Get the real ‘inside info’ from those who live in and around Exeter............... for a more personal insight, find out where University of Exeter Staff involved in EARLI 2011 like to go when not busy at work! Nothing like a bit of local knowledge....
Tamara’sfavourite haunts in and around Exeter. Favorite Pub: The Jack in the Green, on the old A30 on the Rockbeare Straight for a special meal. Quite expensive but good food and they use local suppliers. Try “Totally Devon meal experience” a three course meal for just £25.00, selected from the A la Carte menu, good value. Voted 52nd in UK’s top 100 restaurants (2010). Special to us because it is our local area and also because part of the restaurant used to be my husband’s grandmother’s home! Tel: +44 (0) 1404 822240 info@jackinthegreen.uk.com Bay Leaf Indian Restaurant, Magdalen Street, Exeter EX2 4HZ, Tel +44 (0) 1392 424244 or +44 (0) 1392 435660 : My new favourite! Super food, cooked fresh in wonderful, comfortable surroundings. They do weekend buffet lunches at a very reasonable price. Favourite Activity: Clifton Hill Driving Range Clifton Hill, Exeter, EX1 2DJ +44 (0) 1392 493196. Just 5 minutes walk from the city centre. 18 bay floodlit golf range. A Good Evening Out: Always on the look out for a good bargain, Tamara suggests you explore the following offers..... Download free meal vouchers or £1 for second meal at http://www.prezzorestaurants.co.uk/offers/ for Prezzo, High Street, Exeter Tel: +44 (0)1392 477739 which is located next to the historic Guildhall. Other offers for restaurants can be downloaded at http://www.vouchercodes.co.uk/restaurant-vouchers.html |
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| Karan’sfavourite haunts in and around Exeter Favourite Pubs: Two central pubs with a good atmosphere and good pub food ........ Old Timers Wine Bar and Restaurant, Little Castle St, Exeter EX4 3PX +44 (0) 1392 477 704 http://www.eatoutdevon.com/restaurants/exeter/old-timers-wine-bar-restaurant.html or ............... White Hart, 66 South Street, Exeter EX1 1EE Favourite Activity: Have a walk, go for a cycle or even hire a canoe alongside Exeter Quay and Canal. A Good Night Out: If you’re into movies, the Exeter Picturehouse has a great bar for before and after the film, new very comfy seating in the cinema with reclining seats and some double seats for cosy viewing! It shows mainstream blockbusters as well as independent, art-house and foreign language films. House Cinema, 51 Bartholomew Street West, Exeter EX4 3AJ |
Sandy’sfavourite haunts in and around Exeter Favourite Pub: The Puffing Billy (Exton) – a bistro pub selling wonderful food in beautiful surroundings on the outskirts of Exeter (approximately 15 minutes away and located on the East side of the Exe Estuary). Great for getting out of the city...but easily to access by public transport. The pub can easily be reached by train from the Exeter Central train station on Queen Street. You will need to get the train going towards Exmouth. The pub itself is in Exton. From the station in Exton the pub is only a short five minute walk it is well sign-posted. It is often advisable to ring and book a table in advance (call +44 (0)1392 877888 or email: enquiries@thepuffingbilly.co.uk). Favourite Activity: One of my favourite activities is to walk or cycle along the towpaths of the canal leading to the exe estuary (or even take a ferry) to the Turf Locks pub based in Exminster. It is one of only a few pubs that cannot be reached by car. Bicycles can be hired from the quay (from a company called Saddles and Paddles’) in Exeter Quay side should you wish to cycle along this route. You can also walk or take a ferry from the quay. Alternatively you can travel to the small town of Topsham (using the ‘T’ bus or by catching the Exmouth train from Central Train station) and then you can take the ferry from the harbour across to the pub (the ferry leaves from just behind the Lighter Inn – which is on the quayside and next to the final bus stop on the ‘T’ bus route in Topsham). In the summer the pub usually has a barbecue running outside all day, where customers can buy burgers, salads, hot dogs and other grilled foods. The Turf Locks also serve a good breakfast for those of you who like to get going early on in the morning! You will also find a good range of local beers, ciders, wines and ales on sale. Best