Discover Exmouth: A Local Guide to Things to Do, See & Explore
Discover Exmouth
A local guide to things to do, places to see, a little Exmouth history and some beautiful places to explore nearby.
🦆 Book a Painting ExperienceUpdated August 2026
Looking for things to do in Exmouth? You’ve picked a brilliant corner of Devon to explore.
Exmouth combines a long sandy beach with the Exe Estuary, the western gateway to the Jurassic Coast, a lively town centre, independent places to eat, watersports, boat trips, entertainment and some rather unusual creative experiences.
We live and work here in Exmouth, so we’ve put together a guide to the Exmouth we know — from the places most visitors already have on their list to a few ideas they might otherwise miss.
And if you’re staying for more than a day, we’ve included some lovely places to explore nearby too.
Things to Do in Exmouth: Our Quick Picks
If you’re deciding how to spend your time, these are some of the easiest ways to experience different sides of Exmouth.
Start With Exmouth Beach & Seafront
Exmouth’s sandy beach is naturally one of the biggest reasons people visit the town.
Whether you want a traditional beach day, a paddle, a long walk, somewhere for the children to burn off some energy or simply a sea view, the seafront is an obvious place to begin.
One of the nicest things about Exmouth is that a beach visit doesn’t need to be your entire day. The town centre, marina, cafés, entertainment and other activities can easily be combined with time beside the sea.
Walk to Orcombe Point & the Jurassic Coast
Continue east along the seafront and you’ll reach Orcombe Point, marking the western gateway to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
The red cliffs are instantly recognisable and the elevated views make this a lovely place for walking, photography or simply taking in the coastline.
The distinctive Geoneedle at Orcombe Point marks the beginning of the Jurassic Coast — a coastline whose rocks record around 185 million years of Earth’s history.
Try Something Completely Different in Exmouth
We couldn’t write a local guide without mentioning our own little corner of Exmouth — although we’ll admit we’re slightly biased about this one. 🦆
Arty Boat is our creative studio in Exmouth and home of the Signature Wooden Duck Painting Experience.
Choose a wooden duck, pottery or another wooden item and spend up to three relaxed hours creating your own design.
You don’t need to be artistic, we’ll be on hand with friendly help and inspiration, and your finished creation goes home with you the very same day.
It’s particularly popular with couples, families, groups of friends, birthdays and anyone looking for one of the more unusual things to do in Exmouth.
🦆 Discover our wooden duck painting experience
Explore Exmouth Marina & the Exe Estuary
Head towards the marina and estuary and Exmouth begins to feel quite different from the main beachfront.
Colourful waterfront buildings, boats and broad estuary views make this a lovely area for a gentle wander, lunch, coffee or drinks.
The Exe Estuary is particularly important for wildlife and birdlife, while the Exe Estuary Trail opens up longer walking and cycling routes towards places including Lympstone and Topsham.
Get Out on the Water
Exmouth has a strong connection with the water, so it makes sense that some of the most popular activities involve actually getting onto it.
Depending on the season, weather and conditions, visitors can find opportunities for paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing and other watersports around the Exmouth coast and estuary.
If you’d rather somebody else did the hard work, boat trips and cruises offer another way to experience the Exe Estuary and surrounding coastline.
Explore Exmouth Town Centre
Don’t make the mistake of visiting Exmouth and seeing nothing beyond the beach.
The town centre has independent businesses, cafés, pubs and restaurants alongside familiar high-street names and works really well as the middle part of a day out.
Beach in the morning, a wander through town and lunch, then an activity in the afternoon is an easy way to experience several sides of Exmouth without spending half the day in the car.
See What’s On in Exmouth
Exmouth changes throughout the year, with markets, live entertainment, music, community events and seasonal activities.
Exmouth Pavilion on the seafront is particularly worth checking if you’re staying into the evening, with shows and entertainment throughout the year.
It’s always worth checking current local listings before your visit — you may find something happening that completely changes your plans.
Things to Do Indoors in Exmouth
Exmouth sometimes gets treated purely as an outdoor destination, but there are plenty of options when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
Creative activities, entertainment, cafés and other indoor options mean you don’t necessarily need to abandon Exmouth just because rain has appeared in the forecast.
We’ve already put together a detailed guide, so rather than repeat it all here:
A Little History of Exmouth
Exmouth has been welcoming visitors for much longer than modern tourism might suggest.
The settlement developed around fishing, maritime activity and its position at the mouth of the River Exe, but by the eighteenth century Exmouth was already becoming fashionable as a seaside destination.
Sea bathing grew increasingly popular and visitors were drawn to the coast for fresh air, sea views and the developing seaside lifestyle. Georgian and Victorian Exmouth expanded as tourism became a bigger part of the town.
The arrival of the railway in the nineteenth century made Exmouth much easier to reach and helped establish it firmly as a popular seaside resort.
Yet the landscape tells an even older story. The red rocks around Orcombe Point belong to the Triassic period and form the western end of the Jurassic Coast.
Visitors interested in local history can also look out for Exmouth Museum & Heritage Centre during its seasonal opening period.
What Kind of Exmouth Day Are You Looking For?
☀️ A Sunny Day
Start at the beach, walk towards Orcombe Point, stop for lunch and finish around the marina or estuary.
☔ A Rainy Day
Choose an indoor activity, explore the town, stop somewhere for coffee and check what’s on at the Pavilion.
