Sports, dance and activity clubs around Exeter that welcome newcomers, with their regular sessions. Outdoor clubs further afield are included when they need the landscape.
Sports, dance and activity clubs around Exeter that welcome newcomers, with their regular sessions. Outdoor clubs further afield are included when they need the landscape.
Sunday rides (book by Saturday 12pm) and an easy-paced Thursday Bike Bus
Exeter (Quay, West Hill, other start points) · Cycling · Cycling UK membership after three rides
Cycling UK's Exeter group runs Sunday day rides (A, about 35-60 miles; B, about 25-40) and a gentle Thursday Bike Bus with a coffee stop. Booking is required.
New here? New riders are always very welcome; asked to join Cycling UK after three rides.
Flying depends on wind and weather, at sites from about 8 to 25 miles from Exeter
East Devon and Somerset coast and hills · 15 miles from the centre · Air sports · £25 a year (plus BHPA membership)
A hang gliding and paragliding club for qualified BHPA pilots with 17 sites from West Bay to Exmouth and inland, including Bickleigh and Beer Head. Learners train at a BHPA school first, then join the club.
New here? For pilots with the BHPA Club Pilot rating. Learners can join while training at a BHPA school, but fly with the club once qualified.
Club flies on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting
Honiton (North Hill, Sheldon) · 19 miles from the centre · Air sports
Gliding club on North Hill Airfield in the Blackdown Hills. Trial lessons give a 15-30 minute flight with an instructor, and the club trains new pilots.
New here? Trial lessons on flying days: 15 to 30 minutes in a two-seat glider with an instructor. Junior gliding too.
St Thomas, Exeter · Dance classes · £15 or £12 booked in advance; two £10…
A weekly 5Rhythms movement class on Sunday evenings in St Thomas: free, unchoreographed dancing to music, guided by a teacher. No steps to learn, so it suits complete beginners as well as experienced dancers.
New here? ‘A welcoming class for both beginners and experienced dancers’; no dance steps needed. Arrive by 6pm; no entry after 6:20pm.
Exeter (city centre) · Dance classes · £8 a class (cash or card)
Adult ballet class at Exeter Phoenix taught by Anne Jobson, for people who have always wanted to try ballet as well as those with some experience. Men and women equally welcome.
New here? For those who have always wanted to try ballet and those with some experience; men and women equally welcome.
Summer season: roll-ups on Tuesdays and Thursdays (golf croquet) and Wednesdays (association), novice…
St Thomas · Other sport · First three games free; membership…
Croquet club at Pinces Gardens, St Thomas, playing both golf and association croquet. Anyone can join; mallets are lent and the first three games are free.
New here? ‘Anyone may join the club - there is no waiting list or selection process.’ First three games free with basic instruction; mallets lent; flat-soled shoes needed. Open days, introductory courses and novice coaching.
Exeter (St Leonard's) · Other sport · Monday class £56.25 a month (plus…
Adult gymnastics at the club's Bull Meadow Park gym: a coached evening class that suits complete beginners, a coached lunchtime class and a supervised open gym.
New here? The Monday class offers ‘a complete new experience for the absolute beginners’. No free trials, but fees aren't asked for until after your first session. Open gym needs a waiver if you're not a British Gymnastics member.
Spanish and English conversation practice in pairs and small groups: half an hour in each language, twice over, every Tuesday evening, plus occasional weekend café mornings in Spanish.
New here? Learners of either language at any level are welcome; just come along.
One of the UK's longest-running writing groups, with published and unpublished writers of fiction and non-fiction sharing work and support. It also runs an annual short story competition.
7pm
Sat9am
Sun9am
Exeter · Cycling · Membership: seniors £20 a year…
Exeter's long-running road cycling club, founded in 1924, with no-drop social rides through the week as well as faster club runs and race training. Suits road riders who want company on Devon lanes.
New here? The club says new riders would be very welcome and invites them to get in touch; the Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday rides are social and no-drop, paced to the slowest rider.
Last Wed7:30pm
Woodbury Common (East Devon) · 9 miles from the centre · Air sports
A radio control model flying club (aircraft, helicopters, boats) flying from Woodbury Common, with a beginner training scheme leading to the BMFA A certificate.
