My Exeter
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Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.
To build your own Itinerary, click to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
The Custom House Visitor Centre is located on Exeter's historic quayside and occupies one of the most historic buildings on the waterfront.
It houses lively displays, illustrations and artefacts which bring the history and development of Exeter’s Quayside to life. As well as models and items from the cloth industry such as “tenter hooks and tillet blocks”, an exciting audiovisual presentation “Exeter, 2000 years of history” highlights Exeter’s history from Roman times until today.
Throughout the year the Custom House hosts a variety of arts and cultural events and activities including temporary exhibitions. Since 2019, the centre has been a literature hub for Quay Words, with an exciting programme that explores stories and writing. To find out more visit Quay Words at Exeter Custom House | Literature Works.
Information is primarily focused on the Quayside, the river Exe and the Historic Ship Canal. Information is also available for the wider city area to help make your visit to Exeter as enjoyable as possible. The Centre stocks information on where to visit, activities and events in the local area, as well as interesting souvenirs of Exeter, including replica maps, local pottery and a selection of heritage books.
The Custom House is also the starting point for the ‘Exeter Historic Quay’ tour by Exeter’s Red Coat Guides.
Tickets for various events throughout the city can be purchased from the Exeter Corn Exchange Box Office on Fore Street.
Opening Hours
April - October
Daily: 10am to 5pm
November - March
Thursday - Sunday: 11 to 4pm
Admission: Free
| Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff |
|---|---|
| Free Admission | Free |
Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.
Nearest major road is M5. Along Topsham road towards city centre, at Southgate turn left along inner bypass, take first left and park at Quay and cathedral car park. Five minutes walk from here to Quayside.
An hourly bus service runs from the city centre to the Historic Quayside.
| Custom House Visitor Centre (1 Apr 2024 - 31 Oct 2024) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Day | Times | |
| Monday - Sunday | 10:00 | - 17:00* |
| Custom House Visitor Centre (1 Nov 2024 - 31 Dec 2024) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Day | Times | |
| Monday - Wednesday | Closed* | |
| Thursday - Sunday | 11:00 | - 16:00* |
| Custom House Visitor Centre (2 Jan 2025 - 31 Mar 2025) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Day | Times | |
| Monday - Wednesday | Closed* | |
| Thursday - Sunday | 11:00 | - 16:00* |
* April - October: access to upstairs and film room 10am to 4:30pm
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Travel to Exeter by train, with Great Western Railway. Get inspiration with one of our suggested rail itineraries.
Exeter became the only UK destination in 2019 to be awarded UNESCO City of Literature status, recognised for its 1,000 year unbroken history of making books and popularising reading since the early 13th century.
Read the latest blogs here, including guest articles and top tips from locals!
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