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EuropeUnited KingdomEngland

Exeter

England, United Kingdom · Europe

About Exeter

Exeter sits on the route: 10 minutes from Exminster, 32km from Dartmoor National Park.

Exeter is a city located in England, United Kingdom. With a population of 130,709, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Exeter sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Exeter to your route.

About Exeter

Exeter ( EK-sit-ər) is a cathedral city and the county town of Devon in South West England. It is situated on the River Exe, approximately 36 mi (58 km) northeast of Plymouth and 65 mi (105 km) southwest of Bristol. In Roman Britain, Exeter was established as the base of Legio II Augusta under the personal command of

Read more Vespasian. Exeter became a religious centre in the Middle Ages. Exeter Cathedral, founded in the mid 11th century, became Anglican in the 16th-century English Reformation. Exeter became an affluent centre for the wool trade, although by the First World War the city was in decline. After the Second World War, much of the city centre was rebuilt and is now a centre for education, business and tourism in South West England. It is home to two of the constituent campuses of the University of Exeter: Streatham and St Luke's. The administrative area of Exeter has the status of a non-metropolitan district under the administration of the County Council. It is the county town of Devon and home to the headquarters of Devon County Council. A plan to grant the city unitary authority status was scrapped by the 2010 coalition government, but it is currently making another bid for unitary status under local government reorganisation.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Exeter

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Exeter?

Exeter offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Exeter?

Plan your road trip to Exeter with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Exeter as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Exeter located?

Exeter is located in England, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 50.7236 latitude, -3.5275 longitude.

What is the population of Exeter?

Exeter has a population of approximately 130,709 people, making it a city in United Kingdom.

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Quick Information

Population
130,709
Continent
Europe
Country
United Kingdom
Region
England
Timezone
Europe/London
Coordinates
50.7236, -3.5275

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in United Kingdom

Police
999
Ambulance
999
Fire
999
Non-emergency police
101
Driving side
left

112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.

Full driving guide for United Kingdom

Tags

EuropeUnited KingdomEnglandCity

Worth the detour from Exeter

5 notable places within an hour's drive.

national park

Dartmoor National Park

Wild and ancient moorland dotted with granite tors, Bronze Age settlements and roaming Dartmoor ponies across 368 square miles of Devon.

32 km · about 35 min drive

natural wonder

Wistman's Wood

Stunted, moss-drowned oaks growing between granite boulders form one of Britain's last high-altitude temperate rainforests, long linked with Druid legend. A 20-minute walk from the Two Bridges car park on Dartmoor.

35 km · about 40 min drive

natural wonder

Jurassic Coast

UNESCO World Heritage coastline stretching 95 miles from Devon to Dorset, exposing 185 million years of geological history in its dramatic cliffs.

38 km · about 45 min drive

famous road

Porlock Hill

Britain's steepest A-road, where the A39 climbs out of Porlock onto Exmoor at gradients up to 1-in-4 with two severe hairpins. A scenic Victorian toll road offers a gentler coastal alternative.

54 km · about 60 min drive

landmark

National Marine Aquarium

The UK's largest aquarium in Plymouth dedicated to ocean conservation with Atlantic Ocean and deep reef exhibits.

59 km · about 70 min drive

Driving roads near Exeter

  • 54 kmPorlock HillBritain's steepest A-road, where the A39 climbs out of Porlock onto Exmoor at gradients up to 1-in-4 with two severe hairpins. A scenic Victorian toll road offers a gentler coastal alternative.
  • 72 kmAtlantic Highway (A39)Spectacular coastal road running through north Devon and Cornwall past dramatic cliffs, surfing beaches and picturesque harbour villages.
  • 77 kmHartland QuaySavage stretch of North Devon coast where contorted rock strata zigzag into the Atlantic, reached by a dead-end road down the cliffs to a 16th-century harbour site and pub. Shipwreck country with a small museum.

Driving in United Kingdom

Drives on
the left
Petrol
~€1.73/litre
Motorway tolls
None

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Exeter.

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence