Explore Exeter's Mix of Modern and Ancient

Liv Butler
Authored by Liv Butler
Posted Monday, January 19th, 2026

Exeter has a history that dates back thousands of years. Residents and visitors alike can enjoy strolling through streets that once held markets in Medieval times or visit in the many historical buildings that exist in the city. They tell the stories of times gone by and mix heritage and modernity as these now rub shoulders with more modern buildings. Let's take a look at some of the city's gems and how they've embraced the 21st century.

Digital Alternatives from Exeter Stalwarts

While Exeter has long been defined by its theatres and cultural venues, this sector has now extended beyond just that. For example, Exeter Northcott Theatre offers streamed digital content while the Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) provides online exhibitions and virtual exhibitions. This shift towards online engagement is evident across various forms of entertainment. Live casino at Paddy Power is one such offering which has moved into the online world but retained aspects like real-time dealers that interact with gamers in roulette or blackjack, which are streamed to users at home. 

Much like watching a streamed performance or visiting an exhibition virtually, these formats can retain authenticity while adapting to the user for their on-the-go consumption. These developments show how Exeter's entertainment culture continues to evolve, blending the past with the future.

Entertainment in Exeter

One of Exeter's most famous attractions is the Exeter Cathedral. Built in the 12th century, it is open to the public from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and from 11:30am to 4pm on Sundays. However, it can close for special services from time to time. Visitors will be amazed by the gothic architecture and the longest uninterrupted Medieval stone vault in the world. 

Apart from this, the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) offers visitors the chance to explore the stunning Victorian building to take in the art and local history on offer. Fortunately there is free entry for visitors, and it is open from Tuesday to Sunday. Finally, the city also has the St Nicholas Priory.  Over 1,000 years old, it allows visitors to experience how the Tudors used to live, with rooms and gardens on show.

Medieval Walls and Hidden Corners

One of the best things about the city, especially for those interested in history and empires, is the Roman ruins that still stand in the city centre. They offer a unique insight into daily life and signal the importance of the UK in the Roman Empire. It is a very visitor-friendly city to come to now, with walking trails that weave through the ruins and other landmarks.

Relics like the Medieval Exe Bridge ruins lie near the Cathedral Close and show how the city was central to trade and daily life in the Middle Ages. Modern traffic flows past nearby, reminding visitors that this has always been a bustling city. 

Exeter's architecture allows visitors the chance to step back in time and have an enjoyable day out in one of England's most interesting cities. Whether you are a resident or a visitor, there is plenty to explore and visit to learn about life in the past, while at the same time experiencing Exeter as the thriving modern city it is today.

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