Exeter is described as the capital of Devon, known for its beautiful countryside and nearby beaches. In celebration of The University of Law’s partnership with the University of Exeter, we have compiled the top five reasons to study in this lovely part of the UK.
By Elena Carruthers. Published 30 March 2022. Last updated 11 January 2023.
A tropical paradise. Well, as close as it gets in the UK
Exeter is just a short train ride away from the seaside, being home to a range of pebbly and sandy beaches.
The most famous local beach is Exmouth which has an impressive two-mile stretch of golden sand, providing as close to a tropical experience as UK residents can expect. Here, people can enjoy lounging around, taking a dip in the warmer months, or exploring the rock pools.
In the surrounding areas of rural Devon, there are countless beaches to enjoy such as Dawlish Warren and Teignmouth Beach, both within half an hour of Exeter.
Glorious countryside
As well as being a seaside town, Exeter is known for its vast open countryside, forests and parks. This includes Haldon Forest Park which sits just 15 minutes outside of the city. The park consists of an impressive 3,500 acres of woodland where you can go on a gentle walk or for those into their hiking and cycling, enjoy a range of routes for all ability levels.
You can also take a walk at The Exe Valley Way, a walk through the scenic river valley spanning 50 miles. To walk the section of the valley in Exeter takes around an hour, and the overall trail is split into ten sections across South Devon.
Go Karting
For a more action-packed day, you can arrange go-karting with a group of friends at Race World. The venue has a 400m indoor racing circuit that is perfect for beginners and experienced racers.
Race World allow customers to book in small groups of 1-6 up to groups of 13+. Each team member is equipped with professional racing gear with the team nearby to help out where needed. For those that are super speedy, it’s even possible to make it onto the ‘Hot Laps’ scoreboard.
Stylish bars
The Ram is a restaurant and bar in Exeter’s city centre, offering classic pub grub and affordable cocktails. The bar caters to all and has various themed nights, quiz nights and displays live sports events on the big screen.
Another popular local bar for students is The Old Firehouse, one of Exeter’s oldest inns. The rustic pub is famous for its 14” pizzas and lively open mic nights.
Double Locks
Double Locks is the perfect place for pub-goers and walkers to unite. The pub is located on the Exeter Ship Canal so guests can sit back and look out over the river with a drink in hand. Its remote location makes it a popular place for those needing a stop-break and it is accessible by both foot and bike.
Once you are ready to set off again, you can enjoy a leisurely walk by the Exeter Ship Canal. The Canal leads to many other areas to explore such as the Turf pub, only accessible by foot. Walkers can also enjoy wetlands hideouts and try to spot some of the local wildlife such as herons and kingfishers.
Find out more about studying the The University of Law’s courses in Exeter here.
