Exeter's Red Coat Guided Tours
Daily Tour Programme 2021/2022
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 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.
- All tours must be booked in advance, and by midnight of the day before.
- The number of people per tour is limited.
- Face coverings are not mandatory but strongly recommended.
- A social distance of 2 metres is recommended.
- Do not attend a tour if you are feeling unwell
- Tours will only enter sites or properties that are Covid secure.
- Please do not just turn up to a tour if you have not booked, the guide will not let you join the tour.
Enquiries:
Custom House Visitor Centre, The Quay Exeter EX2 4AN
T:01392 271611 E:customhouse@exeter.gov.uk
Daily Tour Programme: 1 July - 31 October 2021
Booking for the tours listed below is not available until Monday 21 June 2021
Monday 11.00am & Friday 11.00am
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.
Monday 2.00pm
An entertaining wander through areas in and around the city centre, intertwining some of its historical details with some of its stranger or more unusual facts, with a few surprises along the way. This tour finishes in Cathedral Close.
Tuesday 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. Tuesday’s tour finishes outside St. Nicholas Priory and Thursday’s tour finishes outside Tuckers Hall on Fore Street.
Tuesday 2.00pm & Thursday 2.00pm
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.
Tuesday 2.30pm
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.
Wednesday 11.00am & Saturday 2.00pm
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.
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
Wednesday 2.30pm
From the quiet and tranquillity of the Cathedral Close to the hustle and bustle of the High Street, follow the development of Exeter from Roman times to the present day. This circular tour ends outside the Devon and Exeter Institution which occupies one of Exeter’s historic buildings and houses some of the city’s most important books and literature, and will be open to the public.
Thursday 2.30pm & Sunday 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.
Thursday 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.
Friday 2.00pm
This tour looks at buildings which survive from the Tudor period and gives an idea of what life was like for the citizens of Exeter during this turbulent period .Finishes on the Historic Quayside
Saturday 11.00am (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.
Sunday 11.00am (2 hours)
Discover the fascinating history of the City Wall which dates back to Roman times. Despite attacks by Vikings, William the Conqueror, King Stephen, Perkin Warbeck, Cornishmen in the Prayer Book Rebellion and both sides in the English Civil War, 70% remains standing. Finishes in the city centre.
All tours must be booked in advance, and by midnight of the day before.
Red Coat Guided Tours - Winter Programme
From Monday 1 November 2021 until Thursday 31 March 2022
available for booking from Monday 18 October 2021
Monday 11am & Thursday 11am
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. Tuesday’s tour finishes outside St. Nicholas Priory and Thursday’s tour finishes outside Tuckers Hall on Fore Street
Tuesday 11am & Friday 11am
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.
Tuesday 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.
Wednesday 11am & Saturday 11am
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 Close and Bishop's Palace Gardens
Wednesday 2pm
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
Thursday 2pm & Sunday 2pm
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.
Saturday 2pm
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.
Sunday 11am
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.