Living in Exeter

Shopping

You could spend hours enjoying the vast and varying collections of items in the clothes shops of the West Quarter, looking at individually made jewellery at The Quay, or running from shop to shop across the cobbles of Gandy Street.

High Street and Princesshay
Gandy Street
The West Quarter
Cathedral Quarter
The Castle Quarter
The Quay

High Street and Princesshay

The High Street, and the recently-completed Princesshay Shopping Centre, house the mainstream brands and department stores. All the stores you’d expect to find in a city, they require little introduction to the hardened shopper.

The Princesshay shopping centre is a brand-new location for several of the country’s most prominent chains and department stores. Next, Topshop, Zara, New Look, Apple, Jane Norman, Debenhams, Schuh, East, Hotel Chocolat, Fat Face, Jack Wills, All Saints, HMV, Coast, Crabtree and Evelyn, Dorothy Perkins, Karen Millen, La Senza, Swarovski, Moss Bros., Neal’s Yard, Oasis and River Island can all be found in and around the complex. There is also a large Post Office.

Some that you may be less familiar with: Cult sells retro clothes as well as all the essentials. The prices are not cheap, but the clothes on offer are fashionable and good quality. Chando’s Deli is hidden in a secluded part of Princesshay to the rear, overlooking Southernhay Gardens. It supplies artisan cheeses, cooked meats, and various luxury foods. Ann Harvey sells casual, daywear, suiting, occasionwear and jewellery.

The High Street is the best place to find all the shops selling all the necessities as well as some luxuries along the way. There’s a Tesco, Boots, Waterstones (you will need books after all, but it shouldn’t be forgotten that often course books are available from Blackwell’s on campus or the library), H&M, Gap, Monsoon, Curry’s, Marks and Spencer’s (food section and all), Starbucks, assorted phone shops, shoe-shops, banks and all the shops you might expect of a city.

The Princesshay shopping centre also includes several restaurants and bars that are full of shoppers in need of a rest and those on a night out after the shops have shut. Cafe Rouge, La Tasca, Strada, Wagamama, and Giraffe whose menu includes food from around the world.

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Gandy Street

Within the city’s designated High Street general area, Gandy Street – a side street paralleling Queen Street – is worth a mention in its own right. Home to some of the most diverse, independent shops in Exeter, and reputed to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter, the cobbled street has a charming charisma that draws shoppers in.

If you’re after a quirky present that you want to be sure the recipient doesn’t own, a favourite place is Moko. Selling ornaments, candles, and assorted objet d’arts, this is an elegant boutique where it’s fun to peruse the more expensive items and pick up one of the bargains while you’re there. Jewellery on Gandy Street is also supplied by Silver Lion Jewellers. The emphasis in this shop is on quality, and the exquisite, if expensive items on offer will catch your eye just as you walk past the front of the shop.

Across the street are branches of White Stuff and Sea Salt for good-quality clothes, and Mount’s Bay Trading Co is a small chain exclusive to Devon and Cornwall. The clothes are all, as you’d expect, that little bit different from the High Street names, so don’t be surprised if you discover something that you never see anywhere else.

Kintamani is a cosmopolitan shop, with an African feel; principally selling wood-carvings, but other furniture and curios too, it’s one of the most distinctive shops on Gandy Street.

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The West Quarter

The fashionable West Quarter, down the gentle slope from the North Street and South Street junction, is home to a large part of Exeter’s thriving population of independent shops. All the shops mentioned below are on Fore Street unless otherwise stated.

McCoy’s Arcade off Fore Street houses some of the city’s most eclectic shops. A cult entertainment retailer, Ace Comics, sells anything from Star Wars t-shirts to South Park figures and assorted superhero comics and anything in between. Rollin’ Stone has cute jewellery and is a must for accessories. If you fancy cheaper, more bohemian stuff then try Bunyip Beads next door for a huge selection of individual necklaces and bracelets. Manson’s is a haven for guitar players and sells everything one could dream of needing, it even supplies Matt Bellamy of Muse with his custom guitars. Other customers have included Led Zeppelin, Oasis and Arctic Monkeys. The Real McCoy is most famous to Exeter residents however, stocking all manner of vintage clothes, hats and accessories. It’s one of Exeter’s gems and should not be missed. Even if you don’t buy anything it’s worth your time to look around at the vast array of things for sale. There is also McCoy’s Cafe in the arcade, which serves drinks and snacks.

While The Real McCoy completes a look and is also useful for fancy-dress items, your first stop for this will be Fantasy World. If you’re invited to a fancy-dress party, and at university you will be invited to a fancy-dress party, the shop has all manner of costumes and accessories to rent or buy.

The colourful Harbour Sports on the corner with Market Street stocks surfy and sporty labels and lots of shoes. Similarly, Salt City is all things to all surfers, selling not just the clothes and accessories but boards and other equipment too. Both shops are useful for serious surfers or just if you like the look, and if it’s the former you might want to join the Exeter University Surf Society.

If budget isn’t an issue you’ll love Cody Outfitters, and even if it is, there are sales where you can pick up a bargain. Cody sells a wide variety of smart casual attire for men. On the other side of the street, Electric Gypsy, is a fashionable, bohemian shop that you’ll find surprisingly reasonable, despite the upmarket appearance from outside. With an emphasis on summery and boho-chic clothing, it’s the perfect place to find that exclusive dress. Rivalling this would be Off The Hook Clothing which is just as individual, but takes on the mantle of a more alternative fashion retailer.

