A. Castle Quarter, Exeter

A. Castle Quarter, Exeter

Exeter's Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM)

One of the best cultural visitor attractions in South West England, Exeter's Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) is located on Queen Street. It's a superb place that we can't recommend highly enough.

'The museum's collections contain an extraordinary wealth of artefacts and specimens that tell the story of Devon and Exeter from its formation, but RAMM is far more than a local museum. Its internationally important world cultures and natural history collections tell a story of global exploration and collecting in the 18th and 19th centuries, and contain examples of life and cultures that have long since disappeared from the world.' (Exeter's Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery official guidebook)

 

Rougemont Castle

Castle ruins include a fine gatehouse which is said to be the oldest standing castle building in England. See our Rougemont Castle (Exeter Castle) listing for more information.

Look out for the plaque on the gatehouse wall which reads: 'The Devon Witches. In memory of Temperance Lloyd, Susannah Edwards, Mary Trembles of Bideford died 1682. Alice Molland died 1685. The last people in England to be executed for witchcraft tried here and hanged at Heavitree. In hope of an end to persecution & intolerance.'

 

Exeter City Wall

'Built by the Romans about 200A.D., since repaired by others. Much of Exeter City Wall still stands, some of it of original Roman workmanship'. (Plaque on City Wall by Princesshay)

 

Rougemont Gardens

Beautiful gardens at Rougement Castle and within Exeter City Wall. Nice spot for lunch or a drink from Exeter Library.

 

Northernhay Gardens

Extensive gardens on the outer side of Exeter City Wall and Rougemont Castle. There are many entry points including through Athelstan's Tower in the city wall from Rougemont Gardens.

Northernhay Gardens is home to many statues and memorials including the impressive War Memorial which was designed by local sculptor John Angle and unveiled in 1923.

 

Exeter Phoenix

'Home to several art galleries, a theatre, cinema, film production resources, a radio station, print workshop and recording studios, all centred around a buzzing café bar.' (Exeter Phoenix website)

 

Exeter Woollen Trail, Exeter City Wall Trail and Exeter Medieval Trail

Follow one, or all, of the superb Exeter walking trails. Leaflets are available from the Visitor Information Centre/Tourist Information Centre in Southernhay or you can download them online.

See our Exeter Woollen TrailExeter City Wall Trail and Exeter Medieval Trail listings.

 

Gandy Street Mural

'This mural depicts historic scenes from Gandy Street and the surrounding area. Gandy Street was known as 'Curre Street' relating to either packs of dogs in the area or the trade of curing leather. The local museum has many historical artefacts like Tosias Cross which once protected a wealthy merchant's house from damage by carts. The nearby Rougemont Gardens, where open air performances take place in summer, includes the Roman city wall and rampart and a massive ditch of William the Conqueror's Rougemont Castle. A plaque affixed on the castle wall commemorates the execution of the Devon witches the last ones tried in England. Why don't you explore the scenes depicted in this mural?'

 

Shopping

The much-photographed Gandy Street is known for its independent shops.

 

Cafes

Caffé Espresso is situated on Castle Street by Rougement Castle.

The Real Food Cafe at Exeter Library at Rougemont Gardens.

Try also the cafe in Exeter's Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery.

 

Restaurants

Head to Gandy Street and nearby Queen Street Dining.

 

Pubs and bars

Coolings in Gandy Street (used to be Hatt’s Bar and Restaurant).

John Gandy's in Gandy Street.