Isca Dumnoniorum (Roman name); Execestre (medieval English); Exanceastre (Old English)

Two thousand years of continuous history have given Exeter a compact historic core of extraordinary richness for a city of its size — the Roman walls (some of the most complete surviving in England), the Norman cathedral, the medieval guildhall, the underground Roman passages, and the Georgian quayside all crowd within a walkable city centre that rewards exploration at every level. It is the historic capital of Devon, a cathedral and university city of considerable charm, and the main service and cultural centre for a region of extraordinary natural beauty. Exeter Cathedral — begun in Norman times, extensively rebuilt in the Decorated Gothic style between 1275 and 1400 — has the longest continuous Gothic vaulted ceiling in the world, a claim that brings architectural pilgrims from across England. The cathedral close, the High Street with its medieval guildhall (still serving as the city council chamber, one of the oldest municipal buildings in continuous use in England), and the excavated Roman Bath House visible through a glass floor in the city centre provide the framework of Exeter's remarkable historic density. The Quayside — the working 17th and 18th century waterfront along the Exeter Ship Canal, now lined with pubs, restaurants, cycle hire, and independent businesses — is the most atmospheric leisure quarter of the city, connected to the centre by a Victorian cast-iron footbridge over the Exe. The Craft beer and independent restaurant scene here and in the Cathedral Quarter has made Exeter one of the most enjoyable small cities in southwest England for eating and drinking. The university population of over 25,000 students adds considerable youthful energy. The Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) — recently refurbished and now one of England's finest regional museums, with outstanding natural history, world cultures, and fine art collections — is the cultural anchor of the city. The Northcott Theatre and the Exeter Northcott's touring programme bring high-quality performance to the city. Dartmoor National Park (wild granite moorland, Bronze Age stone rows, white-water rivers) begins just 10 miles south. The Jurassic Coast, the Exe Estuary nature reserve, and the villages of East Devon are within 30 minutes. The city is the gateway to the best of Devon and Cornwall.

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Population

81,000

Weather

In the Exe Valley in Devon, southwest England, Exeter has a temperate oceanic climate that is mild and wet — significantly warmer than northern English cities in winter, with rarely severe cold, but also reliably overcast and rainy, particularly from October through March. Spring (March–May): 7–16°C (45–61°F). Mild and greening. The Devon countryside surrounding the city is beautiful in spring. Rain remains frequent. Summer (June–August): 14–22°C (57–72°F). Warm and generally pleasant. The southwest has more sunshine than the northwest of England, and Exeter's inland position gives it slightly warmer summer temperatures than coastal resorts. Autumn (September–November): 9–17°C (48–63°F). Often mild and pleasant in September. Rain increases significantly from October. Devon's lanes and moorland show excellent foliage. Winter (December–February): 3–9°C (37–48°F). Mild and wet. Snow in the city is rare. Dartmoor to the southwest can receive heavy snow while the city remains clear.

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