Trip Via Public Transport: If you have time to get out of Exeter and to visit some of the surrounding towns and cities then I would suggest a short trip to Cornwall. There are a number of towns and cities that you can visit in Cornwall, many of which can be easily reached by train. One of my favourite places to visit is St Ives. It is a slightly longer train journey (approximately 3 and a half hours) but the walks along the sea front and across the bay, the shopping in the local boutiques, the Tate art gallery, the beautiful beaches and the local fish and chips are well worth the effort. Trains run to St Ives on a daily basis, though a direct train is not always possible from Exeter. See: www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk for further information on train times. You would be advised to take the train from Exeter St David’s station. See this website for more information about St Ives: http://www.stives-cornwall.co.uk/ Cultural Experiences: One of Exeter’s most famous cultural experiences involves a visit to the underground passages. Visitors to Exeter can book a tour of these old Medieval passageways that run the length of the city. The passages are apparently a ‘unique monument’, given that visitors can not explore any similar system in the UK. The original purpose of the passages was to bring clean drinking water into the city, but the guides who take you down into this dark, underground experience will tell you many more tales about how they have been creatively used in the years since. The passages are usually open from 9.30am-5.30pm, although you will have to book a tour (this is probably best done through the local tourist information centre). The best thing about the passages is that they are located in the city centre – with the entrance being located in close proximity to the new Princesshay shopping centre. A visit to the underground passages won’t take all day (usually no more than hour) but the experience will give you some insight into the history of Exeter. If you have some time left afterwards why not head to the Cathedral Green for a cream tea to finish off your afternoon/morning of sightseeing? This traditional tea of scones, jam and clotted cream is served in a number of the cafes in this area. For a range of different teas try the ‘Tea on the Green’ cafe, or for a more decadent champagne tea, try the ‘Royal Clarence’ hotel and take the tea in their Moet champagne bar. A good Evening Out: One of my favourite evening outings is to the Pebblebed wine cellar in Topsham. Pebblebed is a local wine company producing wines in vineyards around the Ebford area. The Pebblebed wine cellar is located in the small town of Topsham and can easily be reached by public transport (the ‘T’ bus or using the Exmouth train from Central Station in Queen Street). Pebblebed is relatively well-known in the UK due to the fact that the company’s owner appeared on a national television programme (Dragon’s Den) to ask for some business investment. The company was successful in this venture, and some money was given by one of the ‘Dragon’ millionaires to develop the wine cellar in Topsham (see a clip from the programme on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCW9QEmWulU&feature=related). The wine cellar usually offers a particularly good ‘tapas and tasting’ deal – where customers can pay £10 for wine tasting and a selection of local tapas (breads, cheese, fish, meats etc). The wines usually include one fizzy white wine, two rose wines and one white wine. A good way to get out of the city and to sample some local produce. |
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Lindsay’sfavourite haunts in and around Exeter Favourite Activities: The walk from Budleigh Salterton to Ladram Bay and back. It is sooooo beautiful (and pretty flat so you’ve plenty of energy to enjoy the views). Take the bus or park at the main car park in Budleigh (you will need a few £ change for the bus or for parking). Walk through the nature reserve, over the bridge over the river and turn right back towards the coast, then follow the path to Ladram. At Ladram, walk through the caravan park and go right towards to bay and you can get a nice cup of tea and a butty from the kiosk before heading back to Budleigh. To finish the walk in style, head to Otterton Mill for an indulgent cream tea. Fossil hunting at Charmouth or