Date spot in Exeter
Northernhay and Rougemont Gardens
Slip off the high street into England's oldest public gardens, where the paths run beside the Roman and Saxon city wall below the ruins of Rougemont Castle.
Queen Street and Castle Street, city centre
Address: Northernhay Gardens, Northernhay Place, Exeter EX4 3QE- Outdoors
- Free
Why it's a good date: A calm green pocket a minute from the shops, with benches and old trees. Bring a takeaway coffee or a picnic, and look out for open-air theatre here in summer.
Photo: Simon Cobb, CC0 (resized)
More from our Exeter guide
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)
