Exeter's Red Coat Guided Tours
Red Coats Guided Tours Programme
Discover one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in England with Exeter’s Red Coat Guides.
These FREE guided walking tours operate daily throughout the year, offering a wide range from which to choose.
Meet your Red Coat Guide at the starting point and discover historic Exeter for yourself.
Tours will only run with at least 2 people, and may be subject to cancellation or alteration without notice, including Met Office Red Weather Warnings. Maximum numbers may be limited for safety at the guides discretion.
There is no need to book in advance.
Our walking tours depart from the Hooker Statue on Cathedral Green (apart from the Historic Quayside tour and Canal Boat tour) and last approximately 90 minutes, unless otherwise stated.
Exeter's Historic Quayside and Canal Boat Tour depart from the Custom House Visitor Centre on Exeter's Quay.
All tours start promptly at the time advertised.
Only assistance dogs are permitted to accompany owners on the tours.
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Adults remain in charge of the children and are responsible for their care and control.
Some tours contain steps, slopes, and steep or rough ground.
All tours except for the Canal Trip, Churches, Cemeteries and the Catacomb, Cathedral Close & Bishop's Palace Garden, Cathedral to Quay, and Forgotten Exeter are accessible by wheelchair and mobility scooter, or have an alternative route.
GROUPS TOURS & TALKS
Red Coat Group Tours, Coach Commentaries and Illustrated Talks
Organised groups of 6+ with a leader must be booked in advance through Exeter Tickets and will incur a charge. Please do not just turn up.
A minimum of 14 days' notice is required.
If you wish to make a group booking, please contact redcoat.admin@exeter.gov.uk
SPECIAL TOURS
Online booking essential in advance
All special tours start at the Devon War Memorial on Cathedral Green unless otherwise stated.
Saturday 31 October
Thursday 4 March
Monday 8 March
Enquiries:
Exeter's Red Coat Guides, Exeter Tickets, 89 Fore Street, Exeter EX4 3HX
T: 01392 265866 Email: redcoat.admin@exeter.gov.uk
WINTER PROGRAMME
1 October 2026 - 31 March 2027
No tours on 25 and 26 December. Mystery tour on 24 December and 1 January.
Throughout the period of Exeter Cathedral’s Christmas Market all tours (unless stated otherwise) will start outside the Devon & Exeter Institution, No 7 Cathedral Close.
|
Day |
Tour (approximately 90 minutes) |
Start time |
|
Monday |
Introducing Exeter |
11.00am |
|
|
Cathedral to Quay |
2.00pm |
|
Tuesday |
Exeter Old & New |
11.00am |
|
|
1500 years of Royalty in Exeter |
2.00pm |
|
|
Ghosts & Legends |
7.00pm |
|
Wednesday |
City Wall (2 hours) |
11.00am |
|
|
Cathedral Close & Bishop’s Palace Garden** |
2.00pm |
|
Thursday |
Forgotten Exeter & Tuckers Hall |
11.00am |
|
|
Medieval Exeter |
2.00pm |
|
Friday |
Cathedral to Quay |
11.00am |
|
|
Tudor Exeter |
2.00pm |
|
Saturday |
Medieval Exeter |
11.00am |
|
|
Georgian Exeter |
2.00pm |
|
Sunday |
Exeter’s Historic Quayside |
11.00am |
|
|
Forgotten Exeter and St Nicholas Priory |
2.00pm |
** Access to the Bishop’s Palace Garden may be restricted at short notice
Introducing Exeter (1 hour)
This circular taster tour does exactly what it says in the title; glimpses of over 2,000 years of history and introducing visitors to Exeter of its rich and varied past.
Cathedral to Quay
Starting in picturesque Cathedral Close, proceed into elegant Southernhay before viewing the impressive city wall. Continue down to the river and Exeter’s Historic Quayside.
Exeter Old & New
Learn about Exeter’s history from pre-Roman times to the present day. Visit the 11th century Castle Gatehouse, probably Britain’s oldest Norman building, and Northernhay Gardens, the first public gardens in the country.
1500 years of Royalty in Exeter
This tour that highlights visits to the city by Royalty, from Alfred the Great in the 9th century through to the present day. And they weren't all gracious visits!
Ghosts & Legends
Learn why Exeter is reputed to be one of the most haunted cities in England and hear some chilling tales from the past. Suitable for all ages.
Exeter's City Wall (2 hours)
Discover the fabulous history of the Roman's City wall, of which 70% still remains. Some uneven surfaces and steep slopes.
Cathedral Close & Bishop's Palace Garden
Learn how the buildings in the Close have evolved through time, and visit the peaceful private gardens.
Forgotten Exeter
Discover some hidden curiosities in the Northwest corner of the city.
Sunday's tour finishes outside St. Nicholas Priory and Thursday’s tour finishes outside Tuckers Hall on Fore Street.
Tudor Exeter
Discover what life in Exeter was like in Tudor times and see some of the surviving buildings from the turbulent Tudor period.
Medieval Exeter
This tour celebrates the time when Exeter grew rich from the woollen cloth trade. See many of the surviving medieval buildings, including ‘the house that moved’, then walk across the Medieval Exe Bridge to view the restored Cricklepit Mill. The tour finishes on Exeter’s Historic Quayside.
Georgian Exeter
Hear how Exeter’s transformation came about, from industrial hub into an elegant Georgian city. Discover how trade was replaced with commerce. Explore the architectural splendours of Southernhay and find out about some of the colourful characters that resided in Exeter at the time. This tour finishes in Princesshay.
Exeter's Historic Quayside
Starting at the Custom House, discover the port of Exeter, once one of Britain's busiest, and hear about its fascinating history. Stroll out and back along the river and canal and finish at the Custom House.
Interested in becoming a Red Coat Guide? Please contact: redcoat.admin@exeter.gov.uk
Enquiries: Exeter Tickets, 89 Fore Street, Exeter, Devon, EX4 3HX
Tel: 01392 665938
Email: redcoat.admin@exeter.gov.uk