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Exeter Custom House - ECQT

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Exeter Custom House - ECQT

The Custom House was built in 1680 at the height of Exeter's woollen cloth industry.

07/09/2026

👀 Think you know Exeter? Think again!

This month, discover the city’s hidden stories with FREE Heritage Open Days and Exeter’s brilliant Red Coat Guided Tours. 🏛️🚶

Explore everything from the Exeter Blitz and medieval history to Herstories, writers, merchants and mariners — with expert guides bringing Exeter’s past to life.

✨ FREE to join — but booking is essential!

👉 Book your place now:

https://www.exetercornexchange.co.uk/book-tickets/exeters-red-coat-guided-tours/

Exeter Red Coat Guided Tours

06/09/2026

📸 See Exeter Quay through a different lens!!

Looking for something free to do today? Come and discover the Quay Moments photography exhibition at Exeter Custom House. 🖼️📷

Head into the Custom House and turn left to find our ground-floor gallery, where you’ll find a collection of photographs by Exeter Phoenix Camera Group.

The group of photographers meets monthly at Exeter Phoenix to explore different aspects of photography, and this exhibition brings together their unique responses to the Quay – its history, landscape, people and wildlife. 👀📸

🕙 Open today: 10am–5pm
🎟️ Free entry

05/09/2026

⚓️ ONE WEEK TO GO! 🎶

The countdown is officially on! Just 7 days to go until Exeter’s Quayside comes alive with the sound of sea shanties, historic vessels and plenty of maritime fun. 🏴‍☠️

Join us on Saturday 12 September for the Quayside Shanty & Heritage Harbour Festival and enjoy a fantastic day of FREE entertainment for all the family.

🎵 Around 20 shanty bands performing throughout the day
⚓️ Historic vessels and maritime heritage
🎤 Live music and entertainment continuing into the evening
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Plenty to see and enjoy for all ages

A huge thank you to our brilliant supporters , On The Waterfront , Puerto Lounge , the Spar Shop and for helping us bring the quayside to life. ❤️

📅 Saturday 12 September
📍 Exeter Quayside
🎟️ FREE ENTRY

👉 Find out more and start planning your day: https://exetercustomhouse.co.uk/event/quayside-shanty-festival-2026/

04/09/2026

⚓️ Ahoy, me hearties! 🏴‍☠️

We can’t wait to welcome everyone to the Quayside Shanty & Heritage Harbour Festival on Saturday 12 September! 🎶⚓️

It’s always such a tuneful, colourful and fun affair, bringing together some wonderful characters to celebrate Exeter’s rich maritime heritage. With around 20 shanty bands performing throughout the day, there’ll be an amazing programme of FREE entertainment for all the family, continuing into the evening. 🎤🎵

And none of this would be possible without the fantastic support of our friends at , as well as On The Waterfront , Lounge , the Spar Shop and .

A huge thank you to all of them for helping us bring the quayside to life! ❤️

👉 Find out more: exetercustomhouse.co.uk/event/quayside-shanty-festival-2026/

03/09/2026

📸 Quay Moments Exhibition

We have a fantastic new free exhibition here at Exeter Custom House, in our ground-floor gallery — just turn left as you enter.

Exeter Phoenix Camera Group is a group of photographers who meet monthly at Exeter Phoenix to explore different aspects of photography.

This exhibition brings together their responses to the Quay — its history, landscape, people and wildlife.

Although each photographer has explored the same environment, every image offers a different perspective, interpretation and way of seeing. Together, they create a fascinating and varied portrait of the Quay. 📷

🕙 Open daily: 10am–5pm

Please note: we will be closing at 3pm this Saturday.

Come along, have a look and see the Quay through a different lens! 👀📸

02/09/2026

⚓🚂 Full Steam Ahead! 🚢⚓

Zara Finn is one of a number of steam vessels making her way to Exeter’s Heritage Harbour and Shanty Festival on Saturday 12 September.

And talking of steam…also making her way to the Quay will be Pride of Devon, one of the fascinating historic vehicles that will be on display during the festival.

Built in 1925, her first owner paid £1,069 for her, which was a serious amount of money back then!

Come along and discover these wonderful pieces of transport history, alongside traditional boats, shanties, live music and plenty more on the Quayside.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1467354211461903

31/08/2026

🏛️ Discover Exeter’s Archaeological Past – for FREE! 🔎

Join the Devon Archaeological Society at Exeter Custom House on Sunday 13 September, as part of Heritage Open Days, for a fascinating series of free guided walks exploring the archaeology and history of Exeter’s Quay and city walls.

🚶 Guided walks: 10.30am–2.30pm
📍 Starting from Exeter Custom House, Exeter Quay
🎟️ Free to attend

Led by experienced guides, the 45-minute walks will explore the west of the City Wall, Exbridges, the mediaeval Exe Bridge, Exeter Quay and Custom House, with plenty of fascinating stories and insights into archaeological work carried out in the area.

You’ll also have the chance to chat to archaeologists and society trustees, ask questions and browse publications about Devon’s archaeology.

Walks depart every half hour from 10.30am until 2.30pm. Please note that some walking will be on uneven surfaces.

Come along and discover a different side of Exeter’s fascinating past! 🏛️⚓

https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/devon-archaeological-society-at-the-custom-house-on-the-quay-in-exeter.html

30/08/2026

🎷☀️ Don't miss the last Jazz on the Quay today! ☀️🎶

Where has the summer gone? It's the final Jazz on the Quay of the season, but it promises to be a fantastic Bank Holiday special with The Riviera Ramblers.

Renowned for their lively blend of 1930s & '40s swing, New Orleans hot jazz and the infectious rhythms of Parisian gypsy swing, they're guaranteed to get your toes tapping! 🎺🎻💃

📍 Transit Shed, Exeter Quay
🕧 Today (Sunday 30 August) | 12.30pm–3.30pm
🎟️ Free admission

Jazz on the Quay is presented by Exeter Canal & Quay Trust in partnership with Exeter City Council

29/08/2026

🏙️ How can we create better connections between Exeter’s City and Quayside?

Join us at the Custom House for a series of linked events exploring the challenges, opportunities and ideas that could help bring the city and quayside closer together.

📅 Saturday 26 September | 9.30am–4pm
Workshop 1: Identify problems, challenges and opportunities.

🎤 Friday 9 October | 6–9pm
Lecture & Reception: Featuring keynote speaker Ben Derbyshire PPRIBA, FRSA, followed by a reception.

📅 Saturday 10 October | 9.30am–4pm
Workshop 2: Explore ideas and share them with the city.

You can join one, two or all three events, with a pay-what-you-can approach.

Expect expert speakers, guided fact-finding, group discussions and practical support to develop and present your ideas through different media and an exhibition.

Together, we’ll explore themes including visibility, lost heritage, cultural perceptions, personal safety, transport, wayfinding, access, topography and the management of public space.

🌟 Speakers and facilitators include:
Ben Derbyshire PPRIBA, FRSA
Todd Gray MBE
Dr Sarah Spencer
Cllr James Banyard
Paul Jenkins FRSA
Qiao Feng RIBA FRSA

🔎 Find out more and book your place:
https://exetercustomhouse.co.uk/event/quay-to-the-city/

Address

46 The Quay
Exeter
EX24AN

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 5pm
Tuesday	10am - 5pm
Wednesday	10am - 5pm
Thursday	10am - 5pm
Friday	10am - 5am
Saturday	10am - 5pm
Sunday	10am - 5pm

Telephone

+441392271611

Website

http://www.exetercustomhouse.co.uk/

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