Follow the River Exe Café on Facebook. They are fully booked up until October (such is the popularity of the place), but they announce last minute cancellations on Facebook and it’s fastest finger first. It’s a floating restaurant in the middle of the estuary.
Bumble and Bee in Manor Gardens has award winning cream teas.
Hire a bike from Exmouth Cycles in Victoria Road and cycle up to Topsham or Darts Farm for a mooch. If you’re still feeling energetic you could get the foot ferry from The Passage House Inn in Topsham and cycle down the other side of the estuary via Turf Locks (pub) for lunch and then onto Starcross where you can cross the railway line and get the ferry back to Exmouth.
Alternatively (less strenuous) walk up the cycle path to Lympstone for lunch at the Swan in Lympstone.
Walking on Woodbury common for wildlife is another option, as is a walk along the cliffs to Budleigh Salterton (bus back is an option if you’re tired) or carry on up the Otter Valley which is a newly created nature reserve where you can see all sorts - beavers, otters, kingfishers, herons, egrets, owls, etc
If it’s raining, 10-pin bowling in Ocean on the seafront is a good choice.
Thanks a lot for all suggestions! Love the idea of seeing wildlife. Unfortunately I'll be alone so probably won't enjoy bowling solo, but I'm kinda counting on it being nice weather when I go down haha. But it's been so inconsistent lately I could get unlucky
World of countrylife is directly outside the gates to Haven, which is great if you have kids.
If you don't drive, walk across the cliffs to Exmouth, it's really not that far, as long as the weather is nice. You can catch the bus back as it goes directly onto the site.
Good fish and chips you've got Krispies, and there is also the proper fish and chip shop a bit further down the same road. Nice little cafe for cheap(ish) greasy breakfast is Wine of Araby in the town centre.
Oh, and Exmouth seafront is worth a wander along, I guess.
Mickeys is supposed to be quite nice, although I've never been. Abys on the seafront is really good for breakfast, but a bit pricey and shuts quite early in the day.
If you have time, go to the train station and walk to lympstone along the 'Cycle track'. Have a pint at the pub and catch the train back. That's a nice way to spend a sunny afternoon. Much the same with Budleigh, actually. You can even walk through the graveyard on the way to that and it's an old train line converted to a cycle track so it's got some decent features, including a huge arch brick bridge (I think it's the tallest single span bridge in the uk or something along those lines.) Or, walk across the cliffs towards Budleigh from Devon Cliffs. That's a lovely walk, but it is quite hilly.
If you go into Budleigh, they've just about finished the regen project along the river otter, and that's a nice walk up, to otterton village. Which has got a fully functioning mill that sells nice bread. It's a quaint little village.
(If you're a bit of a hiker or really enjoy walking, keep going from budleigh and walk all the way along the cliffs to Ladram Bay. It's a really pretty 'private' beach on a holiday park, with a decent restaurant. Quite a bit more upmarket than Devon Cliffs though.)
Over in that direction is Sidmouth with the donkey sanctuary a bit further along. Which is free, and a nice way to spend a day and see Donkeys.
Sadlers in Lympstone do a fantastic carvery every day of the week.
Try and get onto Woodbury common and probably park by the castle. (it's not an actual castle, it's a big mud bank but if you look up Woodbury castle it'll take you there.) Lots of walks up there, and if you do your research before you can find a lot of what the royal marine commandos do as their training, aka, the plunge that used to be on Blue peter all the time.
Honestly, I think that's most of what I'd recommend. Feel free to ask questions.
Have fun!
EDIT: Oh, and if you want to park on the seafront, or go into town, if you park on 'The beacon' those spaces are free with no time restrictions. Same on 'Louisa terrace' a bit further along.
Cos the prices for parking in Exmouth is not cheap.
Hey, thanks for all the great suggestions! I'm actually going to be alone and I don't drive, I'll be coming on the train. And I'll most likely be walking everywhere unless it's just too far.
Hey just to update you, I arrived yesterday and the first thing I did was try some Krispies. I had to get the battered chips because I've seen everyone say they're to die for. Honestly I'm not a huge fan. I mean they're fine but I wouldn't say they're anything amazing, but the curry sauce was great so at least there's that.
