| Important Information about London to Exeter Day Trip | |
|---|---|
| Duration of Trip | 1 Day |
| Best Time to visit | November-February |
| Type of Trip | Road Trip |
| What is Exeter Famous for | Cathedrals, prehistoric marvels & beaches |
Best attractions on the trip from London to Exeter by Car Rental
Millions of people visit London annually and thousands of these people plan the trips with at least one day trip from London. Some people choose to visit Cotswold or Stonehenge, while some people plan a day trip to Oxford. In this post we are covering a one day itinerary for a drive that starts in London and ends in Exeter which just like Oxford is home to a world renowned university and dates back to the Roman times. Exeter is a great place to visit, it has a cathedral, a classy museum & art gallery and a medieval underground passage – everything that makes it so intriguing and fascinating.
Make sure you rent a car, without a car, you will not be able to stop and enjoy all the places that are there to see on the drive.
1. Portsmouth, Hampshire
The very first stop on the drive from London to Exeter drive is Portsmouth, Hampshire. Though it is not located directly along the road to Exeter, it is still a great place to visit and must be part of your itinerary.
Rich in history, Portsmouth is a port city in Hampshire and is located on its island. It is a naval base and its most noted attraction is the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, where you will get the privilege to see the Tudor ship Mary Rose which first saw the light of the day in 1511. HMS Victory is another historically important ship that you must see while visiting Portsmouth Historic Dockyard; launched in 1765, it was used in the Battle of Trafalgar by Admiral Lord Nelson.
2. Southampton, Hampshire
If you want to stay on the road from London to Exeter, then Southampton is the first stop. Just like Portsmouth, it is another UK’s port city which is also big on history. It is the city from whose port the famous ship Titanic started its first and the last journey. In addition to history, Southampton is loaded with charming places like museums, pubs, cafes, and restaurants. People usually spend 1 or 2 hours in Southampton.
3. Salisbury, Wiltshire
The drive from Southampton to Salisbury is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. Though the biggest attraction in the city is its Cathedral, it is not the only place in Salisbury. However, it is a good idea to visit Salisbury Cathedral first, an Anglican cathedral which was formerly known as the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary; it took 38 years to build the cathedral in the 13th century.
After that visit Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum & catch on everything that you need to know about the city’s glorious history that dates back to 3000 BCE. If you are a real history buff, you should not miss the oldest public house in Salisbury – the Haunch of Venison. Spend 3 hours and make sure you have something to eat before hitting the road again.
4. Stonehenge
Located just half an hour’s ride from Salisbury, Stonehenge is a must visit. The fact that it is the oldest neolithic landmark in the country, makes it a once in a lifetime experience on the way from London to Exeter you should not miss at any costs.
It is believed that it was constructed from 3000 BC to 2000 BC and it has been UNESCO’S World Heritage Site since 1986. There is an entry fee and do visit its visitor center for detailed information on this world class archaeological site.
5. Bournemouth, Dorset
If you would like to visit a seaside destination in the UK, there is no better place than Bournemouth. It makes for an excellent sto on the way from London to Exeter. The drive from Stonehenge to Bournemouth will take about an hour to complete.
Though its sandy beach is the highlight, the town in itself is worth exploring. If you fancy a pint, do check out one of its pubs.
6. Explore beautiful Locations of Weymouth
Located about an hours drive away from Bournemouth, Weymouth is another great stop on the drive from London to Exeter. Quaint and smaller than Bournemouth, Weymouth is a lovely seaside town which is known for its beaches and the Jurassic Coast where you will be able to see the beaches with thousands of fossils scattered around.
7. Discover Exeter City
After Weymouth, there is one more location on the way that you can stop at before moving on to Exeter if you want to – Bridport.
The drive from Weymouth to Exeter is about 1.5 hours long, so it will be best if you break the drive at Bridport. On reaching Exeter have dinner, stay the night in the city and spend the next day exploring the city. Here is a list of places you can visit in exeter in a day:
- Exeter Cathedral
- Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery
- Underground Passages
- Northernhay Gardens
- Crealy Theme Park & Resort
- The Quay Climbing Centre
- Rougemont Gardens
Best Places for accomodation in Exeter?
- Jurys Inn Exeter Hotel
- Southernhay House Hotel