Living in Exeter

Exeter is known for its friendly, community-driven feel, blending youthful vibrancy with traditional West Country warmth. The city supports a busy calendar of events, from the centuries-old Exeter Christmas Market to annual food festivals, arts fairs, and street performances on Cathedral Green.

Local markets, such as the weekly Exeter Farmers’ Market, bring regional produce to the city centre. Community and leisure centres provide a focus for local activities, and neighbourhood groups help foster connections between residents. Outdoor enthusiasts are well catered for, with walks along the River Exe, cycling on the Exe Estuary Trail, and moments of tranquillity in Northernhay and Rougemont Gardens. The West Quarter and St Thomas districts offer a greater sense of independent, local identity as well.

Exeter is generally perceived as a safe and welcoming city, with lower crime rates compared to larger urban centres. The city centre is well-patrolled by Devon & Cornwall Police and benefits from active neighbourhood policing teams and CCTV monitoring.

Student areas and the quayside can see higher activity during evenings, particularly at weekends, but serious crime is relatively rare. Ongoing city regeneration efforts have contributed to well-lit public areas and responsive emergency services. Community outreach initiatives, such as ‘Safe Exeter’ and local Neighbourhood Watch schemes, help maintain a reassuring atmosphere for residents and visitors.

Parking in Exeter is generally well managed, with a range of city centre car parks, park and ride services, and residential permit schemes in operation. On-street parking is available, though controlled in the busiest areas, with options to suit visitors, commuters, and residents. Park and ride facilities on the edge of the city are popular for avoiding central congestion.

The M5 motorway sits just to the east, giving convenient reach to London and the Midlands, while the A30 runs southwest towards Cornwall and A38 to Plymouth. Traffic congestion can peak during rush hours and summer tourist periods, particularly on approach roads and at key junctions.

• Taunton – approx. 35 minutes via M5 (31 miles)
• Tiverton – approx. 25 minutes via M5/A361 (16 miles)
• Torquay – approx. 40 minutes via A380 (22 miles)
• Plymouth – approx. 55 minutes via A38 (45 miles)

Exeter’s food and drink scene is both lively and diverse. The city is home to a collection of traditional pubs, stylish cocktail bars, and long-standing favourites like The Old Firehouse or The Prospect Inn on the quayside. Restaurants range from award-winning independent bistros to popular chain options, with cuisines spanning everything from classic British to Thai, Italian, and vegan-specialty dining. Coffee shops, bakeries, and unique cafés punctuate the city’s lanes, many with local or organic credentials.

Nights out in Exeter cater to a broad audience, with venues like the Exeter Phoenix hosting gigs, comedy nights, and theatre events. The city centre is peppered with late-night bars, and clubs cluster around Fore Street and Gandy Street. For more relaxed evenings, the City Gate and Cosy Club offer comfort and local ales in convivial settings, while the quayside and Magdalen Road are hubs for foodies looking for something unique.

School quality: Exeter is well served by a selection of highly regarded state and independent schools, many with Ofsted Good or Outstanding status, supporting families of all backgrounds.

Parks and green spaces: The city offers ample outdoor play opportunities, with Heavitree Park, Exeter Quay, and nearby Haldon Forest Park being especially popular with children and young families.

Childcare: Many nurseries and pre-schools operate in Exeter, with both private and community-run options. Out-of-school clubs and holiday schemes are widely available.

Safety: Residents benefit from a generally low crime rate and visible policing, contributing to Exeter’s reputation as a secure environment to raise children.

Family activities: Exeter hosts regular family-oriented festivals, leisure centres, soft play centres, libraries, and sports facilities. Family walks and cycling near the river or in parkland are favourite local activities as well.

Exeter is a highly pet-friendly city, with many parks, green spaces, and riverside trails ideal for dog walking and outdoor adventure. Heavitree Park, Belmont Park, and the extensive River Exe paths provide safe, scenic routes for daily walks, while nearby Haldon Forest offers dog-friendly woodland and open countryside a short drive away.

Local vets and pet shops are conveniently located throughout the city, and several pubs and cafés, particularly in the quayside and West Quarter, welcome dogs and their owners. Rental properties may vary in their attitude to pets, but many landlords accommodate well-behaved animals, especially in family homes and more suburban areas.

Exeter benefits from a comprehensive transport network, supporting both local travel and broader regional access. The city’s main railway stations, Exeter St Davids and Exeter Central, offer regular services to London Paddington, Bristol, Birmingham, and Cornwall. Exeter St Thomas and Pinhoe stations also serve suburban areas.

Bus connectivity is strong, with Stagecoach South West running frequent local and regional routes. The city is close to junctions on the M5 motorway, connecting to cities across the South West and the Midlands.

• London – around 2 hours 15 minutes by direct train
• Bristol – around 1 hour by train or car via M5
• Plymouth – approximately 1 hour by train or car via A38
• Exeter Airport – about 15 minutes by car from city centre, flights to UK and European destinations

Cycle routes link suburbs, the university, and commercial areas, and the city promotes sustainable travel with safe walking links throughout. The river and canal paths offer alternative commuting options for cyclists and pedestrians alike.

Exeter offers a wide variety of educational options, serving families across the city and surrounding region. The city is known for both state and independent schools, as well as further and higher education institutions of repute.

Primary Schools in Exeter
The top state primary schools include St Leonard's Primary School (Ofsted Outstanding, 2014), Exeter Cathedral School (independent, co-educational), and Montgomery Primary School (Ofsted Good, 2017). St Sidwell’s Church of England Primary is also popular for its community ethos.

Secondary Schools in Exeter
Notable secondary schools are The King's School (Ofsted Outstanding, 2011), Exeter School (independent), St Peter's Church of England Aided School (Ofsted Good, 2021), and Isca Academy (Ofsted Good, 2016). Several offer strong sixth form provision.

Colleges and Sixth Forms
Exeter College is widely recognised for its outstanding academic and vocational courses, and was named Ofsted Outstanding in 2014. It supports a large sixth form, as well as adult and apprenticeship courses.

Universities
The University of Exeter is a Russell Group university, consistently ranked amongst the UK’s top 15. It is renowned for research, medicine, sciences, humanities, and offers vibrant student life. Its attractive Streatham Campus is set amidst parkland, contributing to Exeter’s youthful energy and cultural scene.