10 THINGS EXETER STUDENTS MUST DO THIS SUMMER

By Student Cribs | February 21, 2024 | Reading Time: 7 minutes

For most students the best part of the academic year has to be the summer term. Lectures are over, end of year exams are out the way and its just weeks and weeks of work-free fun for you and your housemates. Exeter offers a lot to students especially in the summer term, both in the town and out in the Devon countryside. Whether you want to explore a new beach, go for drinks or attend a summer ball, we’ve comprised the ultimate summer bucket list for Exeter students.

1. Exmouth Beach

Every Exeter student has to take a trip to Exmouth. Only a 30 minute train journey away, this beautiful beach is perfect for a summer evening barbecue. Everything Exeter students need is in close proximity; plenty of fish and chip shops nearby to choose from, a little kiosk café selling ice-creams and ice-lollies as well as warm drinks, and even public toilets just across from the beach. Warning: seagulls guaranteed at the beach, so make sure you look after your fish and chips!

2. Attend the Enchanted Garden Ball

The Enchanted Garden Ball (EGB) is the event of of the summer for Exeter students. This annual party filled with decadence and magic marks the end of term and the start of a long summer. Set in the picturesque lakeside Gardens of Shobrooke Park , the ball is set in acres of beautiful rolling hills. Due to its popularity amongst Exeter students, tickets sell out within seconds. Filled with lots of fun fair rides, vibrant music and surprises around every corner, this is one not to miss out on. The dress code is ‘wonderfully formal’ so make sure you wear your finest summer attire on the 3rd June for this enchanting masquerade. This has to be at the top of Exeter students bucket lists for the summer.

3. Explore Exeter Quayside

Exeter quayside is a thriving community of activity; bustling with craft shops, cafes and bars. For something more active, why not explore the quays by boat! Various water sports centres such as Saddles & Paddles and Kayakhub offer kayak, canoe and paddle board hire right on the quayside at affordable student prices. This fun-filled activity is the perfect way for Exeter students to enjoy the sunny waterfront in the summer term.

4. Picnic at the Cathedral Green

The Cathedral Green is in the heart of Exeter town.  Always bustling with Exeter students, this is the spot for your summer picnic. Grab a meal deal from the local Tesco and enjoy the sun on the green. Relax with a book or gather your flat mates for a delicious picnic. This simple but sweet activity has to be a must for students in Exeter this summer.

5. Hijacked Festival

Every Exeter student must experience Hijacked, Exeter’s music and cultural festival. This is, the ultimate party to start off the long summer, this year being hosted at the picturesque location of Double Locks. Exeter students can expect incredible headline acts including global stars, an array of impressive stages and delicious food and drink.

6. Dawlish Warren

Dawlish Warren is a popular seaside resort among Exeter students, located just South of Exeter and only 25 minutes on the train from Exeter St David’s station. This beach offers miles and miles of soft white sands, overlooked by distinct sand dunes with a quiet nature reserve nearby with plenty of food spots in the vicinity, this makes Dawlish an ideal destination for Exeter students to make a day trip to. Alternatively if the weather isn’t on your side, the town is bustling with activity, why not get creative and try pottery painting with your housemates.

7. Beer Gardens

It wouldn’t be British summertime without everyone flooding to the beer gardens. Uni students are no exception, we can’t get enough of a beer garden in the summer! The Imperial, commonly known as ‘Impy’, located on New North road, is, conveniently close to first year accommodation. The extensive outdoor grass  space is  dotted with picnic benches, making this Weatherspoon’s ideal for Exeter uni students to socialise in the sun while keeping within the student budget. Enjoy a cocktail or pint in the sun with your flatmates at this scenic beer garden in the summer.

8. Bottomless Brunch at Turtle Bay

Every Exeter student has to try bottomless brunch this summer! Turtle Bay offers the ultimate boozy bottomless brunch, full of exotic mouth-watering Caribbean dishes and endless delicious cocktails. This includes 2 hours of unlimited cocktails and any brunch dish, burger or roti at the price of £31.50 per person. This fun filled brunch  has to be near the top of every Exeter students bucket list this summer.

9. Dartmoor National Park

If you want to escape from the city, this national park is only a 40 minute drive away from Exeter. Dartmoor is a wild open moorland consisting of forests, rivers, wetlands and waterfalls. Here you will discover rich cultural history from the Bronze age as well as rare wildlife with ponies roaming around. Becky falls ancient woodland park is a popular tourist attraction, filled with wildlife around the spectacular waterfalls.

10. Hire Bikes from Barnstable

Another great way for Exeter students to  enjoy the beautiful countryside is by going on a cycle route. Take the train to Barnstable, where you can hire bikes at an affordable price at the station. The nearby route follows a path along a peaceful coastal path all the way to the quaint seaside village of Instowe. Here you can have an explore and enjoy an ice cream on the beach before heading back. This is an active way of exploring the seaside area of Devon and a must for students in Exeter this summer.  

And there we have it, the ultimate summer bucket list for Exeter students. So whether its your first summer in Exeter or your final summer before graduating, make sure you’ve ticked off all the best things for Exeter students to do in the summer!

This blog was written by Florence Henderson at the University of Exeter.

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