New here? Training scheme starts with ground school, then flying tuition to the BMFA A certificate; temporary membership available; guests can fly with permission via the contact form.
Thu
6:30pm, 7pm
Exeter (city centre) · Dance classes · £8.50 a class (acro £15)
City-centre dance studio running weekly adult classes in ballet, tap, contemporary and commercial street dance, many of them drop-in with no monthly membership. Suits beginners and returners as well as experienced dancers.
New here? Many adult sessions are drop-in, booked online; the timetable includes Absolute Beginners Ballet and Adults Beginners Tap. No monthly memberships.
Flamenco classes with Karina Gracia at Exeter Phoenix, accompanied by live guitar: footwork, technique and full choreographies, with beginners' classes needing no experience.
New here? Beginners' classes need no experience; check with Karina before your first class in case of date changes.
Exeter (city centre) · Dance classes · £45 for a four-week Tuesday block…
Commercial and hip hop dance at Exeter Phoenix: learn a routine to pop music over a month-long block, then perform and film it. Open to anyone, whatever your experience.
New here? For everyone whatever their dancing experience; monthly Confidence Workshops for beginners (up to five people)
Weekly adult jazz dance classes in Exeter, including a beginners and improvers class for those new or rusty, plus a low-impact fitness class. Join at any time and pay weekly.
New here? Adult classes are ongoing so you can join at any time; the Thursday class is for beginners, improvers or those feeling rusty.
Fri
6pm
Exeter · Other sport · From £3.50 a session (members only…
Friendly triathlon club for adults and juniors in and around Exeter, with weekly swim and run training and member-organised group rides.
New here? New members are welcome and the club offers a trial membership. Swim sessions need at least 200m front crawl. Book sessions in advance.
Pay and play: book a tee time online (visitors.brsgolf.com/exminster) or call
Exminster · Other sport · Pay & play: 9 holes £24, 18 holes £48
Pay-and-play golf centre on Exminster Hill with a 9-hole par 66 course for new and experienced golfers, a covered floodlit driving range and lessons for all levels.
New here? Pay and play without membership; the course is described as suitable for all abilities, and professional lessons are offered for all ages and levels.
Outdoor season runs in spring and summer (2026 closing day 25 September)
Heavitree · Other sport · Playing member £70 a year; first year…
Lawn bowls club on Heavitree Pleasure Ground that welcomes complete beginners and experienced bowlers, with three free tasters before joining and a cheaper first year for new bowlers.
New here? New members welcome, whether new to bowls or experienced. Anyone can have three free sessions before being asked to join; free tasters before the season and by arrangement during it.
Outdoor season April to mid or late September, with club sessions on Monday evenings (5:30pm for a 6pm…
Exeter (St Thomas) · Other sport
Lawn bowls club founded in 1921 at Barton Playing Fields in St Thomas, with friendly matches, men's and ladies' leagues and casual roll-ups for members.
New here? New and experienced bowlers, men and women of all ages, are welcome. Free sessions in April with equipment provided; flat shoes needed.
New here? Writers at every stage; email the group mailbox to ask about joining.
Monthly meeting at The Mint, 10:30am (coffee from 10am, speaker from about 11am)
Exeter · Talk, languages & learning · Monthly meetings free for members and…
A self-help learning organisation for people no longer in full-time work, with about 80 member-run interest groups from languages and bridge to choir, walking and drawing, plus monthly talks.
New here? Non-members are welcome at the monthly meetings free of charge; the Topsham Social (Globe Hotel, Topsham, 10:30am) is open to potential members. Membership enquiries via the contact form.
Bring a book and read quietly with others for an hour, then stay for a chat and a drink. Free, no booking, at Topsham Brewery's taproom on Exeter Quay.
New here? Free to attend, no booking required: bring your own book. Book tokens available for those who need one.
Exeter (city centre) · Talk, languages & learning · Visits free; membership fees not stated
A Toastmasters club where members practise speeches, impromptu speaking and evaluation in a supportive meeting. Suits anyone who wants to feel more confident speaking at work or in public.
New here? Guests can visit free (free meeting guest pass), with no pressure to take part until they are ready.