What to do in Exeter when it rains
When Exeter turns grey, head for the indoors — centuries of history in its museums, art to lose an hour in, and markets and cafés out of the rain.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery Royal Albert memorial Museum Art & Gallery, Queen St, Exeter EX4 3RX, UK
- Bill Douglas Cinema Museum Prince of Wales Rd, Exeter EX4 4SB, UK
- St Nicholas Priory The Mint, Exeter EX4 3BL, UK
- Exeter Historic Guildhall 203 High St, Exeter EX4 3EB, UK
- St Catherines Almshouses 17 Catherine St, Exeter EX1 1EU, UK
- St Catherine's Chapel Catherine St, Exeter EX4 7JJ, UK
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery Royal Albert memorial Museum Art & Gallery, Queen St, Exeter EX4 3RX, UK
- Exeter Phoenix Gandy St, Bradninch, Place, Exeter EX4 3LS, UK
- Frame Warehouse Grace Rd Central, Marsh Barton, Exeter EX2 8QA, UK
- Devon Picture Framer Unit 4, Bakers Yard, Alphin Brook Rd, Marsh Barton, Exeter EX2 8RG, UK
- Castle Fine Art, Exeter 48-49 High St, Exeter EX4 3DJ, UK
- Maker Mart 11a Gandy St, Exeter EX4 3LS, UK
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
- Exeter Castle Castle St, Exeter EX4 3PU, UK
- Exeter Historic Guildhall 203 High St, Exeter EX4 3EB, UK
- Pinces Gardens Pinces Rd, Exeter EX2 9EN, UK
- Custom House, Exeter Quay Commercial Rd, Exeter EX2 4AB, UK
- Exeter Clock 8a Elm Grove Rd, Exeter EX4 4LJ, UK
- Castle Gatehouse Castle St, Exeter EX4 3PU, UK
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- Tesco Extra Russell Way, Exeter EX2 7EZ, UK
- Tesco Express Tesco Stores Ltd, 223-225 High St, Exeter EX4 3RH, UK
- Tesco Petrol Station Russell Way, Exeter EX2 7EZ, UK
- Tesco Express Tesco Express, 74 Sidwell St, Exeter EX4 6PH, UK
- Tesco Esso Express Tesco Express & Esso, 85 Fore St, Heavitree, Exeter EX1 2RN, UK
- GSF Car Parts (Exeter) Units 1, 4 Alphin Brook Rd, Marsh Barton, Exeter EX2 8RG, UK
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- Exeter Northcott Theatre Stocker Rd, Exeter EX4 4QB, UK
- Marks & Spencer 211-219 High St, Exeter EX4 3QA, UK
- Exeter Phoenix Gandy St, Bradninch, Place, Exeter EX4 3LS, UK
- Boulder Exe Boulder Exe, Tudor St, Exeter EX4 3BR, UK
- Bill's Exeter Restaurant 32-33 Gandy St, Exeter EX4 3LS, UK
- Bernaville Nurseries 3 Horse Shoes, Cowley, Exeter EX5 5EU, UK
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- Princesshay 9 Catherine St, Exeter EX1 1QA, UK
- Guildhall Shopping Centre Exeter 40 High St, Exeter EX4 3HP, UK
- Exe Bridges Retail Park Exeter EX4 1AF, UK
- McCoys Arcade Fore St, Exeter EX4 3AN, UK
- Sowton Retail Park Sowton Industrial Estate, Exeter EX2 7JD, UK
- NMNMall 66 Trinity Crescent, Whipton, Exeter EX1 7DD, UK
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 36 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.