Exeter's free Red Coat guided tours are the perfect way to explore the city
Published: 23 January 2023
Residents and visitors are being reminded that they can discover more about 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 on the tour and may be subject to cancellation without notice, there is a limit to the number of people that can join each tour.
The walking tours depart from the Hooker Statue on Cathedral Green and last approximately 90 minutes. All tours start promptly at the time advertised. Online booking is no longer required for our tours.
Only assistance dogs are permitted on tours, and children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Group bookings are restricted to five spaces per booking, and only one booking per tour. To make a group email guidedtours@exeter.gov.uk.
Our Tour Programme for 1 November 2022 to 31 March 2023
Forgotten Exeter - 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. 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 2pm, Wednesday 11am & 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 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.
Georgian Exeter - Tuesday 2pm
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 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.
Cathedral Close & Bishop's Palace Garden - 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.
This tour is not accessible to wheelchairs & mobility scooters
Exeter Old & New - Thursday 2pm & Saturday 11am
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 2pm & Sunday 2pm (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 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.