A local's guide to Exmouth

Exmouth is a Victorian-era holiday resort with a long beach and promenade. As the name suggests, it sits at the mouth of the River Exe.  Ever since the late 18th century, the town has enjoyed its status as a popular seaside destination drawing in sunseekers from far and wide. 

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About

The beaches

Accommodation

Food and drink

History

Sights

Shopping

About the town:

Exmouth boasts a 2-mile long stretch of beautiful golden sandy beach and many traditional seaside town features. On your visit, you will encounter rows of brightly coloured beach huts, an esplanade and plenty of fish & chip shops and ice cream vendors. Popular with young families, visitors return year-on-year as it is a firm national favourite.  This part of the Devonian coast is home to the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and children will love the possibility of discovering fossils and stomping around in the considerable wake of the dinosaurs who roamed the area millions of years ago. Exmouth is 14.5 miles from the cathedral city of Exeter: an excellent place to visit for shopping, culture, places to eat, walking trails and history, so take a day trip.

The beaches:

Exmouth has a lovely 2-mile long stretch of beach to enjoy and relax along. Red sand and cliffs characterise this stretch of the British coastline. Take a walk along the seafront from Exmouth Marina over the headland to Orcombe Point for some spectacular views down the coast beyond the salt marshes and mud flats of Dawlish Warren and the craggy coast beyond.  The Sandy Bay Coast is also a lovely spot to unwind and catch some sun and play in the water.  Further east is the beach of Budleigh Salterton, with a pebble and soft sand seashore that stretches 2.5 miles between Littleham Cove in the west and Otterham in the east. It is a very picturesque spot to visit and while away the hours when the sun has got its hat on.  Most of the local beaches are dog-friendly, however, check sections of the main beach at Exmouth as some have seasonal restrictions.

The accommodation:

We have a fantastic selection of holiday cottages in Exmouth and across the surrounding area. From dog-friendly cottages, so your pet pooch can come too, to large cottages for all your family and friends, as well as luxury properties with hot tubs, our range of accommodation has something for everyone. Take a look at our collection in Exmouth and across South Devon and book your next stay today!

The food and drink:

Exmouth can be depended on for quality fish and chips! Beyond this popular seaside staple diet, if you love seafood, we recommend a sojourn to Rockfish at the Pier Head. Freshly landed fish and shellfish, grilled, fried and boiled to perfection for a myriad of dishes make this restaurant a must. Millers in the High Street is also a great bet for a quality sit down meal in the centre of town – the owners recommend their Sunday lunch carvery. For something a little bit exotic head into Namaste Himalaya Restaurant for an informal curry. Super spicy!  

The history:

Exmouth is thought to be the oldest seaside resort in Devon. Visitors were drawn in by the views and the salt waters were believed to have medicinal qualities, as were fashionable during Victorian times. When a railway was built connecting the town to Exeter and North Devon in 1861 it marked the beginning of the town’s ‘golden age’ as a traditional English seaside destination.  Many of the buildings were built in the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian periods giving the town its classic seaside town ‘look’. Exmouth was never a major port because the River Exe is too shallow for merchant ships, but it did have a dock until the Marina was built. Sir Walter Raleigh was known to have embarked on many voyages from Exmouth too.

The sights:

Exmouth is a real treasure trove for nature lovers. There are many open spaces and open trails where you can take in the natural wonders of the Devonshire coast.  Beauty spots in Exmouth and the wider area include the Exe Estuary which is heaven for birdwatchers with a great selection of RSPB bird reserves, particular favourites are: Exminster & Powderham and Bowling Green Marsh. It’s a great spot to view waders such as curlews, black-tailed godwits and brent geese. Take a walk along the East Devon Way or the South West Coast Path for a countryside meander with views across the ocean and the red cliffs.  Ladram Bay Swimming Complex is a fun place to head to if you have children in tow, as is the promenade in town which has a good choice of rides and amusements to check out.Other local attractions to visit are the World of Country Life, the Golf Course at Woodbury Park, and a day trip into the centre of Exeter to see the Cathedral, its ancient ruins, the shops and a leisurely stroll and lunch along the River Exe.

The town centre and shopping:

Exmouth has a very select number of independent stores alongside a sprinkling of brand names. Exmouth is the fifth most populous town in Devon, so it has banks, post offices, and all the handy amenities you would expect to find in a town of this size. Exmouth is quite good for antiques and curios – it also has a small cinema showing all the latest Hollywood blockbusters. For a very broad mix of established high street favourites and indies head into Exeter which is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the South West. With theatres, good restaurants and pubs, live venues, night clubs and cinemas it has a rich nightlife too.

With spectacular rural retreats and barn conversions on farmland with a fine choice of beautiful walks and quality eateries, our holiday cottages offer the chance to enjoy everything Exmouth and the wider area have to offer.  Whether you’re a couple with a four-legged friend or a larger group or family, we have self-catering accommodation in Exmouth to suit everyone’s needs. Browse our collection today to feel inspired.