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 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.
Heritage Open Days: 6-15 September 2024
Friday 6 September at 2.30pm
Tuesday 10 September at 11.15am
Friday 13 September at 2.20pm
Saturday 14 September at 2.30pm
Sunday 15 September at 11.15am
Monday 9 September at 11.15am
Wednesday 11 September at 11.15am
HOD - Special Talk
Tales of the Land and Songs of the See
at Custom House Visitor Centre
Sunday 8 September at 2pm
GROUPS TOURS & TALKS
Red Coat Group Tours, Coach Commentaries and Illustrated Talks
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.
Thursday 14 November at 11.15am
Tuesday 24 December & Wednesday 1 January at 11am
Thursday 6 March 2025 at 11.15am
Saturday 8 March 2025 at 11.15am
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
SUMMER PROGRAMME 2024
1 April 2024 – 30 September 2024
Daily Tour Programme until 30 September 2024
Tours depart from the Richard Hooker statue on Cathedral Green unless otherwise stated.
|
Day |
Tour (approximately 90 minutes) |
Start time |
|
Monday |
Forgotten Exeter & St Nicholas Priory |
11.00am |
|
|
Tudor Exeter |
11.30am |
|
|
Medieval Exeter |
2.00pm |
|
Tuesday |
Introducing Exeter (1 hour) |
11.00am |
|
|
Exeter’s Historic Quayside |
11.30am |
|
|
Churches, Cemeteries, and the Catacomb* |
2.00pm |
|
Wednesday |
Medieval Exeter |
11.00am |
|
|
Cabal Boat (July – August – 1 hour)** |
11.00am |
|
|
Introducing Exeter (1 hour) |
2.00pm |
|
Thursday |
Forgotten Exeter & Tuckers Hall |
11.00am |
|
|
Exeter Old & New |
11.30pm |
|
|
Market, Merchants & Mariners |
2.00pm |
|
|
Ghosts & Legends |
7.00pm |
|
Friday |
Tudor Exeter |
11.00am |
|
|
Cathedral to Quay |
11.30am |
|
|
Georgina Exeter |
2.00pm |
|
Saturday |
Exeter Old & new |
11.00am |
|
|
Royalty in Exeter |
11.30am |
|
|
Exeter’ Historic Quayside |
2.00pm |
|
Sunday |
Exeter’s City Wall (2 hours) |
11.00am |
|
|
Medieval Exeter |
11.30am |
|
|
Cathedral to Quay |
2.00pm |
* Entry to the Catacomb is dependent on bat activity and may not be possible.
** There is a fee for this tour. Tickets are available on the boat.
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 & Sunday 11.30am
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
Friday 11.30am & Sunday 2pm
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.
Tudor Exeter
Monday 11.30am & Friday 11am
Some of the surviving buildings from the turbulent Tudor period.
Ghosts & Legends
Thursday 7pm
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.
Heart of Exeter and the Devon & Exeter Institute
Wednesday 2pm
From ancient times to present day - discover Exeter on this thought provoking tour.
Exeter Old & New
Thursday 11.30am & 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
Tuesday 11am (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
Tuesday 11.30am & Saturday 2pm
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.
Exeter's City Wall (2 hours)
Wednesday 11.30am & Sunday 11am
Discover the fabulous history of the Roman's City Wall, of which 70% still remains.
Some uneven surfaces and steep slopes.
Churches, Cemeteries & the Catacomb
Tuesday 2pm
Visit some of the city's medieval churches and burial grounds, and, if the bats allow, discover the cathedralesque Victorian Catacombs.
Entry to the catacomb is dependant on bat activity and may not always be possible.
Canal Boat Trip (July - August) 1 hour
Wednesday 11am
A brief description of the Historic Quayside, followed by a 20-minute one-way trip along the canal as far as Double Locks pub. You may wish to buy a return fare on the boat.
There is a fee for this tour. Tickets available from the boat operator.
Tour starts from outside the Custom House Visitor centre
Georgian Exeter
Friday 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.
Markets, Merchants & Mariners
Thursday 2pm
Exeter's commercial prosperity, past and present, will be highlighted by this walk through some of its lesser known areas. It will also introduce you to some truly fascinating characters whose lives contributed to the story of this ancient city.
Royalty in Exeter
Saturday 11.30am
A new tour that highlights visits to the city by Royalty, from Alfred the Great on the 9th century through to the present day. And they weren't all gracious visits!
Please note that online booking is no longer required.
If you wish to make a group booking, please contact guidedtours@exeter.gov.uk
WINTER PROGRAMME 2024/2025
1 October 2024 – 31 March 2025
Daily Tour Programme until 31 March 2025
Please note that online booking is no longer required.
No tours on 25 & 26 December 2024.
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 |
Forgotten Exeter & St Nicholas Priory |
11.00am |
|
|
Medieval Exeter |
2.00pm |
|
Tuesday |
Cathedral to Quay |
11.00am |
|
|
Tudor Exeter |
2.00pm |
|
|
Ghosts & Legends |
7.00pm |
|
Wednesday |
City Wall |
11.00am |
|
|
Cathedral Close & Bishop’s Palace Garden |
2.00pm |
|
Thursday |
Forgotten Exeter & Tuckers Hall |
11.00am |
|
|
Exeter Old & New |
2.00pm |
|
Friday |
Georgian Exeter |
11.00am |
|
|
Cathedral to Quay |
2.00pm |
|
Saturday |
Royalty in Exeter |
11.00am |
|
|
Medieval Exeter |
2.00pm |
|
Sunday |
Exeter’s Historic Quayside |
11.00am |
|
|
Introducing Exeter (1 hour) |
2.00pm |
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 & 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 11am & Friday 2pm
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
Friday 11am
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
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
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.
Tudor Exeter
Tuesday 2pm
Some of the surviving buildings from the turbulent Tudor period.
City Wall
Wednesday 11am
Discover the fabulous history of the Roman's City wall, of which 70% still remains. Some uneven surfaces and steep slopes.
Royalty in Exeter
Saturday 11am
A new 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!
Please note that online booking is no longer required.
If you wish to make a group booking, please contact guidedtours@exeter.gov.uk