So it’s coming incredibly close to the end of term so the girls at Her Campus Exeter thought they’d compile a list of Exeter’s “greatest” attractions in alphabetical order. Here goes…
A – Arena – one of the most popular student clubs, especially if you like the smell of feet… Amory – if you’ve always wanted to be in a real-life maze, this building is the one for you.
B – Boston Tea Party – a great place to study or simply just spend an afternoon gorging on irresistible cakes, coffee, and more cakes. Burger bars (Hub Box, Urban Burger, Ruby)… they’re popping out of nowhere! The Black Horse – for those who like to catch up on sporting events. The Bike Shed Theatre – to watch shows by emerging theatre companies and comedy groups.
C – Cathedral Green – covered with little ants (aka humans) whenever a ray of sunshine hits the beautiful city! Co-op on Pennsylvania – for early morning milk purchases, and last minute “pre lash” content. Cellar Door – for those edgy enough to dare. Cheesey Tuesdays – for those who can’t get enough of 90s music…and Grease mash-ups. Cavern – showcasing both local and international bands. It’s even seen the likes of Coldplay! Cardiac hill – the hill that makes you resent living in Birks, or having friends that live there! The Cosy Club – this relatively new bar takes “quirky” to the next level…you’ll have to check it out!
D – Double Locks – beautiful pub situated on the canal with a nice grassy area for lazy summer days. Dawlish Warren – not technically “Exeter” but close enough. A visit to this lovely little beach resort is a must-do before you leave, and just a train ride away…
E – Exeter Chiefs Rugby Club – in nearby Digby & Sowton for the Rugby fans. Exmouth – Exeter students definitely luck out with the close proximity to various beaches and this one’s sandy! Make sure you get some fish and chips while you’re at it.
F- Forum – that massively expensive structure that the Queen officially opened in 2012…hard to miss.
G- Guildhall – “Exeter’s Guildhall is claimed to be England’s oldest civic building still in use.” I just thought it was a shopping centre, but apparently there’s more to it…
H- Harry’s Restaurant on Longbrook Street, is a favourite with students (especially when the parentals come down) and always books up early. Harry’s Bar & Grill is located just behind TP for the steak lovers. Holland Hall – for the ultimate view across Exeter, and luxury student accommodation. The House That Moved. Apparently it’s a house on Edmund street with a pretty fascinating history…
I- The Impy – Wetherspoon’s pub with a huge beer garden, and a conservatory which looks like a former railway station. A firm favourite amongst students, especially the slap up breakfasts and burger and a pint deal for the reasonable price of £5.
J- J.K. Rowling – Exeter alumni who took inspiration from many places in Exeter for Harry Potter.
K- King Billy…yea, about that. Perhaps one of the most uninviting corners of Exeter, with terrible karaoke. A place students will avoid at all costs, despite threatening to walk in whilst drunk.
L- The Lemmy – our favourite Saturday night student club, obviously. Lafrowda (Old Lafrowda has “character”, but is in serious need of a refurb).
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M- Mosaic – populah with the residents of Holland Hall).The Marketplace – expensive place we students stock up on food when obliged to pull all-nighters in the library. The Monkey Suit – the 4th years and beyond will still refer to this cocktail bar as “Amber Rooms”. A common place for a date, with comfy sofas and mood lighting. Private bars upstairs are perfect for parties. Mama Stones – owned by Jos Stone’s Mum. Great place for discovering new musical talent. They also have curry night and shisha. Mill on the Exe – a gorgeous pub down by the quay and a perfect spot for when your parents come to visit!
N- The Northcott Theatre – both student and professional theatre companies have graced the stage of the 400-seater theatre. Northernhay Gardens – there’s a significant stretch of Roman wall here, as well as some stunning views over the city and beyond.
O- The Old Firehouse…pizza, sangria, fairy lights….Leaky Cauldron in Harry Potter.
P – Pennsylvania Road. Puppy Room (during exam time as of September 2014). Princesshay – student lock-in for 20% off discounts on clothes. Powderham Castle – a huge manor nearby with 3500 acres of land and scenic views. Peter Chalk Centre – yep, the one that looks like a spaceship when you’re walking up Forum hill.
Q- The Quay – great place to go running, cobbled pathways, lovely restaurants and cafés, kayaking, and beautiful houses…
R- Russell Seal Fitness Centre – for the gym and sporting enthusiasts. The Ram – for the reasonably priced basket meals and Rameoke. Rococos – originally popular with the “fresh” on Thursdays but now somewhat of a dead-end. Rendez-vous – an intimate wine bar and restaurant in Southernhay for those who want to get away from the hubbub of student life.
S- Sidwell Street (Domino’s anyone?), Steve Smith (Vice-Chancellor), Sex scandals (Needless to say, SSB).
T- Timepiece (or simply TP.) The female dress-code is tiny shorts and sports tops. Trees…Exeter has the highest tree to student ratio in the UK. Topsham – a nearby seaside town with beautiful architecture, quaint cafés and lots of charity shops. Tea on the Green – situated right on the cathedral green, this tea shop offers some of the best cream teas in Exeter and does an unrvialled Sunday roast.
U- Underground passages (aka Catacombs). Umbrellas. Broken ones. Everywhere. South West weather…need I say more? University (ummm…the reason why we are here, surely?)
V- The Victoria Inn (aka The Vic). Quizzes every Tuesday, and popular with students who live in the vicinity.
W- On The Waterfront. This restaurant on the quay has possibly the best pizzas ever. A personal favourite has to be Hoisin Duck…
X- Xmedia: XTV, Xpression, Exeposé, Exepose online. The student media definitely deserves a place on our Exeter alphabet.
Y- Yaroslavi. We were struggling with “Y”, but found out that Yaroslavi is actually a town in Russia that Exeter is “twinned” with – bet you didn’t know that!
Z- Z-listers (aka questionable celebrities.) A good example being Exeter alumni Katie Hopkins, who enjoys aggravating the nation with her obscene social commentary. Z-listers strive to be A-listers, but with little success. Sadly for Katie, A-lister J.K. Rowling (who is absolutely marvellous), wins hands down.
Have any other suggestions for our Exeter alphabet? Comment below!
Photo credits: www.boalingua.ch, www.peterstephens.co.uk, www.static-secure.guim.co.uk, www.pubsulike.co.uk, www.realspin.co.uk, www.davedummettphotography.co.uk, www.mosaicexeter.com, www.screenrant.com, www.stayindevon.co.uk, www.tripadvisor.co.uk, www. devonrestaurants.com