Loraine's Guidebook
Exeter city is close to all sorts of beaches, historic houses & gardens, things to do.
Holly House, on the edge of Exeter City, has easy access to all major routes out of the city into Devon. Devon’s varied coastlines & beaches, only 8 miles to a wildlife beach area and a mini pleasure beach, facilities to stay all day (paid parking).
Dawlish Warren Beach
Beach RoadPowderham Castle
Exeter
Haytor Rocks
18 miles to Dartmoor’s Haytor Rocks, paid & free parking.
From bike hire to canoes, paddle boards and organised boat trips on Exeter Canal is available. 30 minute walk, 10 minute drive away.
30 locals recommend
Saddles & Paddles
The QuayFrom bike hire to canoes, paddle boards and organised boat trips on Exeter Canal is available. 30 minute walk, 10 minute drive away.
Go Ape Haldon (Treetop Challenge, Zip Lines, High Ropes)
Challenge yourself, family or friends to this activity. Great for a wet day activity. (Age 7 and upwards)
23 locals recommend
Clip 'n Climb Exeter
Challenge yourself, family or friends to this activity. Great for a wet day activity. (Age 7 and upwards)
Bear Feet
1 Ashton RdExmouth
Check out the fixtures date. Look out for the Hospitality packages. We had a fantastic family celebration day there.
Exeter Racecourse
Check out the fixtures date. Look out for the Hospitality packages. We had a fantastic family celebration day there.
Exeter Rugby Club
Sandy Park WayNeighbourhood
Only a 10 minute walk to our local pub serving great food. Being on the edge of Exeter, we find that takeaway deliveries all come to Holly House. Our local spar is only a 8 minute walk, and two supermarkets are less then 5 minutes drive away.
Family friendly neighbourhood with play parks. Local amenities in walking distance include A pharmacy, local Spar, the New Inn Pub, Lidl’s, Post Office & newsagents, a Cafe.
Alphington
Family friendly neighbourhood with play parks. Local amenities in walking distance include A pharmacy, local Spar, the New Inn Pub, Lidl’s, Post Office & newsagents, a Cafe.
If no traffic then 15 minutes drive away. There is a scenic bike & walk alongside the river. Plenty of restaurants & pubs & antique shops in Topsham, paid parking available.
106 locals recommend
Topsham
If no traffic then 15 minutes drive away. There is a scenic bike & walk alongside the river. Plenty of restaurants & pubs & antique shops in Topsham, paid parking available.
Sightseeing
Sharpham Winery is only 32 miles away and tour & wine tasting can be booked.
90 locals recommend
Sharpham Wine and Cheese
Waddeton RoadSharpham Winery is only 32 miles away and tour & wine tasting can be booked.
National Marine Aquarium
Only 41 miles away so great for a wet day.
Torquay Seafront
15962 Torbay RdHistoric Mayflower steps is just one of the attractions of Plymouth.
18 locals recommend
Mayflower Steps station
Historic Mayflower steps is just one of the attractions of Plymouth.
Underground Passages
2 Paris StExeter
You can walk here (30 mins along canal or river) limited parking is available. Plenty of restaurants available.
63 locals recommend
Exeter Quay
Haven Banks - The QuayYou can walk here (30 mins along canal or river) limited parking is available. Plenty of restaurants available.
19 miles away to a historic market town, alternative therapies and loads of individual cafes in their small high street.
351 locals recommend
Totnes
19 miles away to a historic market town, alternative therapies and loads of individual cafes in their small high street.
Crealy Theme Park & Resort
Sidmouth RoadPaignton Zoo Environmental Park
Totnes RoadBecky Falls Ancient Woodland Park Limited
Clovelly
63 miles away
Diggerland
My grandchildren enjoy having an afternoon out. 14 miles away.
Eden Project
Makes a great day trip. 72 miles
Stuart Line Cruises
Pier HeadAt Exmouth pier, 12 miles away. Check out the trips.
Dartmouth
Killerton House
Summer concerts
Jurassic Coast
Buckfast Butterfly Farm and Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary
Dart Bridge RoadFood scene
Plenty of Eateries in Exeter city centre ( mainly paid parking some after 6 free spaces). Listed below are ones easily accessible from Holly House, avoiding the worst of summer traffic. Most takeaways will deliver to us.
Orange Elephant Ice Cream Parlour
111 Brenton RdFor a real treat on Friday to Sunday (10am to 5pm)
New Inn Alphington
76 Church RdOnly a 10 minute walk from Holly House.
Frankie & Benny's
Ashton Road5 minutes drive away
Nando's Exeter Marsh Barton
Marsh Barton Road5 mins drive away
McDonald's
Unit 8 Marsh Barton Road6 minute miles
Starbucks
Unit 9 Alphington Road6 minutes drive away
Costa Coffee
6 minutes drive
American diner experience only 11 minutes drive on Halfon Hill, Off the A30, so avoids going into Exeter city.
Route 5
Devon ExpresswayAmerican diner experience only 11 minutes drive on Halfon Hill, Off the A30, so avoids going into Exeter city.
The Twisted Oak
Little Johns Cross Hill9 minutes drive or a leisurely 35 minutes walk away.
Our favourite Indian restaurant & takeaway (and delivery). 2.5 miles away (11 minutes drive) next to St David’s train station, paid parking available & some free spaces).
Karma
Station ApproachOur favourite Indian restaurant & takeaway (and delivery). 2.5 miles away (11 minutes drive) next to St David’s train station, paid parking available & some free spaces).
Less than 5 minutes away, 25 minutes walk, Bar meals or formal sit down formal dining. Fantastic carvery. Great for celebrations.
Carriages
Old Matford LaneLess than 5 minutes away, 25 minutes walk, Bar meals or formal sit down formal dining. Fantastic carvery. Great for celebrations.
The Huntsman Inn
2 High Street6 minutes drive away in IDE.
8 miles away (16 minutes drive) Beer garden, olde worldly pub with over 250 wines and 240 whiskey available & food. Check website re opening hours
28 locals recommend
The Nobody Inn
8 miles away (16 minutes drive) Beer garden, olde worldly pub with over 250 wines and 240 whiskey available & food. Check website re opening hours
Cat and Fiddle station
Great for families with children or family gatherings. 8 miles away.
Don’t forget to try a ‘Clotted Cream Tea’. For a very traditional experience, it’s well worth the hour drive away, but plenty more Tea rooms are closer.
Southern Cross Devon Guesthouse and Tea Rooms
High StreetDon’t forget to try a ‘Clotted Cream Tea’. For a very traditional experience, it’s well worth the hour drive away, but plenty more Tea rooms are closer.
City advice
Getting around
Exeter city, less than 2 miles away but traffic can be busy
Allow plenty of time in peak travel times and parking in town. We are close to a bus stop, nearby there is a park & ride in Marsh Barton and it’s only 30 minutes to walk in alongside the canal or river walk.