Exeter & East Devon

Although the region is dominated by the historic cathedral city of Exeter, capital of the southwest, it incorporates secluded villages, sweeping river valleys, tree-lined hilltops and a not-to-be-missed seaside experience.

Exeter Cathedral - Photo: D. Johnston CCL

Orcombe Point Exmouth Photo: Mick Melvin CCL

Its entire Channel coastline, from Orcombe Point, near Exmouth, to the county’s border with Dorset, is part of the 95-mile 'Jurassic Coast', one of the UK's World Heritage sites.

Beautiful and awe-inspiring, its red sandstone cliffs have yielded many fossils and dinosaur remains.

Red Sandstone Orcombe Point
Photo: Kate Burhouse CCL

East Cliff Lyme Regis -
Photo: Malcolm Etherington CCL

Ladram and Sidmouth have important sites dating to the Triassic period while the area around Lyme Regis, on the Dorset border, was where the pioneer palaeontologist Mary Anning found the first remains of the giant flying reptile Ichthyosaurus.  

The resort of Sidmouth, for example, has almost 500 listed buildings as well as a fine, mile-long main beach and a second beach known as Jacob’s Ladder.

Sidmouth Photo: Humphrey Bolton CCL

Beer Exeter Photo: Peter Watkins CCL

Old fishing villages such as Beer lie in the sheltered coves that proved perfect hideaways for bands of old-fashioned smugglers; Beer Head soars to over 400 feet and has the most westerly chalk cliffs on the Channel coast.

The former Roman port of Exmouth was one of the first seaside resorts to be made popular in the late 18th century, playing host to luminaries like Lord Nelson and the Romantic poet Lord Byron.

Exmouth Photo: Andy Peacock CCL

Blackdown Hills Exeter Photo: Derek Harper CCL

Most of inland east Devon is so naturally beautiful it is divided into two areas of outstanding natural beauty, including the Blackdown Hills in the northeast. 

Tiverton boasts the remains of a 14th century castle and a 15th century church while the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) was born at picturesque Otter St Mary.














Historic Honiton was famous for lace-making and provided the material for Queen Victoria’s wedding veil.  

Tiverton Castle Exeter
Photo: Humphrey Bolton CCL

City Walls Exeter Photo: Derek Harper CCL

The city of Exeter was the creation of the Celtic Dumnonii tribe who called it Iscka.






The Romans made it their most westerly stronghold and surrounded it with a defensive wall.






Later the city was transformed by Alfred the Great and became one of the largest woolen towns in England, although much of it had to be rebuilt after bombing raids destroyed its ancient centre in the Second World War. 

One of the buildings that miraculously escaped severe damage was the Norman cathedral of St Peter, a 13th century Gothic masterpiece encircled by a diamond-shaped close. 







The cathedral has a vaulted ceiling with the longest unbroken span in the world and boasts some of the finest stained glass in England as well as a 60ft Bishop’s Throne.







Exeter's 14th century Guildhall is one of Britain’s oldest municipal buildings while its old Ship Inn is said to have been Sir Francis Drake’s favourite drinking place. 

Stained Glass Window Exeter
Photo: Neil Kennedy CCL

Underground Tunnels Exeter
Photo: Malcolm Etherington CCL

The city’s most remarkable tourist attraction is a series of underground passages built to bring water to the townspeople in the Middle Ages.


They’re open for guided tours – but not for those who suffer from a fear of enclosed spaces.


Other magnets for visitors include the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and the Benedictine priory of St Nicholas.


The latter dates to 1070 and has a 15th century kitchen and a Norman undercroft.


One of Exeter’s jewels is its quayside containing a host of restored 19th century maritime warehouses.


The nearby Custom House dates from 1680-81 and is Exeter’s oldest brick building.

East Devon’s strangest curio is a bizarre Gothic ‘folly’ named ‘A La Ronde’ that was built with 16 sides by wealthy cousins Jane and Mary Parminster in the 1790s.








Inspired by a Grand Tour of Europe, they may have based their idea on an Italian basilica.

A La Ronde Exeter Photo: Chris J Dixon CCL