spend your day:

For fun activities: Boom Battle Bar has so much to offer, whether it be daytime or nighttime. If you’ve never tried axe-throwing, now’s your chance! They also have crazy golf, escape rooms, as well as darts!

For workshops and films: Exeter Phoenix is the cultural centre of Exeter, with workshops happening every week. Have a look on their website and find something that suits your fancy. It’s a great chance to try some new hobbies and skills. They also show old films, making it a great place to hang out with some friends.

For getting active: If you’re looking for an active thing to do, why not go swimming at St Sidwell’s Point. They have a huge swimming pool, perfect for beginners, pros, and anyone in between.

For getting creative: Visit the Jolly Pottery for painting or making pottery. Pottery painting is super relaxing and a great creative outlet. Book into your spot online and pick out the pottery that you want to be painting. But be careful – the colours turn out much more vibrant and darker!

For themed bottomless brunches: If you love a drag brunch or a 90s themed party, check out The Terrace’s themed bottomless brunch. Grab a day drink and delicious food with your friends on a balcony overlooking the beautiful city of Exeter.

For solving puzzles: Test your friendships and wit at Locked in a Room. Escape rooms are the perfect way to see how everyone acts under pressure. It’s super exciting and gets you immersed in the experience.

8. Places that take student discounts

Students love a good bargain! With limited funds, here are some spots you may not know offer student discounts:

Somboon Thai – Somboon Thai holds a special place in my heart. As a Thai student who wasn’t very good at cooking her first year of university, finding places that did authentic Thai food was a necessity. They make the best beef soup noodles in town and will blow you away with their grilled chicken rice. You can try all of this with a 5% student discount.

Crazy Bubble – Experience bubble tea like never before with Crazy Bubble. They have one of the widest varieties of topping and drink options in Exeter. You already get an amazing deal as the topping is included in the price, however, if you are a student, you get an even better deal with 10% off.

Yonk Asian Shop – If you’re ever in need of Asian groceries, head down to Yonk Asian Shop on Sidwell Street. You’ll be able to find rare snacks, sauces, drinks, and so much more at Yonk Asian Shop. If you are a student, then make sure to ask them for a student discount when checking out.

Exeter Phoenix – Reap Studio47 benefits at Exeter Phoenix with the student and U25 FREE membership! With this membership you get discounts on movie tickets, workshops, hot drinks, and more! Exeter Phoenix is always hosting interesting craft workshops and screening movies, making this the perfect place for students to spend their time.

Check out UNiDAYS to see which high street brands offer student discounts.

9. International cuisine

If you’re tired of your usual pesto and pasta, venture out to try some new spots in Exeter. You might just find your new favourite restaurant! Or, if you’re an international student, you may discover a taste of home.

IFood Thai Taste – Whether you’re a Thai International student or a student just looking to have some delicious Thai food, head on over to IFood Thai Taste. They do an amazing Tom Yum Fried Rice and have plenty of noodle dishes like Pad Thai. They also recently introduced crispy chicken and rice which is hands-down one of their most popular menus. They now also serve bubble tea! Grab your friends and head on over to IFood Thai Taste.

Efes Grill – If you’re a kebab lover or enjoy Turkish cuisine, Efes Grill is a must-visit. Think you've had kebab before? Not until you've tried Efes Grill. Their sharing platters are loaded with a variety of chicken and lamb cuts that are simply mouthwatering. Plus, they serve a breadbasket with an incredible sauce that’s so good, it’ll keep you up at night thinking about it.

Jing Dou – Finding a place that does authentic Chinese Food can be a struggle sometimes. At Jingdou they do a variety of dishes that are sure to make your taste buds dance. I especially recommend their Sichuan Style Dry Pot where you can pick and choose the meats and vegetables you want to include. The results are a savoury, fragrant dish filled with spices and flavour.

Pink Ginger Flower Café – Say hello to Exeter’s first Japanese bakery café, where the choux creams sell out before 3 pm and the roll cakes fly off the shelves. They also offer exceptional matcha, sourced directly from Kyoto, Japan. In addition to delicious treats, the café sells flowers and houseplants, creating a beautiful ambiance that's perfect for a visit. Be sure to stop by and soak it all in.

Opas Gyros – If you love Greek food, you'll adore Opa's Gyros. As the name suggests, they specialize in gyros—but these aren't your ordinary ones. Each gyro is thoughtfully packed with high-quality ingredients. Their fries are cooked in fresh oil and seasoned with rosemary, adding an extra touch of flavour. They’re also generous with the fillings, making sure you get your money's worth.

10. Discover hidden areas

Why not explore outside the city centre? You won’t want to miss these local gems in Exeter:

Magdalen Road – A street lined with independent cafes and charming shops; this is one of Exeter’s hidden gems. Here, you’ll discover a more peaceful side of town, filled with incredible restaurants and unique boutiques waiting to be explored. Be sure to try Portal Pizza, Stage or Calvo Loco Tapas Bar—their food is sure to impress. The area also boasts cozy coffee shops perfect for relaxing and chatting, along with plenty of independent stores to browse.

Fore Street – Fore Street boasts the highest concentration of independent shops in Exeter. There’s so much to discover here, so don’t hesitate to venture beyond the usual city centre. Explore the McCoy’s Arcade, where you’ll find gems like The Real McCoy and Bookbag. The street is also home to a variety of eateries, including Jinli and Goto, offering even more reasons to explore this vibrant area.

Gandy Street – Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the High Street, Gandy Street is a vibrant, inviting spot adorned with colourful flower baskets. Here, you’ll discover vintage clothing stores like Sobeys and Flamingos, along with cozy bars perfect for an after-work drink.