A number of local tours, some free of charge, are being arranged with the Exeter Tourist Office, specifically for delegates from the EARLI Conference. These tours will offer you the opportunity of exploring the University, Exeter and its history to the full. To book a tour, you will need to give your name at the Conference Information Desk (or for the Killerton House tour and dinner, contact the National Trust booth in the Exhibition Hall). If required, payment will be taken, in cash, either at the start of the tour, or on booking. Bookings will be taken on a first come, first served basis.
The following tours are being arranged:
Exeter University Garden Tours – Tuesday and Thursday at 2pm; Wednesday and Friday at 5pm. Tour length: 1 ½ hours. Cost: £5 per person
| Take a stroll through the grounds of the University of Exeter and gain an insight into one of the most attractive campuses of any British University. An experienced guide will lead you through the botanical gardens, past lakes and woodland, with the chance to take in many of the rare species of plants and trees. Meeting point: Great Hall Foyer |
xeter University Cathedral Roof Tours - Tues 30th Aug and Thurs 1st Sep at 2pm. Tour length: 1 hr 15 mins.
Cost: £8.75 per person.
| After climbing a stone spiral staircase in the Cathedral, you will walk above the longest continuous medieval vault in the world, explore the lead workshop and finish on top of the North Tower which gives incredible views across the city. The cost includes entrance to the Cathedral should you wish to have a 'floor' tour as well. The tour is guided and you need to wear comfortable shoes, ready to climb hundreds of steps. Meeting Point: Cathedral Entrance Desk |
Red Coat Guided Tours – Tues 30 Aug through to Sat 3 Sep at 2pm. Tour length: 1 hour.
Cost: Free of charge
Red Coat Guided Tours are the perfect way to explore Exeter, one of the oldest cities of England. Experience glimpses of over 2,000 years of history in sixty minutes! Discover the city's sites of interest and hidden treasures. All tours are on foot and in English. You could continue this tour with a tour of Exeter’s Underground Passages! (see below).
Meeting Point: West Front of Cathedral
Underground Passages – Tues 30 Aug through to Sat 3 Sep at 2pm Tour length: 45 mins
Cost: Free of Charge
Exeter's Underground Passages were built to house the pipes that brought clean drinking water into medieval Exeter. A guided tour of Exeter's Underground Passages is a memorable event - narrow, dark, interesting and exciting. You can also visit the heritage centre before your guided tour, packed with interactive exhibits and interpretation.
Meeting Point: At entrance of Underground Passages, 2 Paris Street, Exeter
Ghost and Legend Tour (Red Coat) – Weds 31 Aug at 6.30pm Tour length: 1 ½ hours
Cost: Free of charge
Learn why Exeter is reputed to be one of the most haunted cities in the country and hear some of the chilling tales in its history, with a walk through Exeter’s macabre history.
River Exe Cruise – Wed 31st Aug and Fri 2nd Sep 2pm Cruise length: 1 ½ hours Cost: £5 per person (including tea or coffee).
| A delightful cruise with Stuart Lines from Exmouth Marina, on the always calm and sheltered waters of the River Exe Estuary. A full, entertaining commentary on the sights including Cockwood, Starcross and Powderham Castle is given throughout the cruise. You also have the chance to see the abundant wildlife and possibly the resident seals. To complete your cruise you will also see a wonderful panoramic view of Exmouth Seafront. It is easy to get to Exmouth Marina. Take a train from Exeter St Davids (£5 return trip) – they run every half hour and it takes half an hour to get there. Allow for at least 15 minutes for the walk from the Station to Stuart Line Cruises. Once you’ve enjoyed your cruise on the Exe, you can always finish off your trip with some top quality fish and chips at Capels, near the train station and a quick pint at the fantastic pub, the Powder Monkey. The last train for Exeter leaves at 12 midnight. |
Tour and Meal at Killerton House and Gardens - Wed 31 Aug. Meeting point: Great Hall Foyer 7pm to collect coach.
Cost: £18.95 (includes coach travel from the University to Killerton, entry and tour of the house, evening meal and return journey). Please note drinks will have to be purchased separately.
| A special tour of the house and gardens. Killerton, once home to the Acland family, has a warm, lived in feel, a house that everyone would like to live in. See the stunning costume exhibition or wander around the extensive gardens with its wonderful collection of rare and unusual trees. Followed by “The taste of Devon”, a two course meal made from specially selected local produce and served in the newly refurbished Killerton Kitchen.Pre-booking essential – email Killerton@nationaltrust.org.uk or phone +44 (0) 1392 881345 or tickets will be available at the National Trust exhibition stand in the Great Hall during the conference. Website: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-killerton. |
Do-it-yourself Tours!
There are various places of interest and ’do-it-yourself’tours around the University of Exeter:
University Bill Douglas Centre Museum for the History of Cinema and Popular Culture
Mon-Fri 10.00-17.00 Free of Charge
Go to 'The Old Library' Streatham http://www.exeter.ac.uk/bdc/whatisbdc.shtml
Britain's largest public collections of books, prints, artefacts and ephemera relating to the history and prehistory of cinema.
Unaccompanied Sculpture Tour around University of Exeter grounds
Anytime Free of Charge
Free to choose own route around the grounds. Virtual tour also available on link given here.
http://www.exeter.ac.uk/sculpture/entry.htm. Guidebook can be purchased from the University Supermarket @ £3.99 and or University shop in Exhibitors Hall. (Some sulptures may have been moved for current building works.)
University of Exeter iPod Sculpture Walk
Mon-Fri 9.00-16.00 Free of charge
IT Helpdesk at the main library on the Streatham Campus. Members of the public will need to bring a driving licence or passport http://www.exeter.ac.uk/fineart/sculpture-walk/sculpture-walk-ipod.shtml
24 sculptures around the University of Exeter are encompassed by a new iPod initiative that enables people to listen to expert commentary whilst looking at the sculptures on campus.
Self Guided tour of the university grounds.
Any time Free of charge
Have a look round the City Wall Trail, Woollen Trail and the Mediaeval Trail. Exeter City Website has pdf. documents providing historical details and directions - http://www.exeter.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=10059