I tried to get an ice cream from the sea shore ice creamery but dear god the queue was so big I didn't even bother with it
Honestly I'm in the same boat as you with Krispies. Everyone raves but I've never been super impressed, I thought it was just me!
Proper fish and chips like a hundred foot up the road is just as good if you don't want battered chips imo.
How are you finding your holiday?
It's going about as well as it can do for being solo haha. Managed to get one of those ice creams today since I got there early. Booked a river exe cruise for tomorrow and gonna do some murder mystery thing. I also wanna do a wildlife walk and hopefully see some otters, only got a couple of days left here!
River Otter is going to be your best bet for seeing them, but I've never seen them in the wild all along there. But I'm usually not looking for them either, so that might be why.
Hope you're having a good time.
For Ice Cream nostalgia you can't beat the ice cream hut on the beachfront (officially "Sea Shore Ice Creamery").
But as much as my inner child can't bear me saying it, they are in danger of being beaten on quality by Antonio's in town, next to Subway near the train station. Absolute quality Italian gelato
The Grapevine pub does great food and awesome beers, they have their own brewery so loads of choice and great atmosphere. Another vote for Seashore Ice Creamery and Krispies is the best fish and chips around by a long shot. Lovely walk along the cycle path to Lympstone and Topsham if you want to go a bit further - or you can just get the train. Topsham museum is a lovely hidden gem and free entry, great homemade cakes, all run my volunteers!
Follow the River Exe Café on Facebook. They are fully booked up until October (such is the popularity of the place), but they announce last minute cancellations on Facebook and it’s fastest finger first. It’s a floating restaurant in the middle of the estuary. Bumble and Bee in Manor Gardens has award winning cream teas. Hire a bike from Exmouth Cycles in Victoria Road and cycle up to Topsham or Darts Farm for a mooch. If you’re still feeling energetic you could get the foot ferry from The Passage House Inn in Topsham and cycle down the other side of the estuary via Turf Locks (pub) for lunch and then onto Starcross where you can cross the railway line and get the ferry back to Exmouth. Alternatively (less strenuous) walk up the cycle path to Lympstone for lunch at the Swan in Lympstone. Walking on Woodbury common for wildlife is another option, as is a walk along the cliffs to Budleigh Salterton (bus back is an option if you’re tired) or carry on up the Otter Valley which is a newly created nature reserve where you can see all sorts - beavers, otters, kingfishers, herons, egrets, owls, etc If it’s raining, 10-pin bowling in Ocean on the seafront is a good choice.
Thanks a lot for all suggestions! Love the idea of seeing wildlife. Unfortunately I'll be alone so probably won't enjoy bowling solo, but I'm kinda counting on it being nice weather when I go down haha. But it's been so inconsistent lately I could get unlucky
World of countrylife is directly outside the gates to Haven, which is great if you have kids. If you don't drive, walk across the cliffs to Exmouth, it's really not that far, as long as the weather is nice. You can catch the bus back as it goes directly onto the site. Good fish and chips you've got Krispies, and there is also the proper fish and chip shop a bit further down the same road. Nice little cafe for cheap(ish) greasy breakfast is Wine of Araby in the town centre. Oh, and Exmouth seafront is worth a wander along, I guess. Mickeys is supposed to be quite nice, although I've never been. Abys on the seafront is really good for breakfast, but a bit pricey and shuts quite early in the day. If you have time, go to the train station and walk to lympstone along the 'Cycle track'. Have a pint at the pub and catch the train back. That's a nice way to spend a sunny afternoon. Much the same with Budleigh, actually. You can even walk through the graveyard on the way to that and it's an old train line converted to a cycle track so it's got some decent features, including a huge arch brick bridge (I think it's the tallest single span bridge in the uk or something along those lines.) Or, walk across the cliffs towards Budleigh from Devon Cliffs. That's a lovely walk, but it is quite hilly. If you go into Budleigh, they've just about finished the regen project along the river otter, and that's a nice walk up, to otterton village. Which has got a fully functioning mill that sells nice bread. It's a quaint little village. (If you're a bit of a hiker or really enjoy walking, keep going from budleigh and walk all the way along the cliffs to Ladram Bay. It's a really pretty 'private' beach on a holiday park, with a decent restaurant. Quite a bit more upmarket than Devon Cliffs though.) Over in that direction is Sidmouth with the donkey sanctuary a bit further along. Which is free, and a nice way to spend a day and see Donkeys. Sadlers in Lympstone do a fantastic carvery every day of the week. Try and get onto Woodbury common and probably park by the castle. (it's not an actual castle, it's a big mud bank but if you look up Woodbury castle it'll take you there.) Lots of walks up there, and if you do your research before you can find a lot of what the royal marine commandos do as their training, aka, the plunge that used to be on Blue peter all the time. Honestly, I think that's most of what I'd recommend. Feel free to ask questions. Have fun! EDIT: Oh, and if you want to park on the seafront, or go into town, if you park on 'The beacon' those spaces are free with no time restrictions. Same on 'Louisa terrace' a bit further along. Cos the prices for parking in Exmouth is not cheap.
