Exeter Student City Guide
Exeter is culturally varied and the diverse mix of eateries is ideal for food-lovers!
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you may know that JK Rowling studied at Exeter University and throughout the city you will notice traces of inspiration that she used to write her novels.
Get social
As well as our top pick The Old Firehouse, the city has plenty of options to hang out with friends, study or have dinner with your besties:
Restaurants
The Flat
The Flat is a completely planet-friendly vegetarian and vegan restaurant. Their pizzas are hand-stretched as you order them, and they use fresh, organic ingredients.
Margoux
Margoux is billed as a restaurant with ‘first class taste’ and seeks to bring a relaxed yet stylish dining option to Exeter. Their menu consists of British classics with a modern twist.
Mill on the Exe
Mill on the Exe is a modern pub with chic and rustic interiors, also with outdoor seating available overlooking the waterside gardens. They serve traditional pub food with a modern take.Cafes
Glorious Art House
Glorious Art House is the most instagrammable café in the city. Not only are their interiors stunning, but they also make delicious waffles and cakes. Don’t forget to get that selfie!
Artigiano
Artigiano is a very big café, perfect as a place to study or work. It is also the perfect place to enjoy a traditional British breakfast or a tasty lunch.
The Exploding Bakery
The Exploding Bakery is a paradise for the sweet lovers! They make pastries and cakes, served with a delicious cup of coffee.Bars
The Hourglass
The Hourglass is an old traditional pub serving local real ale and food cooked to order.
The Prospect Inn
The Prospect Inn is the perfect pub to have a pint by the river. They serve high-quality food which is simple and sourced from the local area.
The Oddfellows Bar
The Oddfellows Bar has a carefully selected list of craft ales making it one of the most highly regarded pubs in the city. Here you’ll also have the chance to experience one of their events, including comedy nights and pop-up kitchens.Be Entertained
In addition to our top pick, the Vue, Exeter has loads of entertainment options. The most popular with students include:
Fever Exeter
Fever Exeter which offer two indoor rooms with booths to reserve, and a roof terrace too!
Tenpin
Tenpin is for bowling lovers! This fantastic venue has 22 bowling lanes, arcade machines, and pool tables for you to enjoy.
Locked in a Room
Locked in a Room is not for the weak of heart! This venue has a selection of themed escape rooms; the aim of the game is to get locked in the room, and then solve a series of puzzles and games to find the key to escape. Give it a try, if you dare!Go Shopping
Exerer’s shopping-scene can’t be missed, especially if you’re student!
High Street
High Street is one of the main city streets and is filled with all your favourite shops.
Guidhall’s Shopping Centre
Guidhall’s Shopping Centre is a modern centre with a stunning architecture. In this shopping centre, you can find all the well-known brands.
Fore Street
Fore Street is another well-known shopping destination full of quirky and unusual shops.Go Exploring
Thanks to its rich history, Exeter has plenty of attractions to visit, and most of them are free!
Exeter Cathedral
Exeter Cathedral is one of the great cathedrals in England. With over 900 years of history. It is a stunning example of Gothic architecture in the UK.
The Quay
The Quay has it all, from fancy dining venues to water sports. Here there are cafes alongside the river where you can grab a cup of coffee with your family or friends, as well as boutique shops to browse.
Bill Douglas Cinema Museum
Bill Douglas Cinema Museum is a public museum and an academic research facility which houses one of Britain’s largest public collections of books, prints, artefacts, and ephemera relating to the history and prehistory of cinema.Get outdoors
Exeter has big green spaces to walk around when the city life feels too chaotic.
Northernhay Gardens
Northernhay Gardens are the oldest public gardens in England, with many statues figuring Victorian figures.
Belmont Park
Belmont Park was one of the first of the late Victorian parks in Exeter to be opened. In this park there is a basketball court and a bowling green, as well as big green spaces where to practice some sports.
Bury Meadow
Bury Meadow is a hidden gem in the heart of the city. Situated just a few metres away from the busy streets, it is an oasis of quiet with benches to have a chat, and open spaces to play frisbee.Earn money
Even though Exeter is not as expensive as some other major cities in the UK, you might still consider getting a job or having a side hustle. Many students find a job within the university as student ambassadors or university application mentors: apart from gaining some relevant skills such as learning how to handle groups, working under pressure, and managing other students, you’ll gain some extra money that’ll help you to better enjoy your university experience.
Need a side-hustle with maximum flexibility? You could try part-time tutoring or becoming a web writer. Since the pandemic, opportunities to work remotely are now plentiful; the content creation and writing industry are always looking for people for just a few hours per week. According to The Balance (2022), the best platforms to find a job are Indeed (overall) and LinkedIn (best for connecting directly with recruiters). You can also check out StudentJob specifically for jobs suitable for students.
