Throughout the summer there is a regular programme of waterside events held around the Historic Quayside. This is the ideal location to enjoy open air concerts, markets, charity events, heritage walks and cycle rides. Events on the River Exe, at the Transit Shed, canal basin and on the Piazza Terracina include: ●
Dragon boat racing
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Canoe shows and races
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Free Red Coat Guided Tours (summer only)
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Cycle events (National Bike Week - June)
For more information contact the Quay House Visitor Centre t: 01392 271611 or Exeter Visitor Information & Tickets t: 01392 665700
Events
Exeter Visitor Information & Tickets offers a wide range of services to help make your stay in the area as enjoyable as possible.
Historic Quayside Activities, Food & Drink, Shopping
These include: ● Accommodation bookings ● Theatre tickets ● Local event information and tickets ● Bus and train times ● Discount vouchers for local attractions ● A wide range of maps, books and souvenirs ● Cycling and walking information Dix’s Field, Exeter EX1 1GF t: 01392 665700 f: 01392 665260 e: evit@exeter.gov.uk www.exeter.gov.uk/visiting www.heartofdevon.com Open: Apr – Sept, Mon – Sat, 9am – 5pm Oct – Mar, Mon – Sat, 9.30am – 4.30pm Reduced opening hours between Christmas and New Year and bank holidays.
What’s nearby?
Why not discover what else is nearby? Here are a few suggestions: ● Belle Isle Park ● Tenpin bowling – 3-4 Haven Banks Retail Park t: 0871 873 2450 ● Riverside Leisure Centre – Cowick Street t: 01392 221771 ● Haven Banks Retail Park ● Exebridge Retail Park
Please tell us if you would like a copy of this document in another format. t: 01392 665700 f: 01392 665260
Design: The Marketing Department www.mdepartment.co.uk Printed by Peninsular Photography by Exeter City Council, Tony Howell, Stonefree Photography, Jay Knight, Dominic Lowther, Jenny Steer
All details in this brochure are believed to be correct at time of printing. Exeter City Council cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies contained within.
www.heartofdevon.com
Welcome
History
Shopping
Exeter’s Historic Quayside is a 10 minute walk or a short bus ride from the city centre. It is one of the most interesting and picturesque areas of the city, popular with locals and visitors alike for its fascinating history, interesting architecture, lively events and friendly pubs, cafés and restaurants.
Exeter has had a quay since Roman times. During the 13th and 14th centuries, rival merchants built weirs across the river near Topsham to prevent cargoes reaching Exeter. Between 1564 and 1566 John Trew built the first stretch of the Exeter Canal to enable delivery of cargo closer into the city. The increase in trade led to the construction of the Custom House in 1680.
Exeter’s Quayside is a great place for shopping. Choose from an eclectic mix including antiques, water sports equipment, clothing, home wares and works of art.
Exeter’s wealth came from the woollen cloth trade which reached its peak in the mid 18th Century. Cloth produced in the area was finished around Cricklepit Mill and loaded on to ships at the Quay to be taken all over the world. Warehouses were built in 1835 to house the cloth and imported goods such as olive oil, wine and salt cod.
Cross the River Exe by Butts Ferry (summer only) to reach more galleries and shops, which are located on the canal basin and the Piazza Terracina. There has been a ferry crossing here for over a thousand years and Butts Ferry is one of only five floating bridges in the country.
The Quayside has changed greatly over the years, and a once industrial landscape has now evolved into a place for leisure and relaxation for all the family. Activities on offer here include cycling, walking, relaxing boat trips, Red Coat Guided Tours and discovering the rich history of the area at the newly refurbished Quay House Visitor Centre. The Quayside is also home to an interesting mix of shops, specialising in arts, crafts, antiques and collectables.
Public Transport G bus from the High Street runs hourly Monday – Saturday between 10.15am and 3.15pm, with the return service from the Quay running hourly between 10.30am and 3.30pm. PR5 Matford Park and Ride service between South Street and Haven Road runs every 10-12 minutes between 8am - 6pm Monday – Saturday. Leave the car behind, come directly from the Matford Park and Ride to Haven Road.
The arrival of the railway in 1844 was the beginning of the end for the canal trade as the railway was a more efficient way of transporting goods. Evidence of Brunel’s broad gauge railway can be found next to the turntable on the Piazza Terracina.
Many of the Quayside’s old bonded warehouses have found a new lease of life as craft workshops. Here local artists can be seen making their wares from a variety of materials including wood, glass and metal.
From Piazza Terracina, take in the view of the Historic Quayside and the graceful Georgian Colleton Crescent, which is located above the river.
Food & drink
Cycling & walking
Cruises & canoeing
Whether you fancy brunch, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner, the Quayside and Piazza Terracina offer a great choice of local and international cuisine. Most cafés and restaurants use regional produce wherever possible, so look out for local specialities on the menu.
