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Devon is truly beautiful during any season, and I may be biased in saying this considering Spring is my favourite season, but the March, April, and May months, when nature is regenerating from winter, make Devon’s landscape look exceptionally stunning. Here is a guide on how to make the most of Exeter and Devon in the next few months – whether you’re graduating this year or whether you’re still getting to know the area ,this list should be universal regardless of where you are in your academic journey.
We are so lucky that we live near a beautiful campus where daffodils are beginning to bloom in preparation for spring. Make sure to check out the Reed Hall Gardens for a peaceful getaway spot from deadlines or dissertation stress (like me!) – it’s especially beautiful during warm and sunny weather, where you can sit down or walk around, and the Reed Hall Café is nearby for your caffeine fix, should you need it –what’s not to love?
Speaking of staying out in nature – the small village of Okehampton is just a 20-minute train journey from Exeter, and the Dartmoor National Park nearby is excellent for a hike in spring weather. Make sure you bring wellies or boots for any muddy trails, along with a map and a compass, in true DofE style, to track where you’re going – believe me, it’s easy to get lost along the fields! Upon going in February, I particularly enjoyed seeing a water stream and the freshly blooming crocuses and daffodils around it – it truly felt like spring was on its way, and on the plus side, access to the National Park is completely free.
Only a 30-minute train journey south from Exeter are the two most famous beaches for Exeter students – Exmouth and Dawlish Warren. Upon the price of a train ticket and possibly the inevitable fish and chips trip once you get there, Devon’s beaches are excellent at anytime of the day, regardless of whether you fancy a morning dip in the sea (if the safety warnings allow), a mid-day walk, or an evening of watching the sunset.
Slightly more far out of Devon, the Eden Project botanical garden in the town of Bodelva in Cornwall was the highlight of last year’s spring for me when I went with my parents. The upside is that one ticket purchased can be used for re-entry for an entire year, and the price of the ticket is used entirely for maintenance of the botanical garden – but of course, getting there, while still accessible via train, takes significantly longer than previously mentioned spots. However, if you ever have a free weekend and fancy seeing natural sights from all over the world, the Eden Project is your call – and the Guild has previously organised Give it a Go trips there from the Streatham Campus, so keep your eyes peeled!
As for cafés with outside seating, the vegetarian & vegan café Vegbox by the Quay has been my all-time favourite throughout my time in Exeter – and they conveniently offer a student deal during the week, where upon showing your student ID, you can get any meal from their menu, and a drink for £10, plus the outside sitting is great in weather as good as recently. Many people also love it for post-morning run caffeine and sweet treat fixes, so if you fancy a stroll down to the Quay, definitely checkout Vegbox – their pastel pink logo is near-impossible to miss!
If you’re not far from the City Centre, be sure to check out the cafés and local businesses on Magdalen Road – my favourites are 18g Coffee Roasters and The Common Beaver, with locally roasted coffee and great pastries.
With this comprehensive list, you will not go wrong in Exeter and the nearby area during spring. Now, we can only hope that the weather will allow us all to enjoy the season of regeneration and growth as much as it has in the past few weeks of March!