Lyme Regis. Head to the world-famous Jurassic Coast World Heritage site and hunt for some ammonites, belemnites, crinoids or even an ichthyosaur bone or two! Fossils are most likely to be found after a high sea or a storm, but even if you don’t find anything it is still a lovely day. Take the bus to Lyme Regis (or on to the Charmouth visitor centre) and head right past the sea defences and down the cliffs towards the ‘ammonite graveyard’. There are plenty of lovely little shops and a small museum where you can find out about the geology and heritage of the Jurassic Coast. Cultural Experiences: I like the Phoenix Arts Centre in Exeter for a good coffee. There will probably be some interesting art work to check out and usually a gig or two to go to – music of all kinds or comedy. | |
Olwen’sfavourite haunts in and around Exeter Favourite Pub: The Lamb Inn, Sandford. Visit a really traditional Devon pub (winner of Community Pub of the Year 2010). Open from 9.00-midnight, it’s a 16th century former coaching house with open fires, low ceilings, comfy sofas, and locally sourced food. Best trip via public transport: Secret Topsham & Growling Bean Marsh Bird Sanctuary. Investigate this historic little ancient port, walk along the wide open spaces of the estuary and get a flavour of the Devon countryside. You might even be able to finish with a Devon cream tea! This walk takes about one hour. Trains about every half hour from Exeter Central to Topsham – a 13 minute journey. A Good Evening Out: Scare yourself! Learn why Exeter is reputed to be one of England’s most haunted cities. See many of Exeter's historic buildings and listen to chilling tales about their ghostly residents. Go on one of the FREE Redcoat Guided Tours: 7.00 p.m. Tuesday & Thursday. Meet outside the Abode Royal Clarence Hotel in Cathedral Yard. Circular evening tour. | |
| Sue Chedzoy’sfavourite haunts in and around Exeter Favourite Pubs: There are several good pubs in Topsham – all you need to do is catch the No 57 bus from the bus station. The journey takes about 15 minutes and the last bus back to Exeter leaves at 11.10pm. The Passage is a friendly pub and restaurant by Exe, encouraging both drinkers and diners, street and riverside patio seating too. Real ales straight from the barrel: Otter, London Pride, etc. Varied English/ Continental menu, local fish a speciality. The Globe is a very nice traditional coaching inn. CAMRA recommended (Doom Bar, Otter Amber, Tribute, guest beers). Restaurant and table snacks. Folk Club on Sundays, check website for other musical events. Open to midnight Fri/Sat. globehotel.com The Bridge Inn - Marvellously folksy ancient pub by Clyst River. CAMRA-recommended free Drakes Wine and Ale House is very popular, friendly (and often very crowded) 'mixers' Best Trip via Public Transport: Travel to Totnes by train or by X64 bus. Relax on a boat trip down the River Dart to Dartmouth. On the 12 mile journey you will pass attractive riverside villages and Greenway, the former home of Agatha Christie. You can return to Totnes by boat, bus or try the ‘Round Robin’ trip that includes a steam train to Paignton and bus to Totnes. |
Nichola’sfavourite haunts in and around Exeter Favourite Pub: One of my favourite pubs is the Turf Locks, family run, with a warm, friendly atmosphere. Serving great food, local ales and fine wine - it has a huge beer garden bordered by the Exe Estuary on one side and Turf Locks on the other and is the perfect place to spend a summers afternoon. The food is all locally sourced and it has a great bbq! The fun part is getting there – take a ferry from Topsham across the Exe Estuary and take in the river views and the wildlife. A great outing! Favourite Activity: The Exeter Picture House is a cinema with a difference, often showing independent and art-house movies as well as mainstream blockbusters. It has a lovely bar upstairs, where you can meet up with friends or stay after the film and have a chat. You can even take your glass of wine (or whatever you may be drinking) into the movie with you. A Good Night Out: Just love Mama Stone’s for an good night out. Check what live music is playing, and go along, have a few drinks and a choice of Mexican dishes from the menu. The music generally covers soul, rock or funk and their own House Band never disappoints. |
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