The Quayside is the ideal place for a relaxing walk or cycle ride. Whether you fancy a short stroll or a more ambitious bike ride, there are a number of dedicated walking and cycle routes to choose from.
To experience the Quayside from the water why not take a boat trip?
Work up an appetite with a walk, canoe trip or cycle ride, then stop for a breather at one of the historic riverside pubs. Alternatively stock up on supplies for a riverside picnic before setting out, and enjoy lunch by the water. For an evening al fresco summertime drink, or a glass of wine or local ale by the fire in winter, the Historic Quayside is hard to beat.
Cycle or walk through the Exeter Riverside Valley Park along miles of towpaths and enjoy two great pubs along the way - Double Locks and The Turf. The Valley Park is also home to local nature reserves, rich in wildlife. If you fancy a more challenging trip, why not hire a bike from Saddles and Paddles and head towards the sea along the new Exe Estuary Cycle Trail. This mainly traffic-free route links Exeter’s Quayside to Exmouth and passes through the beautiful riverside town of Topsham. The town is steeped in maritime history, offering river walks, excellent bird watching, great shopping, restaurants and pubs. Two ferry services operate from Topsham, one to The Turf www.turfpub.net and one to the Lock Keeper’s Cottage www.topshamlockcottage.co.uk. Ferry services are limited during winter months. For further information about the Exe Estuary Cycle Trail, visit www.devon.gov.uk/exeestuarytrail Saddles and Paddles provide bike hire for adults and children including child seats and tag-alongs for the under 5s. t: 01392 424241 www.saddlepaddle.co.uk
Exeter Cruises from Quayside to Double Locks. Operating weekends and bank holidays during April, May & September and daily during June, July and August (weather permitting). t: 07984 368442 www.exetercruises.com White Heather Ferry service operating three times a day between Double Locks and Turf Locks at weekends and throughout school holidays between Easter and end of September/early October (weather permitting). Weekday cruises available by private arrangement. t: 07842 374663 Stuart Line Cruises Once a month between May and September, cruise along the canal to the Historic Quayside to and from Exmouth. This trip takes around two and a half hours in each direction. t: 01395 222144 www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk Exeter Red Coat Guide Canal Trip - Free Tour includes a brief description of the Historic Quayside and a one-way boat trip to the Double Locks with on-board commentary. Return journey is an escorted walk back to the Quayside. Tours run twice a week June - August and tickets can be obtained from the Quay House Visitor Centre. t: 01392 265203 www.exeter.gov.uk/guidedtours Hire a canoe or kayak from Saddles and Paddles and take to the water. Single, double and family canoes are available with basic instruction provided. Pre-booking advisable. t: 01392 424241 www.saddlepaddle.co.uk Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre is situated on the canal and offers a variety of outdoor and adventure courses suitable for children and adults of all ages and abilities. t: 01392 434668 www.haven-banks.co.uk
Several of Exeter’s free Red Coat Guided Tours leave from outside the Quay House Visitor Centre during the summer months. Join the guides on their Canal Trip (Jun - Aug), the Historic Quayside Tour (Apr - Oct), or take a tour of the Custom House (Apr - Oct). t: 01392 265203 www.exeter.gov.uk/guidedtours Exeter Canal & Quay Trust was established as a charity 30 years ago to preserve and enhance the historic buildings on the Quay and Canal Basin and promote the Quay as a visitor attraction and thriving commercial area. It supports the running costs of the Quay House Visitor Centre.
Cricklepit Mill Home to the Devon Wildlife Trust, this ancient mill has been fully restored with the addition of a new visitor area. Cricklepit Mill is open all year round with outdoor events and activities for all the family held throughout the summer. During the winter months there is a programme of talks and film shows about the local wildlife and its habitats. Open: All year round Mon - Fri, 9am - 12.30pm and 1.30pm - 5pm. Admission free. Check website for news and events. Devon Wildlife Trust, Cricklepit Mill, Commercial Road, Exeter EX2 4AB t: 01392 279244 www.devonwildlifetrust.org/cricklepit-mill/
Food & drink
Cycling & walking
Cruises & canoeing
Whether you fancy brunch, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner, the Quayside and Piazza Terracina offer a great choice of local and international cuisine. Most cafés and restaurants use regional produce wherever possible, so look out for local specialities on the menu.
The Quayside is the ideal place for a relaxing walk or cycle ride. Whether you fancy a short stroll or a more ambitious bike ride, there are a number of dedicated walking and cycle routes to choose from.
To experience the Quayside from the water why not take a boat trip?
Work up an appetite with a walk, canoe trip or cycle ride, then stop for a breather at one of the historic riverside pubs. Alternatively stock up on supplies for a riverside picnic before setting out, and enjoy lunch by the water. For an evening al fresco summertime drink, or a glass of wine or local ale by the fire in winter, the Historic Quayside is hard to beat.
