My name’s Gemma, and I am the new Societies and Employability Officer. I’m spending my summer in Exeter learning the ropes, getting to grips with the role, and undertaking training. But when I’m not at work, I thought I would share my favourites to do in Exeter during the summertime. Ranging from free to about £5, you don’t have to compromise on your budget, and with low-energy to higher energy activities, there’s something for everyone. Remember to keep drinking water and applying suncream, checking the UV and spending time in the shade!
Cool down in Cafés:
Cool off with one of Sunset Society's smoothies, perfect for those living around the St. James Park area.
Try an acai bowl at Juice King, an iced matcha from Pink Ginger or a cold chocolate from Knoops!
Hop on a train to Dawlish:
Grab an ice cream from Gay’s Creamery, explore the gift shops and charity shops and walk the sea wall along to Dawlish Warren or paddle in the cove surrounded by the red cliffs- always follow open water swimming advice.
Get down to Exmouth:
Visit the Uni’s most popular beach on a sunny day to sunbathe, collect shells, grab chips and a Mr. Whippy. On a greyer day, the café overlooking the beach down the promenade is my favourite for a cup of tea. The charity shops in town are also excellent for a seaside look!
Go fossil hunting at Lyme Regis:
Lyme Regis is beautiful on a sunny day by the beach or on a moody day hunting for fossils by the cliffs- keep in mind to keep your distance from them for potential falling rocks.
Spend the afternoon in Topsham:
Just a 15-minute train or a half an hour bus away, you can walk through this little town, wander through the shops, through to the walkway by the river. If you are a bird-watching enthusiast, you can spend time at the RSPB lookout at the nature reserve. You can grab ice cream from the takeaway shack and a drink by the water at the Lighter Inn.
Pop down to the Quay:
Whether it’s to enjoy a quiet drink by the water or to take on an adventure on it, the quay is a great place to spend the weekend. Enjoy a pizza from Topsham Brewery’s pop-up pizza portal or hire bikes or paddles and cycle or glide down to double locks, the pub tucked away alongside the river. If you enjoy gift shops, look no further than Spangles and The Craft Cellar. If climbing is more your thing, visit the climbing centre by the quay- a student favourite.
Picnic on Cathedral Green:
Suns out, picnic blankets out! In the heart of the city centre, the Cathedral green is the place to be on a sunny day, relax under trees overlooking the impressive Cathedral with picky bits at hand. Keep an eye out for pop-up craft markets and flea markets on Fore Street!
Book in hand:
Whether it’s one you’ve been waiting for the moment to crack open or there’s a book on your wish list, now is the opportunity! There’s nothing quite like disappearing into a great book with the sun warming your skin. It’s a great, quiet afternoon activity when you want to enjoy the weather but don’t quite have the energy for anything super active.
Take a dip in the pool:
The Cornwall House swimming pool at the University is open during the summer. This 25m outdoor swimming pool is the perfect place to cooldown in the heat. Take a look at the timetable on the University website for different sessions: casual swim, lane swimming, private hire etc. With membership at just £22 and a single swim for £4.50 if you’re a committed swimmer, I would recommend the membership, but for a one-off day at the pool, no membership required to attend! I would also advise arriving at the beginning of the session to avoid disappointment of the pool reaching capacity.