Here in the West Country you’re only ever a short drive away from stunning countryside, quaint villages and quintessentially British beaches. And if work brings you to this fine corner of the island, you’re well connected too.

Exeter sits on and gets its name from the River Exe, which feeds into the English Channel at Exmouth. If you’re arriving from the north or east, the main motorway leading to the city is the M5, which passes through Taunton, Weston-Super-Mare, Bristol and on to Birmingham.

If you’re coming from London, you can follow the motorway route of the M4 west to Bristol and then the M5 south-west or, more popularly, the M3 south-west before joining the A303 just past Basingstoke.

From Exeter itself, the A377 heads to north Devon and Barnstaple, the A380 south to the British Riviera of Torquay and Paignton. The A38 skirts around the southern edge of Dartmoor National Park and will take you to Plymouth and then onwards into Cornwall – you can follow it as far as Bodmin and then move on to the A30 for Penzance and the westernmost point of England. 

For such a small city, there’s a lot to do in Exeter. As a starter head to Rougemont Castle which sits atop the highest part of the city and dates back more than 1,000 years, in various forms. The name comes from the reddish colour of the rock on which it stood, and although little exists of the early structure, some parts of the boundary walls and gatehouse remain. It’s the tip of the iceberg in this charming city.

Quayside

The Quayside is a short journey from the city centre and a gathering place for both locals and visitors alike. Park nearby and head to Custom House Visitor Centre to plan your journey.

The other alternative for travel is by boat – you can hire canoes to travel up and down the waterfront, a ferry to travel further afield to Brixham, or enjoy fishing trips and birdwatching cruises.

Grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants in the Quayside area. Samuel Jones, a one-time JP, Sheriff and Mayor of Exeter, gave his name to one of the city’s most famous meet-up locations. It won the Best New Pub award in 2016 and is well known for its smokehouse-style food - which is smoked and cured in-house before being cooked over hot charcoal in a Josper oven. The Smokemaster feast for two takes in pulled pork, rack of ribs, beef brisket, chicken wings and a whole host of sides.

For something much grander, book in to Lympstone Manor. This luxury country house hotel also houses a great restaurant from celebrity chef Michael Caines. Dishes like roasted Brixham scallop with soused cauliflower and loin of Powderham venison with glazed figs saw it attain a Michelin star only six months after opening.

Roman around

The oldest parts of Exeter’s City Wall are around 2,000 years old and are said to be the site of many important historical events. For an expert view on this piece of British history consider the Exeter City Wall Trail, which begins at the visitor centre in Dix’s Field. If driving, follow Little Castle Street for the first interpretation board.

Clocking in at the cathedral

Exeter Cathedral is an exceptional example of gothic architecture, which dates back more than 900 years. Its highlights include its two Norman towers, an astronomical clock from 1484 and the longest stretch of unbroken Gothic vaulting in the world. On the walls are a complete set of misericords – ledges acting as shelves to support people during prayer – numerous decorated tombs, and the Exon Domesday Book.

Explore Exmoor

Car hire in Exeter is essential to see the best of the Devon countryside - including the dramatic Exmoor National Park, which is about an hour’s drive to the north via the M5 and A361 from the centre of Exeter. The 267 square miles of open moorland, valleys, woods and dramatic cliffs stretch up to wonderful towns and villages such as Minehead and Lynton. If you’re lucky, you may get to see herds of red deer patrolling their kingdom.