Whether you’re starting your journey here at University of Exeter or simply looking to explore the city a bit more, Exeter has something for everyone. The perfect blend of nature, vibrant city life and historical charm, the city is filled with time-tested student hotspots. Hop on to discover some of the most fun places to eat, shop and explore, all on student friendly budgets.
Satisfy your food cravings with some Student-Friendly Eats
For soul satisfying meals
The Ram Bar and Isca Eats at the Streatham Campus offer great affordable options for lunch and snacks in between lectures and events, everything under £10, with live music and quiz nights.
The city offers a varied range of options from cultural cuisines to local cafes and resto bars, which are budget friendly and inclusive of vegan options too. Some of my personal favourites are Zizzi, The Old Firehouse, Bella Italia, The Wetherspoons, Mill on the Exe and Red Panda and Namaste Exeter. They offer varied discounts and great ambience. A must-try for vegan options are Eat the Bird and the Cheeky Vegan.
Best Cafes and relaxing day out spots.
Pink Ginger, Hyde & Seek, The Exploding Bakery Café, Creeks Cuppa, Glorious Art House, Veg Box are some of the many wonderful cafes that are nestled in the city, offering ideal menu options with the perfect ambience. A walk down Gandy Street and Fore Street will reveal hidden gems that you can discover on every visit.
Dessert is always a good idea!
No one can deny the healing powers of a good scrumptious chocolate cake, and the city has plenty places to pick from such as Big Bakes Bakery, The Little Dessert Shop and Cake or Death, including delicious vegan dessert options. Kaspa is a student’s favourite, with10% off on their huge menu for students.
Pro tip is to sign up to Unidays and Student Beans for various discounts and food and travel deals.
Shopping for essentials and Indie finds
Essentials can be ticked off from a quick run to the Guildhall Shopping Centre or Princesshay which offers stores such as Sainsbury’s Local, Tesco, H&M, Zara, Primark, Superdrug and the likes. Alphington road, on the other hand, houses multiple huge grocery store outlets (Aldi Lidl, The Range, Sainsburys) for when you need to shop in bulk for good prices.
The various independent stores at the Fore street are a must visit. Treasures can be
found at The Real McCoy, The Emporium, Style Vintage and Flamingos Vintage, which are all heaven for vintage clothes, accessories and handmade goods at great prices.
Explore and unwind in the city
When you’re not spending all the time in lectures or working hard on the assessments, exploring the city is a must. In the heart of Devon, Exeter is well connected to the beach and the moors offering great escapes into nature.
In the City:
Pop into the Exeter Cathedral for a £10 ticket that is valid for the whole year or simple just people-watch on a sunny day. The Quayside is a personal favourite, always bustling with music, people and great views. Ideal for riverside walks, kayaking, shopping and cute café dates. Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) is a must visit for history lovers. The entry is free and offers a fun day out.
A day out in the nature:
Haldon Forest, Dartmoor National Park, Exmouth, Dawlish and Sidmouth are all a quick train or bus ride away from Exeter for a wholesome day trip offering opportunities for fun beach days, bike trips and exciting hikes. Student life in Exeter is all about balance: get lost in the history, visit local cafés, take a spontaneous trip to the beach, and have a pint in your local pub.