Like Shopping? You will Love Exeter
Do you like shopping? Then Exeter is the place for you to come with shops to suit everyone’s taste. Are you buying something for someone special or just looking for that outfit for yourself then Exeter has lots to offer. Or maybe shopping is just a hobby of yours and a must for you that lifts your mood and makes the world seem a better place then come to Exeter and find what you are looking for.
The main shopping centre of Exeter is served well by the Exeter bus services and this includes a park and ride scheme which comes into the centre from the outskirts of Exeter. There is pay and display street parking available in some areas and Exeter has many car parks offering the motorist parking within easy reach of the shopping centre of Exeter.
Exeter’s main shopping centre is extensively pedestrianized and the Princesshay area has undergone a huge revamp. This was officially opened in September 2007 and has brought more top brands into the city and some great independent retailers and transformed this area into a modern new shopping centre. It is just off Exeter’s High Street and has more than 60 shops and some great restaurants of which many provide continental pavement café service. The revamp has preserved and made use of the Roman Wall, making a Roman Walk with shops on one side of the walkway and the wall on the other. There are superb views of Exeter’s magnificent Cathedral when walking up Princesshay to Princesshay Square. Some of the shops in and around Princesshay include – Reiss, Jack Willis, Schuh, Cult, Apple, Carol Anne, Ah Moda.
High Street – Exeter’s High Street is the main shopping area in Exeter. Here you will see how the old city is mixed with the modern and new architecture. While shopping you may see a medieval building next to a modern building. High Street is the drop off point for shoppers arriving by bus and there are regular buses using the High Street. Apart from the regular buses High Street is a pedestrian area and is home to some of the high street biggest names that are in every city such as Marks & Spencers, House of Fraser, Lakeland and Boots to name a few.
Guildhall Shopping Centre – The centre can be accessed from the High Street or from North Street, through the Harlequins Centre or Queen Street. The Guildhall Shopping Centre is an undercover shopping area with over 40 shops. You will also find here places to eat and market stalls and in the centre you will find in the courtyard the medieval church of St Pancras. There is adjoining multi-storey car parks which can be reached from Paul Street. The shops that you will find at the Guildhall include Superdrug, Mothercare, Argos and Primark.
Cathedral Yard and Cathedral Close – The magnificent St Peter’s Cathedral dominate the close and the Cathedral is one of Exeter’s most popular attractions. The Close is situated just off the high street and is in easy reach of Princesshay and other areas. It is a lovely place when the sun is out where you can sit in the sunshine watching the world go by and enjoying the lovely atmosphere of the Close. There are lots of period buildings within the Close and surrounding Yard and Martin’s Lane. Numerous shops, restaurants and bars are situated here and some of the shops situated here are Coco and Lugets as well as shops selling crafts, books and paintings.
Harlequins Shopping Centre – The shopping centre can be accessed just off Queen Street behind Habitat or from Paul Street or via the Guildhall Shopping Centre. The mall has speciality shops selling designer fashions, jewellery and gifts. There are cafés within the centre to stop for a coffee after a long day shopping or go to one of the hairdressers within the centre to make you feel good after a day’s shopping
Gandy Street – Acquired its name from Henry Gandy, a former mayor of Exeter in 1661. The street itself dates from the Saxon and has managed to conserve its medieval form. It is full of independent retailers and popular by day and night with its pretty charm. The shops here include fashion, music, food, jewellery and lots more with refreshments available both in the day and night.
Fore Street – Situated in the old West Quarter of Exeter on a hill coming up from Exe Bridges Fore Street is the main route into Exeter city centre from the west of the river Exe. Fore Street area has many independent speciality and alternative shops with plenty of refreshment establishments to choose from.
Paris Street – Exeter’s bus station is situated in Paris Street for easy access into Exeter and the shops. Along Paris Street there are shops and businesses as well as being the location of Exeter’s Civic Centre and the entrance to the Underground Passages. Shops on Paris Street include Estate Agents, Shopmobility and Sofa Workshop.
Sidwell Street – Is linked to the top end of High Street with limited street parking but has plenty of nearby parking in the Bampfylde Street car park and the King William Street car park. Daily market stalls can be seen on the wide pavements and throughout the year various visiting markets come to Sidwell Street with their speciality food and gifts. Other shops in Sidwell Street include Halfords, Long Tall Sally and Poundland.
South Street – Hosts the Exeter Farmers Market every Thursday where you can sample and buy local produce. South Street has always been a main route into the city of Exeter from the South and was previously known as Southgate Street. It lies adjacent to Exeter Cathedral and has a variety of shops and places to eat. Some of the retailers on South Street include numerous hair stylists, estate agents and galleries as well as Warrens bakery and a KFC.
Queen Street – Is a main route to the centre of Exeter and if you are travelling to Exeter by rail is one of the first shopping areas you may visit. The street can get fairly busy at times due to the commuters and Exeter College which is situated quite close to Queen Street. The Royal Albert Memorial Museum is located on Queens Street and the Guildhall and Harlequins shopping centres can also be found off this very busy street. Queen Street has an assortment of cafes and bars situated along its street as well as an assortment of shops that include bakers, flower, and music shops.
Marsh Barton – Is located on the southern outskirts of the city and is Exeter’s largest trading estate. It has easy road access from all major routes and the park and ride is also operated from Marsh Barton. The trading estate includes one of the largest motoring centres in the country with independent garages and a large collection of main vehicle dealerships. So if you want to get yourself a new vehicle then this is the place to go. Other businesses on the estate include stationers, tool hire, wholesalers, builders merchants and the Exeter Livestock Market which is held within the Matford Centre. The Stone Lane Retail Park can also be found here and it has several of the large multiple stores including Argos, Comet and Currys. A McDonalds drive-through is also within the retail park.
There are many other retailers and shops around the beautiful city of Exeter and some of the other places that you could shop are the Exe Bridge Retail Park, Rydon Lane Retail Park and Sowden Industrial Estate. Here you will find more of the large multiple stores such as Carpet Right, PC World, Homebase, B & Q to name a few.
So for a memorable shopping experience come to Exeter and in the beautiful city centre experience a shopaholic’s dream. If walking around the shops is not your dream then have a look at Activ Exeter’s Online Shopping and find what you are looking for from the comfort of your own home.
Activ Exeter July 2010
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