Beyond the city
Beyond Exeter, there are lots of diverse and exciting places to explore. The city is surrounded by award-winning countryside and has a UNESCO World Heritage coastline on its doorstep. From walking on Dartmoor to trying a new water sport on one of the beautiful beaches, there's more than enough to keep you occupied.
The Jurassic Coast is England's first natural World Heritage Site. Covering 95 miles of coastline from Devon to Dorset, it is a varied and magnificent landscape underpinned by geology of global importance.
Exmouth is the western gateway to the Jurassic Coast and is just 12 miles southeast of Exeter. Its beautiful scenery, sandy beaches and water sports make it a popular spot with locals and visitors. There’s lots to see further along the Jurassic Coast too including the iconic Durdle Door and Old Harry Rocks.
Discover more about the history of this protected area at one of the many visitor centres and don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for fossils!
Devon is famous for its spectacular countryside and nothing encapsulates this better than the scenic hills of Dartmoor National Park. It is a landscape of stunning views, awe-inspiring granite tors, deep wooded valleys with fast flowing rivers, and rugged wide-open spaces. Perfect for walks, cycles or even a relaxing drive to find a small country pub.
Similarly, Exmoor National Park offers further stunning and diverse landscapes. Explore the woodlands and heather moorlands and look out for the wild red deer and iconic Exmoor ponies. With some of the darkest skies in the UK, Exmoor is also a great place for stargazing. Europe’s first Dark Sky Reserve, you can spot amazing astronomical sights on a cloudless night.
With award-winning sandy beaches and exotic palm trees, the English Riviera is a beautiful place for a day trip or staycation. A designated UNESCO Global Geopark, it is internationally recognised for its unique geological interest and is one of just eight geoparks in the UK and 140 in the world. Set around a large horseshoe-shaped bay, the English Riviera is sheltered by the hills of Dartmoor providing a warm microclimate.
Getting out on the water is what locals and visitors love to do here. There’s plenty of activities to choose from such as sailing, paddleboarding, sea swimming and kayaking. After a busy day on the water, try out the delicious local food including some of the UK’s finest seafood.
A short journey away from Exeter is the South Hams region, much of which is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You’ll find a range of activities here including canoeing, walking and sailing.
Take a day trip and explore the popular coastal spots of Dartmouth and Salcombe or venture to Totnes, a town full of character and charm. Heritage fans won’t want to miss Totnes Castle and The South Devon Railway.