South West England
Rainy day date ideas in Exeter
Updated
When the Devon rain sets in, Exeter has you covered. Look up at the longest unbroken Gothic vault in the world in the cathedral, then wander RAMM, the free city museum, with its giraffe on the stairs. Put on a hard hat for the medieval Underground Passages, or browse magic lanterns and old posters at the free Bill Douglas Cinema Museum. In the evening, catch an indie film or a comedy night at Exeter Phoenix, or a play at the Northcott on the university campus. Harry’s is a warm, busy restaurant in a Victorian Gothic workshop, so book ahead, and the Old Firehouse is a rambling old pub over several floors with pizzas served late.
Our picks
Exeter Cathedral
Cathedral Close, city centre
Address: 1 The Cloisters, Exeter EX1 1HS- Culture
- Rain-proof ☔
- Mid-price
Walk the length of the nave under the longest unbroken Gothic vault in the world, find the cat hole cut in the door below the astronomical clock, and book a tour up into the roof when they're running.
Why it's a good date: It stops you in your tracks the moment you look up. Your ticket includes a guided floor tour, and Cathedral Green outside is the place to sit with a coffee afterwards.
Photo: Querido, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped and resized)
Royal Albert Memorial Museum
Queen Street, city centre
Address: Queen Street, Exeter EX4 3RX- Culture
- Rain-proof ☔
- Free
Wander the city's free museum, known to everyone as RAMM, from Roman Exeter and Devon wildlife to a giraffe on the stairs and galleries of art and objects from around the world.
Why it's a good date: Big enough to fill a wet afternoon and free to walk in and out of. Pick a favourite object each and show each other, then have lunch in the café.
Photo: David Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
Exeter's Underground Passages
Paris Street, by Princesshay
Address: 2 Paris Street, Exeter EX1 1GA- Culture
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
Put on a hard hat and follow a guide through the narrow medieval tunnels that once carried fresh water under the city, the only passages of their kind in Britain you can visit.
Why it's a good date: A proper little adventure right under the shops, and dry whatever the weather. Book ahead, especially in school holidays, and skip it if tight spaces aren't your thing.
Photo: Stephen Craven, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum
The Old Library, Prince of Wales Road, University of Exeter
Address: The Old Library, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter EX4 4SB- Culture
- Rain-proof ☔
- Free
Browse a free museum of film and the moving image on the university campus, from magic lanterns and peep shows to old cinema posters and film-star souvenirs.
Why it's a good date: Quiet, quirky and lovely for film fans, and it costs nothing. Pair it with a show at the Northcott, which is a short walk across campus.
Photo: Ridiculopathy, CC0 (cropped and resized)
Exeter Phoenix
Bradninch Place, off Gandy Street
Address: Exeter Phoenix, Bradninch Place, Gandy Street, Exeter EX4 3LS- Event
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Cosy
Catch an indie film in the small cinema, a gig or a comedy night at the city's arts centre, with free exhibitions and a busy café bar downstairs.
Why it's a good date: Relaxed and good value, with something on most nights. Meet in the café bar beforehand, and walk down the lanes of Gandy Street afterwards.
Photo: Stephen Richards, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
Exeter Northcott Theatre
Stocker Road, University of Exeter
Address: Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QB- Event
- Rain-proof ☔
- Mid-price
- Big night
- Culture
See a play, a musical or a big-name comedian at the theatre on the university campus, which makes its own shows as well as hosting touring ones.
Why it's a good date: A proper night out without a trip to London or Bristol. Check what's on, book ahead for the stand-up nights, and have a drink in the foyer bar first.
Photo: Smalljim, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped and resized)
Harry's Restaurant
Longbrook Street, near the bus station
Address: 86 Longbrook Street, Exeter EX4 6AP- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Mid-price
- Foodie
- Romantic
Have dinner at a long-running family restaurant in a Victorian Gothic workshop, with a seasonal menu and a relaxed, friendly room.
Why it's a good date: Warm, busy and reliably good, the kind of place locals take people they want to impress. Book ahead, especially at weekends.
Photo: Smalljim, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped and resized)
The Old Firehouse
New North Road, city centre
Address: 50 New North Road, Exeter EX4 4EP- Bar
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Dog friendly
- Cosy
Climb the creaky stairs of a rambling old pub over several floors, with real ales and ciders, live music and big square pizzas served late.
Why it's a good date: An Exeter favourite for a reason: dim, friendly and open late, so it works as the first stop or the last. Share a pizza, and well-behaved dogs are welcome until the evening.
Photo: Simon Cobb, CC0 (resized)
Quick answers
Which rainy-day dates in Exeter are free?
RAMM and the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum are both free and indoors. The Underground Passages charge a little, and are dry whatever the weather.
Do we need to book the Underground Passages?
It's best to book ahead, especially in school holidays, and skip it if tight spaces aren't your thing.
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