Devon Tourism -Discover Exeter

With a touch of buzzy, big city atmosphere and a thriving arts scene, Exeter is one of the liveliest cities in the southwest. The city's long heritage means there are plenty of monuments and historical attractions to occupy at least a day's sightseeing, and the excellent selection of bars, cafes and restaurants make Exeter a vibrant place to be after dark.

With Exeter, it's simplest to start at St Peter's Cathedral. There you can take in the splendour of a cathedral, which still features two massive Norman towers that were part of the original building when it was consecrated in 1133.

After soaking up the relaxing atmosphere on Cathedral Green and admiring some of the finest medieval sculptures in England, only then need you wander off down the side streets to explore everything else on offer.

The Historic Quayside is a ten-minute stroll from the cathedral and is the ideal place to try an irresistible Devon cream tea. Whilst there visit the Quay House Visitor Centre — it covers 2,000 years of Exeter's history in just 12 minutes! Whatever floats your boat — rafting, hiring a pedalo, canoeing, cycling or walking, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the natural beauty of England's oldest pound lock canal.

What next? Well, you could cast your eyes around 21 The Mint, one of Devon's oldest dwellings that was once a Benedictine priory, or pay a visit to the University's Streatham campus, home to rare plants and sculptures. For culture vultures, there are new plays to catch at the Northcott Theatre or the latest in contemporary art at Exeter Phoenix and Spacex.

A visit to Exeter would not be complete without exploring the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery. Home to 16 galleries of lively displays and exhibitions of national and international importance, the museum runs an extensive programme of national touring exhibitions, talks, workshops and activities.

Free Red Coat Guided Tours of the city operate daily. Tours take in everything from Ghosts and Legends to exploring Exeter's catacomb by torchlight! Alternatively there are self-guided heritage trails of the city — leaflets available from Exeter's Tourist Information Centre.

If shopping is your passion, there are 700 shops to choose from, of which 350 are independent stores. Browse for antiques and crafts on Exeter's Historic Quayside, stock up on local delicacies at the weekly farmers market or pick up some local art at one of the city's many galleries.

Beyond the city boundaries lies one final temptation, the sheer volume of natural beauty that surrounds it. On one side, the breathtaking Jurassic Coast, on the other, the vast mystical moors of Dartmoor National Park. All just waiting to be explored