❤️ A Couples’ Day
Coastal walk, lunch, a creative activity, marina wander and dinner or drinks makes a lovely relaxed day.
👨👩👧👦 A Family Day
Mix beach time with an activity, gardens, food and something indoors if everyone needs a break from the weather.
💷 A Low-Cost Day
Beach, Orcombe Point, town centre, marina, estuary and coastal walks can all be enjoyed without paying admission.
🎨 Something Different
Try a creative experience, browse Exmouth’s independent businesses, eat somewhere local and finish with evening entertainment.
How We’d Spend One Day in Exmouth
🌊 Morning: Start beside the sea and walk some of Exmouth Beach, continuing towards Orcombe Point if you fancy stretching your legs.
☕ Late morning: Head back towards town, browse the shops and stop somewhere for coffee.
🍴 Lunch: Choose one of Exmouth’s cafés, pubs or restaurants.
🎨 Afternoon: Do an actual activity — whether that’s getting onto the water, discovering somewhere local or spending a few hours painting something completely unique.
⚓ Late afternoon: Wander around the marina and estuary.
🎭 Evening: Eat out, have a drink or see whether there’s a performance or event on.
Beautiful Places to Visit Near Exmouth
One of the nicest things about staying in Exmouth is what lies within easy reach.
You are already in a brilliant position for exploring more of East Devon and the Jurassic Coast, and the places nearby all feel surprisingly different from one another.
Budleigh Salterton
Budleigh has a completely different feel from Exmouth, with its distinctive pebble beach, smaller town centre and peaceful seaside atmosphere.
Browse the independent shops, wander along the seafront or continue towards the River Otter for a longer walk.
Sidmouth
Sidmouth has a traditional seaside character with Regency architecture, gardens, shops and coastal scenery.
It’s a lovely choice for a relaxed half-day or day trip with a stroll, shopping and something nice to eat.
Exeter
If you fancy swapping seaside towns for a city, Exeter gives you historic streets, the Cathedral area, plenty of shopping and the Quayside.
The Quay is particularly lovely if you fancy a wander beside the water, something to eat or a completely different atmosphere from the coast.
Dawlish
Dawlish is a traditional Devon seaside town known for the brook running through its centre and its famous black swans.
There’s a beach, town centre and coastal scenery, with Dawlish Warren nearby if you’d like to explore another stretch of coast.
Lyme Regis
Further east along the Jurassic Coast, Lyme Regis is known for fossils, beaches, its historic harbour and The Cobb.
It’s a great choice if you want to make the Jurassic Coast itself part of your day out.
Lympstone
Much closer to Exmouth, Lympstone is a pretty estuary village and an easy option if you fancy somewhere smaller and quieter.
It also sits on the Exe Estuary Trail, making it particularly useful for walkers and cyclists.
What Is Exmouth Famous For?
Exmouth is particularly known for its sandy beach, the Exe Estuary and its position at the western gateway to the Jurassic Coast.
It is also one of Britain’s historic seaside resorts, with visitors coming to enjoy the coast long before modern tourism existed.
Today, what makes Exmouth appealing is the combination: beach, estuary, outdoor activities, local businesses, food, history and things to do all within one relatively compact town.
Is Exmouth Worth Visiting?
Yes. Exmouth is well worth visiting for its sandy beach, Exe Estuary, marina, coastal scenery, activities and access to the Jurassic Coast.
The beach, town centre and waterfront are close enough to combine in a single day, while Exmouth also makes a convenient base for exploring more of East Devon.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exmouth
What are the best things to do in Exmouth?
Popular choices include Exmouth Beach, Orcombe Point, the Jurassic Coast, Exmouth Marina, the Exe Estuary, boat trips, watersports, town-centre shopping, entertainment and creative experiences such as wooden duck and pottery painting.
What can adults do in Exmouth?
Adults can combine coastal walks, food and drink, shopping, watersports, creative activities, the marina and evening entertainment to make a full day out without travelling far.
What can you do in Exmouth when it rains?
Exmouth has indoor creative activities, entertainment, cafés, restaurants and town-centre options. Our dedicated rainy-day guide has more ideas.
What can you do in Exmouth for free?
Walking Exmouth Beach and promenade, visiting Orcombe Point, exploring the marina, enjoying estuary views and browsing the town centre are all easy ways to enjoy Exmouth without paying admission.
Can you spend a whole day in Exmouth?
Yes. A day can easily include the beach, coastal scenery, lunch in town, an afternoon activity, the marina and an evening meal or show.
Is Exmouth good for families?
Yes. Exmouth works well for families because beach time, walks, watersports, indoor activities, food and entertainment can all be mixed together depending on the weather and ages of your group.
Where can you visit near Exmouth?
Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth, Exeter, Dawlish, Lympstone and Lyme Regis all make good additions to an Exmouth or East Devon break.
Discover Exmouth for Yourself
If you’re searching for things to do in Exmouth, don’t feel that you have to choose between the beach and an attraction.
Do both.
Walk beside the sea. Explore the town. Learn a little of its history. Eat somewhere independent. Try something you’ve never done before. Then, if you’re staying longer, use Exmouth as your starting point for exploring more of East Devon and the Jurassic Coast.
And if you’d like one particularly unusual souvenir of your visit…
Well, we know a place where you can paint a duck. 🦆🎨
This local Exmouth guide was updated in August 2026. Opening times, events, transport and individual business details can change, so please check directly with venues before making a special journey.
