Exeter - The Oldest City in Britain

Exeter has a claim to being the oldest city in the United Kingdom, and there has been a large settlement at the point where the modern city lies for at least two thousand years, since the Romans founded a garrison at the most southerly fording point of the River Exe. These days, it is mostly tourism that underpins the economy of this pleasant Devonshire city, and this has led to it becoming a place that really welcomes visitors, and has plenty to offer no matter what the interests are.

For many of the people who travel to Exeter, the main attraction of a visit to the city is the opportunity to see the many historic buildings and sites close by. Although the current Exeter cathedral dates from the Middle Ages, the building has existed in one form or another for more than a thousand years, and there are plenty of parts of the original church still visible to give you an insight into how people worshipped in the year 1000AD.

Some of the Roman ruins outside the city center are surprisingly well preserved including a number of impressive villas and a piece of road that looks as though it was laid ten years ago rather than two thousand years ago.

Exeter lies within easy reach of some of the best beaches in the south of England. Exmouth is around ten miles away to the south on the coast, and aside from being a lovely and picturesque natural harbor, is also home to a number of long sandy beaches that are absolutely perfect on a sunny day. Exmouth, along with several nearby resorts called Torquay and Torbay makes up the so called English Riviera, where you get the best weather in the country, and by fat the prettiest beaches. This part of the country is home to a number of exclusive golf resorts overlooking the sea where you can spend a pleasant week enjoying the scenery and playing a few rounds of golf.

In the last few years, the University of Exeter has enlarged significantly, and this change in the number of students in the city has led to many more bars and clubs opening. While Exeter has always been the main nightlife center in southern Devon, until recently it did not necessarily offer the best bars and clubs. Now, with more choice and a great deal of investment, the quality is much better, and Exeter has been recommended as a good place to enjoy a night out.