Given the vagaries of the British climate, it’s likely that you’ll have at least one wet day during your stay. But don’t worry – there’s still plenty to do even if it does rain. Here are a few of the options available (please check opening times before visiting):
Museum of Dartmoor Life, Okehampton
http://www.dartmoorlife.org.uk/
Hidden in a little cobbled alleyway at the top end of town, this award-winning museum offers a fascinating insight into daily life in the area. The museum’s core collection consists mainly of farming and social history material from north-western Dartmoor. There are also exhibitions on prehistoric Dartmoor, industry in the area and Dartmoor people. The building is rumoured to be inhabited by ‘Piskies’ (or pixies), who have left their usual habitat on the moor for somewhere warmer and drier. However, unlike their moorland cousins, these pixies are very well-behaved!
Exeter Cathedral
https://www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk/
Exeter Cathedral offers an oasis of calm and tranquillity in the heart of this lively city. There has been a cathedral on the present site, located right in the centre of the city, for nearly 1000 years. The building is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture anywhere in the world and features the longest stretch of unbroken Gothic vaulting in the world, as well as stunning stained-glass windows and an intricately carved image screen on the West Front.
Inside the cathedral, you’ll find a unique Minstrels’ Gallery and a 15th-century Astronomical Clock, which gives a working model of the solar system as it was then understood. St James’s Chapel, which was completely rebuilt after being reduced to rubble in 1942, contains a memorial to the Polish airmen who defended the city during the Exeter Blitz. You can also marvel at the Exeter Rondels, a series of embroidered cushions that line the sides of the nave. At over 70 metres in total, they are longer than the Bayeux Tapestry. Guided and audio tours of the cathedral are available. The Cathedral Café, which comes highly recommended, serves light lunches, Devon cream teas or just coffee and cake.
Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM), Exeter
This Exeter institution was voted Museum of the Year in 2012, and is home to much-loved Gerald the giraffe. Entrance to the world-class main collections is free. As well as sections telling the story of Exeter and Devon from prehistoric times up until the present day, the museum houses internationally important collections on world cultures and natural sciences. Children will love the Egyptian section, complete with mummy, and will be fascinated by the displays of colourful birds, butterflies and beetles in the natural world galleries. As well as the permanent collections, the museum also hosts a full programme of temporary exhibitions, activities and events throughout the year. Guided tours of the collections are available, and there is a shop and café to complete your visit.
Custom House Visitor Centre, Exeter
https://exeter.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/our-attractions/custom-house-visitor-centre/
This museum, with free admission, is housed in one of the most historic buildings on Exeter’s bustling quayside, and its displays really help to bring the history of the area to life. You can admire exhibits from Exeter’s cloth and woollen trade and watch the informative audio-visual presentation, ‘Exeter, 2000 years of history’, which shows the history of the city from Roman times until the present day. The centre also provides tourist information and sells interesting souvenirs, such as local pottery and replica maps.
Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Bovey Tracey
The Devon Guild of Craftsmen is an acclaimed exhibition space for contemporary craft and design, as well as a leading charity for craft education. Three galleries host more than 20 inspiring exhibitions and events each year. These aim to show a broad range of the best craft from around the country. With a very few exceptions, the Devon Guild shop only sells only the work of its Members. The Devon Guild is housed in historic Riverside Mill, which dates back to 1854 – it was never actually a mill, being built instead as stabling and outhouses.
House of Marbles, Bovey Tracey
https://www.houseofmarbles.com/the-house-of-marbles-at-bovey-tracey
While the main business here is the production of vintage traditional toys and games, you’ll find there is much more to see at this free attraction. There is a working glassworks and interactive marble runs for all the family to enjoy. A historic trail links museums of glass, games, marbles and Bovey Pottery. The shop is a great place to look for unusual and curious gifts, and the Old Pottery restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you visit, be sure to look out for the secret door in the garden area and the snoring bear!
