A guide to some quirky things to do, visit and eat and drink in Exeter, Devon

Exeter is one of Devon’s most populated cities and it’s packed full of fantastic independent shops,interesting places to eat and stay as well as some more quirky things to do. Exeter is a place I have spent years perusing shops, sipping cocktails in and more importantly dancing away my formative years, that I feel well qualified to steer you in the right direction whether you are visiting Exeter for the day and looking for some quirky things to do, or maybe you are a newcomer to Exeter and want to find out some of the spots where the locals go.

First up, pay a visit to Gandy street. Thought to be part of the inspiration for Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley, navigate along this cobbled street to find quirky independent shops and some unusual tucked away bars, on the way to Gandy street from the train station, be sure to pop into the Royal Albert memorial museum and pay a visit to their locally famous taxidermy animal collection that includes the unoffical mascot of the museum, Gerrard the Giraffe.

Cathedral Green is where anyone who is well… anyone, hangs out. Overlooked by the stunning Cathedral and surrounded by some of the most prestigious shops and restaurants, Cathedral green is the place to relax in one of the many restaurants or cafes or to simply get a take out and enjoy feeling the grass under your toes for a sunny lunch break. For a quick pick me up, I recommend visiting Cake or death on Bartholomew street for their deliciously enticing brownie treats, that also happen to be completely vegan or perhaps sit down for an Aperol Spritz in the newly opened No 5 cathedral view which , perhaps unsurprisingly, boasts stunning views of the Cathedral itself. If you are one for supernatural tales, the Cathedral Green area and its surrounding shops is the backdrop for many local ghost stories… spooky!

Even If you have you been living in Exeter for a while, you have probably walked past Parliament street without ever noticing! Linking high street and waterbeer street, Parliament street is said to be the narrowest street in the world measuring just 0.64 metres at its narrowest. And yes you can walk down there!

Sometimes I write about hostels, sometimes hotels and Villas, but one thing I always insist on is staying somewhere a little ‘boujee’ and just a little bit different. This is why I always recommend my friends and family visiting Exeter to stay at this little gem. It’s close enough to the centre of the city without being noisy and wild but close enough to be in the proverbial mixer. After being recently refurbished into the boutique hotel it is now, the Citygate Exeter is perfect for those visiting Exeter. The Hotel itself is steeped in history and benefits from a superb menu and buzzing bar. You will always find the most interesting people pottering around this hotel and propping up the bar, which is why it’s always been one of my favorites!

Feeling peckish and looking for a quirky place to Eat in Exeter? then check out Cosy club in the Southernhay area of the city, due to its location, here you will find young professionals kicking back and enjoying brunch and a cocktail or two amongst the taxidermy animal heads and retro uniformed staff. The Cosy club was formally Dean Clarke Hospital’s Halford Wing and diners must enter the bar area through what was once the chapel entrance, leading through to a quirkily furnished dining area with gloriously high ceilings.

If you are looking for something a little more peaceful and maybe even more interesting, definitely check out Hotel Du vin, and its stunning interior for a hearty glass of Malbec in the former eye hospital, also located in the Southernhay area. As well as a relaxed bar area, this chic boutique hotel also boasts a luxury spa, fine dining and some wonderful package stays, so could well be a contender if you are whisking away someone special to spend a lazy weekend in Exeter.

Take a stroll slightly out of town to find what is known locally as ‘The House that moved’. A 14th century Tudor building that has housed antique dealers through to a wedding dress shop and is known as the house that moved because in 1961 was moved over 70m to make way for the new road being built.

The area towards the Quay is one of my favourite areas of Exeter (probably because it’s full of great eateries and bars). Stroll along the Quay and you will find a whole host of fabulous places to eat and drink, One of my favourites has to be Dr Inks curiosities, not only can you not help but feel super cool stepping into this neat little hideaway, the cocktails are divine and dare I say it… pretty wild!

Head to ‘On the waterfront’ for a giant pizza either outside,where you can watch the world go by, or inside it’s 19th century warehouse that On the waterfront calls home.

There are a tremendous amount of quirky things to do in Exeter and I hope this Exeter guide has given you some pointers on where to head and what to do if you are looking for some of the more unusual things to do in Exeter. But what have I missed?! Let me know in the comments if you think I have missed any hidden gems that need to be included in my little guide of ‘Quirky things to do in Exeter’.

Gifts for travel lovers

A selection of gifts for travel lovers you can’t miss

Travelling itself is a gift but if you are looking for gifts for travel lovers then it can sometimes be hard to know where to start to find that perfect gift. A great place to start your search is Etsy. You can choose from thousands of unique and often personalised products from sellers all over the world, ensuring you find that special gift for the travel lover in your life, whether they have completed their trip or are just getting their trip underway!I am a seasoned Etsy buyer so I have decided to bundle up these gift ideas up so you can find some great bits depending on who you are looking for and what their travel plans are.

*Some of these links include affiliate links where I may receive a small commission if you purchase at no extra cost to yourself.

There are so many great gifts for travel lovers that can be found on Etsy. Etsy is a real hidden gem when it comes to gorgeous and unusual gifts for travel lovers and i hope you find something fab you and your recipient will love!

Unique travel accessories for you trip

Unique travel accessories for your trip you will be asked about time and time again

On the hunt for some seriously unique travel accessories then I’ve got you covered. On your travels you might find yourself coming up against all sorts of eventualities from bad WiFi, luggage malfunctions or even simply missing something simple like your favourite hair product. I’ve put aside ten unique travel accessories that will help you on your travels or be the perfect gift for the travel lover in your life.

*some of these links are affiliate links, meaning should you purchase I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to yourself.

Luggage with a drinks holder and Usb charging port
Wine dispenser handbag
Waterless Toothbrushes
Removable Iphone lens kit
Wee on the go!
Water bottle with water filter straw
Portable travel scales
Bluetooth sleep mask
Flip flops with beer bottle opener
Silicone travel bottles

Unique travel accessories can be tricky to find so I hope this list of some of my most unique travel finds has been helpful whether you are looking for something unique for yourself or loved one. I love to travel and find a whole host of interesting places to see, things to do, eat and stay. If you think I have missed anything or you have found a unique travel accessory of your own then please leave a comment below so i can check it out and add your find to the list!