Exeter's Historic QuaysideContact Us
Exeter's Historic Quayside is one of the most attractive areas of the city, popular with locals and visitors alike for its fascinating history, interesting architecture and lively pubs and restaurants.
It is also just a 10 minute walk, or short bus ride, from the city centre. The Quayside has been enhanced to provide a fascinating mix of historic and contemporary design. It is the ideal place to browse in antique shops, walk and cycle, take a relaxing boat trip or find something good to eat. There is an extensive programme of events on the River Exe, in the Transit Shed and Piazza Terracina, including dragon boat racing and art exhibitions. There is plenty to occupy families and children of all ages. To find out more about Exeter's Historic Quayside, download a copy of our Historic Quayside leaflet below.
ShoppingExeter's Historic Quayside is a great place for shopping. It has an eclectic mix of antiques and textiles, as well as clothing, home wares, and water sports equipment. It is the perfect place to pick up a special gift in small independent stores. Most of the craft workshops are located in historic cellars and bonded warehouses on the River Exe. Many of the wares are made on site. It is the perfect place to find something beautiful and unusual. Why not cross the river on Butts Ferry, one of only five floating bridges in the country, and visit the restaurants and galleries on Piazza Terracina and Haven Banks. There is a great view of the Historic Quayside and graceful Regency Colleton Crescent from this side of the river. Eating & drinking
Work up an appetite with a walk, canoe or cycle-ride around the quayside and stop for a breather at one of the historic riverside pubs, or treat yourself to a special dinner at one of the great restaurants on the Quayside. The Historic Quayside has a great mix of cuisine from home made Westcountry specialties to Italian, Latin American and of course the traditional Devonshire Cream Tea. Most cafes and restaurants use fresh local produce wherever possible. For Friday night cocktails, an al fresco summertime drink or in winter a cosy glass of wine by the fire, the Historic Quayside is hard to beat. Quay events
Events on the River Exe and at the Transit Shed and Piazza Terracina include:
For more information about these events and more please contact the Quay House Visitor Centre or Exeter Visitor Information & Tickets using the details on this page. Outdoor activitiesEnjoy the outdoor life and take to the water in a Canadian canoe or pedalo. For a more relaxing excursion why not try a canal cruise. Alternatively stick to dry land and hire a bicycle either for a few hours or the whole day. With no closed season, the river Exe and the canal are a paradise for anglers. Visitors will need a permit from the Civic Centre or contact the River and Canal Manager on 01392 274306. Cruises & canoeingTo experience the Historic Quayside from the water, why not take a boat trip along the River Exe and Ship Canal with Exeter Cruises. Take the 45 minute round trip, or stop for lunch and catch a later boat back. Cruises take place at weekends between Easter and October, and daily in July and August.
Hire a canoe or kayak from Saddles and Paddles and paddle along the calm waters of the Ship Canal. Single, double and family canoes are available, and basic instruction is provided. Pre-booking advisable. Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre is situated on the canal and offers a variety of outdoor and adventure courses suitable for children and adults of all ages and abilities.
Cycling & walking
The Exe Cycle Route runs for seven miles, and takes a flat, easy route along the River Exe and Ship Canal. Cycle through the Riverside Valley Park, Devon Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve, Exminster Marshes and RSPB Nature Reserve and look out for herons, kingfishers and dragonflies.
Quay House Visitor CentreThe Quay House was built in 1680-1 at the height of Exeter's woollen cloth industry. The building was used to store cloth and other goods before being loaded and transported down the canal. The Quay House had a convenient overhanging roof, which enabled cargos to load and unload out of the rain. Today the history and development of Exeter's Quayside is brought to life with lively displays, illustrations and artefacts. There is also the opportunity to view "Exeter - 2000 years of history," an exciting audio-visual presentation highlighting Exeter's history from Roman times to the present day. The Quay House provides tourist information, Quayside treasure hunts, an accommodation booking service and gift shop selling local pottery, replica maps and a wide range of local interest books. Opening times
Admission: Free Exeter Quay and Ship CanalThere has been a quay in Exeter since Roman times. However, by the 14th century boats could not get up the river to unload, because of weirs built across the river, so in the 1560s John Trew built a canal to provide access to the Quayside.
By the 19th century, the woollen trade had seriously declined. However other goods were still traded, new warehouses were built, the canal basin was constructed and the canal was deepened and widened. Finally the arrival of the railway in the 1840s spelled the end for the canal trade as this was a much more efficient way of transporting goods. Today the Quayside embraces its industrial heritage whilst providing a vibrant and modern area to shop, eat, relax and play. Up-river are the medieval ruins of the original Exe Bridge - an 18 arched structure built to provide a safe river crossing for traders and citizens. Down-river you will find Trew's Weir and the Suspension Bridge, Belle Isle Park, the Double Locks Pub and Turf Locks Hotel. On the Exe estuary is the port of Topsham with its Dutch Houses, waterfront and museum. ParkingCathedral and Quay Car Park has over 400 spaces. This award winning car park is just a two minute walk from the Quayside and also provides excellent access to the Cathedral and main shopping centre. There is a lift for wheelchairs and push chairs. Haven Banks Car Parks on the south side of the river offers economical parking with 300 spaces including some for coaches. By busG Bus from the High Street to the Historic Quayside runs hourly between 10.15am and 3.15pm. The return service runs hourly between 10.30am and 3.30pm. The Matford Park and Ride service between South Street and Haven Road runs every 10-12 minutes between 8am and 6pm, Mon - Sat. For more details visit the Park and ride page. |
||
Skip Navigation
Go to main navigation
_(C)_Dominic_Lowther.jpg "Exeter's Historic Quayside (c) Dominic Lowther")