For more alternative shopping, try Blue Banana. Selling clothes as well as accessories it has a vintage feel with a twist. They also have a large selection of badges for a tiny adornment, which are worth a browse. Chuckle Shoes, further down on New Bridge Street, has a staggering range of individual footwear. Be it purple boots or multicoloured pumps, you might just find the shoes you’ve been looking for all your life.

If you’re looking for a bite to eat or something to drink at this end of the city centre, there is a Co-op, and a Subway, but also Hello Sweety – the ultimate pick and mix shop. There are all sorts of traditional favourites and imported classics, and the shop also sells party equipment. If it’s just a drink, but you still have a sweet tooth, try Shaker-Maker. Freshly preparing milkshakes in a great number of varieties, you’ll be a while choosing.

The beauty and potential for outdoor fun around Exeter is reflected in the amount of outdoor and camping specialists in the West Quarter. Outdoor Leisure Centre has tents and assorted camping accessories including apparel and other knick-knacks. A few doors down Fore Street is Taunton Leisure, a large premises that stocks everything an adventurous person needs, with occasional bargains. Across the street Moorland Rambler offers similar products to the other two, so it’s worth shopping around between them to find the best deal.

There are a couple of very useful bookshops, especially for students on a budget. Book Cycle (actually just off Fore Street on West Street) is a charitable shop that allows customers to pay what they like. Packed shelves in bohemian surroundings often yield books used by students on their courses, and the shop is worth a look if you want to pick these up on the cheap. The Read and Return Bookshop is another shop, with a slightly better selection than Book Cycle, that offers some real bargains. Aside from the low price of the books, if you return something you’ve bought from there, you’ll be given 50 per cent of what you paid for it back to spend on a new title.

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Cathedral Quarter

The Cathedral Yard surrounding the green is home to some of the most opulent shops in Exeter. With designer labels and independent retailers are set in the elegant buildings across the cobbles from the grass of the green.

For clothes, Orvis is an upmarket shop with a traditional-sport or country-casual feel to the designs. Du Barry is home to clothes and sandals with a summery look, and generally stocks graceful dresses of the floaty persuasion. If you dress to impress, then Luget’s will furnish you with suits, waistcoats, cravats and all manner of splendid, more exclusive attire.

If its classy handbags and pretty shoes that pique your interest then try Elizabeth Ann, a bright, if small, shop with a great range of distinctive handbags and shoes. The Yard is also home to a branch of Waterstones straddling the Yard and the High Street, an Edinburgh Woolen Mill and numerous restaurants. Besides the Pizza Express and an Ask, there are various independent options such as The Taste of Thailand, or Al Farid Moroccan Tapas.

The Cathedral Green is also the perfect place for afternoon tea, and shop-owners in Exeter certainly provide. No.21 (see ‘Eating Out’) has great views of the Cathedral, and Hanson’s, a restaurant-come-tea rooms has plenty of outside seating for the numerous Exeter days of sitting in the sun. Do not however, neglect the Cathedral Refectory on the opposite side of the cathedral to the green, the setting rivals anything on offer.

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The Castle Quarter

The Castle Quarter, home to three of Exeter’s best bars; Timepiece, Old Timers and Hole in the Wall, is also another location for some of the more upmarket retailers. Michael Spiers Jewellers is a luxury jewellery shop, selling watches, rings, necklaces and even pens. It’s expensive, but provides Exeter with some of the most beautiful jewellery available in the city.

If you’re looking for a boutique selling candles and floral items, then halt your search in The Castle Quarter at Violette. Almost hidden, you’ll do well not to walk straight past it, but keep your eyes peeled because it’s an entertaining shop to browse. Next to Violette is Crede, which sells formal dresses and other clothes for women.

If you need a drink and a break from shopping Café Espresso has views up the hill to the Castle and serves food as well as drinks. There is also a hairdresser, V&M Hair, next door to the Timepiece entrance.

Not to be forgotten, Exeter Central library is located in this area.

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The Quay

While most people go down to the quay for a walk by the Exe or a leisurely drink in the sunshine, it’s common for passers-by to get drawn into the charming shops. The converted boathouses built into the wall house shops selling jewellery, woodwork, furniture and general objet d’art. It’s not just passing trade either, many people make a special journey for presents or that special, unique item that you just wouldn’t find on the High Street.

Furniture is the main product of these stores and it’s nearly always wooden. Revival sells various furniture, and an array of picture frames. Antique Lighting has a great range of lighting and fireplaces, and the deeper into the shop you venture, the greater choice of objects you’ll find. Goodwood Cellars sells wooden furniture and kitchen equipment.

If you need a mirror, then James Chappelle Mirrors will provide you with a distinctive mirror bordered in different woods, depending on your taste. Sizes vary, and whatever your need or taste, you’ll find something to suit you – and your wallet.

An eclectic boutique, aptly named Eclectique, sells everything with an arty, bohemian twist from umbrellas to cups to jewellery.

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Supermarkets

Besides from the Tesco supermarket that can be reached with the D bus from Streatham and St Luke’s campuses, there is a branch of Sainsbury’s in the centre of town in the Guildhall Shopping Centre (as well as two larger stores on the outskirts of town), and on the High Street is a branch of Tesco which is slightly smaller than this. There is also an Iceland and a Somerfield on Sidwell Street.