EXETER Shopping Guide

If you like shopping, Exeter has the shops to satisfy everybody's taste. The main shopping centre is extensively pedestrianised and is served well by the bus services, which includes the park & ride scheme. There is pay and display street parking available in certain areas, this together with the many car parks, offers the motorists a choice of parking areas within easy reach of the city centre.

Exeter in one of the major cities of Devon so its no surprise it should offer some of the county’s most extensive shopping facilities. There is a good selection of quality shops and the historic medieval streets and lanes make it a pleasant experience. Exeter has all the usual big name shops found on the High Street, and Dingles – Exeter’s very own department store – is worth a visit. Exeter has two covered shopping centres; the Guildhall and Harlequins Shopping Centres both have a good range of top name stores. Exeter is also a good source of smaller, specialist outlets; the attractive cobbled Gandy Street is home to several arts and crafts shops, and the Quayside and Exeter Crafts Guild also feature a number of specialist outlets. There are two main markets in Exeter - the weekday street market on Sidwell Street is a good for fresh produce, and the High Street has its own weekly farmers’ market every Thursday.

Exeter is undergoing a revamp to the princesshay area, which will eventually add again to Exeter's shopping appeal. The work is being developed by Land Securities and will create new shops, restaurants, cafes and homes. The work involves an area of some 530,000 square feet and should provide fifty new shops when work is completed before Christmas 2007.

Exeter High Street

All your favourite high street stores are here starting with Debenhams (strictly speaking in Sidwell Street but marking the start of the High Street), Dingles, Marks and Spencer and Boots sure to be popular for clothes, household gifts and perfumes and Office, a popular shoe shop.

Other shops include Next, River Island, Monsoon, Dorothy Perkins Opposite Next, is McGaheys – an independent pipe-smokers shop.

Going from the top of the High Street by Boots and walking towards Dingles:

Turn right off the High Street for Gandy Street or, further down, Queen Street then further still North Street.

Turn left off the High Street into Martin's Lane for Cathedral Close or, further down into South Street.

At the junction with South and North Streets, the High Street leads on down to Fore Street.

Sidwell Street

Sidwell Street has Burtons , Ivor Doble Jewellers, Percy's (for materials, ribbons and sewing items) and Panters which has a reputation for quality goods such as sheets, duvet covers and gifts.

Gandy Street

Gandy Street is a quaint cobled stree which has a range of small shops and is the place to find unusual jewellery, rare collectors' records, ballet and dance accessories and interesting clothes and accessories. Garnish and Winkle, Moko and Mounts Bay Trading have appealing items too. For that special outfit, try Gardners Clothing for men and Willies or White Stuff for women.

Whilst here, the wine bars and cafes offer a convenient stopping-off place.

Queen Street

Effings in Queen Street has a superb selection of quality food – including local meats and delicious locally-made Brownes chocolates. Down the street, just the other side of Central Station's entrance and next to the popular Juice Moose, is Jenniflower, an independent florist.

You can also visit the museum in Queen Street – the shop there has objects from around the world. And opposite the Museum is Toot Garook which has an eclectic mix of items ranging from kimonos to cushions and forks to furniture.

You can gain access to both the Guildhall Shopping Centre (between Brufords jewellers and WH Smith) and the Harlequins Centre (look out for Habitat's courtyard entrance)

The Guildhall Shopping Centre

As well as large shops such as WH Smith, Woolworth's, Argos and Mothercare, there are smaller shops in this largely undercover shopping centre. Upstairs you might find something nostalgic here in the rare book shop like a 1950s Rupert Annual perhaps or you can pause for a snack in Fern's or O'Brien's.

The Guildhall Centre connects up with the Harlequins Centre – follow the route from beside Mothercare.

Cathedral Yard and Cathedral Close

A wide range of shops in an area well known for its cafes and restaurants. The Edinburgh Wool Shop has jumpers galore, Waterstone's has books on every subject and DuBarry's, Orvis and Luget's have superb clothes and interesting presents. The SPCK bookshop on the corner of Cathedral Yard and Martin's Lane can supply Christian books as well as calendars, postcards and candles etc..

In Deanery Place (just past the west front of the Cathedral and opposite the entrance to the Refectory cafe) is domani antique & contemporary, selling quality antique furniture with contemporary ironwork, art, ceramics & glass.

The Quayside

Not just the location for a summer stroll, Exeter quayside is home to several antiques, craft shops and cafes.

Fore Street

Beginning at British Home Stores (BHS), Fore Street is a real favourite, especially for young people. Thomas Moores has a large range of toys and clothes including school uniforms. Taunton Leisure, Moorland Rambler Ltd and The Kit Shop has the best walking and camping equipment. In McCoy's Arcade is the popular Mansons Guitar Shop. The Real McCoy specialises in retro clothing and nearby Bunyip Beads and Buttons is popular with young ladies. Also in Fore Street is Airtime - treat the children to 'real toys' like yoyos, kites and juggling balls this year!

Here are a few shops that are worth the extra walk:

Bon Gout, Magdalen Road – for special food treats (Whilst in Magdalen Road, check out Piper's Farm butchers and a real wet fish shop, Gibson's, too)

The Model Shop, St David's Hill – to please all those out there with train sets - a wide range of accessories available

Exeter Angling Centre, Smythen Street (between Preston Street and Western Way) is one of the leading Fishing Tackle Suppliers in the country.

Topsham

For a shopping excursion with a difference, visit the picturesque town of Topsham set on the banks of the River Exe. There are regular trains and buses from the centre of Exeter.

Exeter is undergoing a huge revamp to the princesshay area, which will eventually add again to Exeter's shopping appeal. The work is being developed by Land Securities and will create new shops, restaurants, cafes and homes. The work involves an area of some 530,000 square feet and should provide fifty new shops when work is completed before Christmas 2007.

High Street

Fore Street

Cathedral Close

Gandy Street

North Street

Queen Street

Paris Street

Bedford Street

Princesshay Guildhall Shopping Centre

Harlequins South Street

Exebridge Retail Park

Rydon Lane Retail Park

Marsh Barton

Sidwell Street