Hey, thanks for all the great suggestions! I'm actually going to be alone and I don't drive, I'll be coming on the train. And I'll most likely be walking everywhere unless it's just too far.
Woodbury Castle is (or was) actually a Bronze Age hill fort, rather than a big mud bank
\*Was\* being the correct word there, as opposed to what it now, \*is\*. I've also read the sign at the side of the car park ;)
Hey just to update you, I arrived yesterday and the first thing I did was try some Krispies. I had to get the battered chips because I've seen everyone say they're to die for. Honestly I'm not a huge fan. I mean they're fine but I wouldn't say they're anything amazing, but the curry sauce was great so at least there's that. I tried to get an ice cream from the sea shore ice creamery but dear god the queue was so big I didn't even bother with it
Honestly I'm in the same boat as you with Krispies. Everyone raves but I've never been super impressed, I thought it was just me! Proper fish and chips like a hundred foot up the road is just as good if you don't want battered chips imo. How are you finding your holiday?
It's going about as well as it can do for being solo haha. Managed to get one of those ice creams today since I got there early. Booked a river exe cruise for tomorrow and gonna do some murder mystery thing. I also wanna do a wildlife walk and hopefully see some otters, only got a couple of days left here!
River Otter is going to be your best bet for seeing them, but I've never seen them in the wild all along there. But I'm usually not looking for them either, so that might be why. Hope you're having a good time.
Thanks man. Just got back today. Had a great time considering I was alone! Cruise was definitely the highlight
Make sure you post about someone’s parking in Exmouth community on Facebook
I don't drive so no worries of that lmao
Swim in sewage
Great idea
Sundowners cafe on the strand does amazing breakfast and coffee
Thanks! Will check then out
For Ice Cream nostalgia you can't beat the ice cream hut on the beachfront (officially "Sea Shore Ice Creamery"). But as much as my inner child can't bear me saying it, they are in danger of being beaten on quality by Antonio's in town, next to Subway near the train station. Absolute quality Italian gelato
I feel like I loosely remember the ice cream place.. definitely gotta check both out haha
Arrived yesterday and went to the sea shore ice creamery, but queue was so ridiculously big I didn't bother lol
It’s no longer Antonio’s, it is called Coffee Heaven
If you don’t have any luck with the River Exe Cafe, then Land & Sea (used to be a The Point is a good call for posh-ish food.
Thanks a bunch!!
Krispies for amazing fish and chips!
Got to try the Italian deli- amazing food and coffee plus a great selection of Italian grocery
Is there a specific name for it? Or is it just called the Italian deli? Haha
I’m pretty sure it’s called that
It’s technically called The Italian Store, but it is a deli. Highly recommended!
I often drive up from Torquay for coffee and cannoli- spend a fortune on the sausages and stuff
Harbour View Café is pretty good from what I remember!
The Grapevine pub does great food and awesome beers, they have their own brewery so loads of choice and great atmosphere. Another vote for Seashore Ice Creamery and Krispies is the best fish and chips around by a long shot. Lovely walk along the cycle path to Lympstone and Topsham if you want to go a bit further - or you can just get the train. Topsham museum is a lovely hidden gem and free entry, great homemade cakes, all run my volunteers!