Three reasons to choose Exeter for your group holiday

Exeter might not be the first city you think of for a fun-packed group holiday, but after you’ve learnt a little more about this dynamic Devon city, you’ll see why it should top your list.

A Growing City in the Heart of Devon

Exeter has a reputation as a peaceful, leafy and historic city with a grand cathedral and a respected university. While it is of course all of those things, in some ways its national reputation is ripe for an update.

Since 2007, when the Princesshay shopping centre opened in the city centre, Exeter has also become known regionally as a shopper’s paradise. Princesshay is home to over 70 high street stores. It also boasts numerous cafes, bars and restaurants with continental-style terraces - all perfect for group holidays. In addition, buoyed by the large student population, the city has a plethora of excellent clubs, pubs and live music venues.

Ultimately, it’s the variety that makes Exeter so well suited to group holidays. You have all the benefits of the city and all the joys of the countryside and coast. No matter how varied your group is, you’ll find something to satisfy everyone.

Here are three reasons to choose Exeter as a group holiday destination.

Discover Exeter & Devon

Travelling to Exeter is all part of the holiday. Wherever you’re coming from, you’ll pass some beautiful countryside to ease you into the holiday mood.

If four or five of you are heading to Devon, consider sharing a car and going down as a group. Not only will you save money, you’ll feel like you’re extending your break by making the journey all part of the fun. Even hiring a luxury car becomes quite reasonable if a big enough group is travelling down.

If you do that, you’ll also find that once you’re in Exeter, having wheels will help you make the most out of your stay. Dartmoor and Exmoor are best explored by car, as is the beautiful north Devon coastline, where perfect picnic spots are never more than a few minutes away. Don’t worry if you’re non-drivers, though - the beaches at Torbay, Dawlish and Teignmouth are all easily accessible by rail.

Fresh-air Fun & Frolics: Exeter’s Group Holiday Activities

Everything that makes Exeter a popular holiday destination is best enjoyed among friends. Particularly if you’re coming from London, your group will find Exeter to be nicely spacious and accommodating. It has the nightlife and facilities you’d expect from a city, alongside plenty of clean air and wide open spaces.

To satisfy the clubbers in your group, Arena will probably be the first stop. It plays dance, party, R ‘n’ B and some indie as well as plenty from the charts. Arena is known as Exeter’s premier club and one of the best in the South West. Fans of live music should head to the Cavern or the Phoenix, both of which have packed music programmes.

In the daytime, you can stay in Exeter to shop, check out the cafes and restaurants or explore the city. Alternatively, head out of the city to enjoy the splendid isolation of the two moors, one of Devon’s many famous beaches, or some local, historic towns (Totnes is especially worth a trip). Fantastic opportunities for watersports, cycling and hiking are all within a short drive. Happily, none of these activities need to cost a fortune, at least compared with metropolitan prices.

Where Holiday Accommodation won’t Blow the Budget

The hardest part of planning a group holiday is sorting out the accommodation. As you’ll be dealing with differing budgets and expectations, it’s best to keep it low-cost and no frills. One of Exeter’s advantages is that it hosts B&B accommodation that provides exactly that.

Event Exeter, part of the University of Exeter, provides centrally-located, low-cost group holiday accommodation during the vacation season. It can accommodate large groups so there’s no need to split up, and it is surrounded by beautiful botanical gardens and lawns. Why pay extra for in-room facilities you won’t use, when everything that will make your group holiday great is to be found in the great outdoors?

If you’re looking for cheap group holiday accommodation in Exeter, take a look at the availability of their B&B rooms now: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/eventexeter/accommodation/bedandbreakfast/