Cycle or walk through the Exeter Riverside Valley Park along miles of towpaths and enjoy two great pubs along the way - Double Locks and The Turf. The Valley Park is also home to local nature reserves, rich in wildlife. If you fancy a more challenging trip, why not hire a bike from Saddles and Paddles and head towards the sea along the new Exe Estuary Cycle Trail. This mainly traffic-free route links Exeter’s Quayside to Exmouth and passes through the beautiful riverside town of Topsham. The town is steeped in maritime history, offering river walks, excellent bird watching, great shopping, restaurants and pubs. Two ferry services operate from Topsham, one to The Turf www.turfpub.net and one to the Lock Keeper’s Cottage www.topshamlockcottage.co.uk. Ferry services are limited during winter months. For further information about the Exe Estuary Cycle Trail, visit www.devon.gov.uk/exeestuarytrail Saddles and Paddles provide bike hire for adults and children including child seats and tag-alongs for the under 5s. t: 01392 424241 www.saddlepaddle.co.uk
Exeter Cruises from Quayside to Double Locks. Operating weekends and bank holidays during April, May & September and daily during June, July and August (weather permitting). t: 07984 368442 www.exetercruises.com White Heather Ferry service operating three times a day between Double Locks and Turf Locks at weekends and throughout school holidays between Easter and end of September/early October (weather permitting). Weekday cruises available by private arrangement. t: 07842 374663 Stuart Line Cruises Once a month between May and September, cruise along the canal to the Historic Quayside to and from Exmouth. This trip takes around two and a half hours in each direction. t: 01395 222144 www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk Exeter Red Coat Guide Canal Trip - Free Tour includes a brief description of the Historic Quayside and a one-way boat trip to the Double Locks with on-board commentary. Return journey is an escorted walk back to the Quayside. Tours run twice a week June - August and tickets can be obtained from the Quay House Visitor Centre. t: 01392 265203 www.exeter.gov.uk/guidedtours Hire a canoe or kayak from Saddles and Paddles and take to the water. Single, double and family canoes are available with basic instruction provided. Pre-booking advisable. t: 01392 424241 www.saddlepaddle.co.uk Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre is situated on the canal and offers a variety of outdoor and adventure courses suitable for children and adults of all ages and abilities. t: 01392 434668 www.haven-banks.co.uk
Double Locks
Quay House Visitor Centre Built in 1680, the Quay House was formerly used for storing cloth and other goods. Today the history and development of the Quayside is told through displays and artefacts. There is also an opportunity to see the free audio-visual presentation “Exeter – 2000 years of History” that illustrates Exeter’s history from Roman times to the present day. The Quay House Visitor Centre offers visitor information, Quayside treasure hunts, an accommodation booking service plus a gift shop selling local pottery, replica maps, souvenirs and a large range of local books. Open: Apr - Oct, daily 10am - 5pm. Nov - Mar, weekends only 11am - 4pm. Admission free. 46 The Quay, Exeter EX2 4AN t: 01392 271611 e: quayhouse@exeter.gov.uk www.exeter.gov.uk/quayhouse
© Cycle Exeter
Several of Exeter’s free Red Coat Guided Tours leave from outside the Quay House Visitor Centre during the summer months. Join the guides on their Canal Trip (Jun - Aug), the Historic Quayside Tour (Apr - Oct), or take a tour of the Custom House (Apr - Oct). t: 01392 265203 www.exeter.gov.uk/guidedtours Exeter Canal & Quay Trust was established as a charity 30 years ago to preserve and enhance the historic buildings on the Exeter Canal & Quay Trust Quay and Canal Basin and promote the Quay as a visitor attraction and thriving commercial area. It supports the running costs of the Quay House Visitor Centre. Quay House Visitor Centre
Cricklepit Mill Home to the Devon Wildlife Trust, this ancient mill has been fully restored with the addition of a new visitor area. Cricklepit Mill is open all year round with outdoor events and activities for all the family held throughout the summer. During the winter months there is a programme of talks and film shows about the local wildlife and its habitats. Open: All year round Mon - Fri, 9am - 12.30pm and 1.30pm - 5pm. Admission free. Check website for news and events. Devon Wildlife Trust, Cricklepit Mill, Commercial Road, Exeter EX2 4AB t: 01392 279244 www.devonwildlifetrust.org/cricklepit-mill/
Cricklepit Mill
Walking route from city Walking and cycle route Quay House Visitor Centre
Approximately 5 mins walk © Crown Copyright All rights reserved 100025345
Cricklepit Mill
Custom House
Medieval Exe Bridge
Fishing With no closed season, the River Exe and canal are a paradise for anglers. Visitors will need a permit from the Civic Centre (located on Paris Street) or contact the River and Canal Manager on t: 01392 274306.