Student-Favourite Places Around Exeter

By Dimitri Georgiev

Bonding with your friends and flat/housemates doesn’t have to revolve around drinking or going out at night. While these are fun especially during Fresher’s Week, it's unhealthy to constantly rely on them as the only ways in which you can spend time with new people. Some people do not enjoy drinking or going out at all and may struggle to bond with others if they don’t partake in such activities.

Fortunately, there are many places around Exeter that are loved by many students that offer a different kind of experience! We have compiled a list of student-favourite spots around the city where you can spend a more chill day out bonding with friends, or even by yourself for a moment of peace. Hopefully they can provide you with a space where you can take a more relaxing break from the more intensive activities that student life has to offer.

Cafes and Restaurants:

• Glorious Art House (colourful decor, massive hot chocolates and tasty homemade foods)

• Boston Tea Party (great place to study)

• Grow Coffee House (cosy place, food sourced from local suppliers)

• EXE Coffee Roasters (great coffee and food)

• iFood Thai Taste (small Thai place with incredibly tasty food, slightly higher than average price point)

• Red Panda (good Thai food, cheap)

• On the Waterfront (locally sourced food)

• The Old Firehouse (amazing pizzas)

• Bill’s (great selection of meals)

• Sacred Grounds (vegan cafe)

• The Flat (a nice vegetarian and vegan place to eat)

• Chandos Deli (great sandwiches and other meals here)

Shops:

• Gandy Street (a narrow street full of interesting shops and eateries; inspired Diagon Alley from Harry Potter)

• The Real McCoy Vintage Shop (fantastic selection of vintage clothes)

• Zero Exeter (a zero-waste shop focused on offering eco products)

• Hutch Plant Shop (an independent houseplant shop in the city centre, speciliases in unusual but relatively affordable houseplants)

• Exeter Craft Hub (a nice little craft shop)

Fun Activities:

• Red House Mysteries Escape Room (a very fun activity to do with friends or flatmates for a couple of hours)

• Board (a board-game bar and restaurant where you can choose from a selection of games to play with your friends while you eat)

Chill Places:

• Cathedral Green (a relaxing bit of meadow on the cathedral site)

• The Quayside (a stretch of shops and cafes along the River Exe, perfect for a walk)

• Stoke Woods (400 year old forest, 30 mins walk away from uni campus)

• Exmouth Beach (only 40 min train ride away)

• Darts Farm (found in Topsham, a short train/bus journey away, offers lots of local craft items and food)