Exeter's Red Coat Guided Tours
Throughout the duration of the Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market all Red Coat Guided tours (other than the Historic Quayside on Sundays) will start from outside the Devon & Exeter Institution, 7 Cathedral Close, EX1 1EZ.
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 go ahead with a minimum of two people, may only exceed 15 people at the guide's discretion and may be subject to cancellation without notice.
Our walking tours depart from the Hooker Statue on Cathedral Green (apart from the Historic Quayside tour) and last approximately 90 minutes, unless otherwise stated. All tours start promptly at the time advertised.
Only assistance dogs are permitted on tours, and children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
GROUPS TOURS & TALKS
Red Coat Group Tours, Coach Commentaries and Illustrated Talks
Please note that there is a restriction of 5 spaces per booking and only one booking per tour
Groups of 6 or more are not permitted on public tours. Group Tours, Coach Commentaries and Talks must be booked in advance and incur a small charge. A minimum of 14 days' notice is required.
If you wish to make a group booking, please contact guidedtours@exeter.gov.uk
SPECIAL TOURS
Online booking essential in advance
All special tours start at the Hooker Statue on Cathedral Green unless otherwise stated.
Royalty in Exeter
Tuesday 14 November @11.15am
A new tour that highlights visits to the city by Royalty, from Alfred the Great in the 9th century to Queen Elizabeth II, and they weren't all gracious visits!
Red Coat Mystery Tour
Sunday 24 December & Monday 1 January @ 11am
Only the guide knows where this tour will take you! Starts at the Hooker Statue and ends in the City Centre or the Quay.
Writers Around Exeter
Thursday 7 March 2024 @11.15am
Celebrate World Book Day with a new tour that highlights Exeter's literary connections.
Enquiries:
Exeter's Red Coat Guides, Exeter Tickets, 89 Fore Street, Exeter EX4 3HX
T: 01392 265866 Email: redcoat.admin@exeter.gov.uk
Custom House Visitor Centre, The Quay Exeter EX2 4AN
T:01392 271611 Email: customhouse@exeter.gov.uk
WINTER PROGRAMME 2023/2024
1 November 2023 – 31 March 2024
Daily Tour Programme until 31 March 2024
Please note that online booking is no longer required.
Between 16 November and 17 December all tours (unless stated otherwise) will start outside the Devon & Exeter Institution, No 7 Cathedral Close
Forgotten Exeter
Monday 11.00am & Thursday 11.00am
Be intrigued by hidden corners and curios of the city, long since gone from memory. The tour is mainly focused on the North West corner of the city within the city walls. Monday's tour finishes outside St. Nicholas Priory and Thursday’s tour finishes outside Tuckers Hall on Fore Street.
This tour is not accessible to wheelchairs & mobility scooters
Medieval Exeter
Monday 2.00pm, Wednesday 11.00am & Saturday 2pm
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.
Cathedral to Quay
Tuesday 11.00am & Friday 11.00am
Starting in the picturesque Cathedral Close, proceed into elegant Southernhay before viewing the impressive city wall. The tour then continues to the river Exe and finishes on Exeter’s Historic Quayside.
Georgian Exeter
Tuesday 2.00pm
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.
Ghosts & Legends
Tuesday 7.00pm
Find out why Exeter is reputed to be one of the most haunted cities in the country. Visit many of Exeter’s historic buildings and listen to chilling tales about their ghostly history. Suitable for all ages.
Cathedral Close & Bishop's Palace Garden
Wednesday 2.00pm
See how the buildings in Cathedral Close have evolved through time before exploring a section of the City Wall and entering the Bishop's Palace Garden itself, enjoying unique views of the Cathedral and learning of the development of the Palace and its uses over 800 years. This tour finishes on Cathedral Close
This tour is not accessible to wheelchairs & mobility scooters
Exeter Old & New
Thursday 2.00pm & Saturday 11.00am
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.
Introducing Exeter
Friday 2.00pm & Sunday 2.00pm (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.
Exeter’s Historic Quayside
Sunday 11.00am
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.
Please note that online booking is no longer required.
If you wish to make a group booking, please contact guidedtours@exeter.gov.uk