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.
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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.
Pinhoe, Exeter · Cycling · Free
Sunday road rides of 40-60 miles at 16-18mph with a coffee stop and a no-drop policy, starting from Pinhoe. Joining is by Strava club.
New here? Request to join via Strava; no-drop policy.
Training times are in the club's 2026–27 timetable, which isn't published as text on the site
Exeter (Exeter School and other city pools) · Swimming · £36 a month plus annual membership fee
The Masters squad of Exeter City Swimming Club, coached training for adult swimmers aged over 20 who want to train and race, from local open meets upwards.
New here? Swim England's club finder lists Masters as open to new members, with newcomer and improver levels. Squad criteria: over 20 and ‘trainability’; use the club's enquiry form.
Exmouth seafront (Sideshore, EX8 2GD), about 10 miles from Exeter · 10 miles from the centre · Swimming
Guided Sunday-morning sea swims from Sideshore, Exmouth's community eco-hub, for first-time cold-water dippers and seasoned swimmers alike. Runs in ticketed seasons.
New here? Yes: suits everyone from ‘a seasoned swimmer’ to someone ‘trying cold-water dipping for the first time’. Ticketed.
Exeter (Tudor Street) · Climbing · Pay as you go entry (price on site)…
A bouldering-only climbing gym by Exe Bridges with an instructor-led social session, a women's social night and Boulder Basics introductions included with entry.
New here? Boulder Basics, a staff-led introduction to bouldering, is included with entry; rental shoes and chalk provided; Social Climbing is beginner-friendly.
Bouldering meetups at the Climbing Hangar, usually on Wednesday or Thursday evenings
Exeter (Marsh Barton) · Climbing · Hangar entry fee applies
Social Meetup group that organises bouldering evenings at The Climbing Hangar for beginners and experienced climbers, with occasional other climbing trips.
New here? Welcomes beginners and experienced climbers; members can bring a guest free for their first session at the Hangar.
Open Mon-Fri 10am–10pm, weekends 9am–8pm Course dates and social events (demo nights, food nights, yoga)…
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.
Exeter (Belle Isle Park) · Outdoor & adventure, Social & games
Nature volunteering with Friends of Belle Isle Park on Tuesday evenings and Sunday mornings, planting wildflowers and making habitats for wildlife, plus Green Drinks socials for anyone interested in a greener Exeter.
New here? Anyone welcome; no manual work is required, and it's a good way to meet people.
Exeter (city centre) · Social & games
Tabletop roleplaying in Exeter, with an ongoing Dungeons and Dragons campaign every other Wednesday evening at the White Hart for new and experienced players.
New here? New players welcome; bring a character or ask for help making one before you come.
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.
Exeter (Quay) · Climbing · See…
The South West's largest indoor climbing centre on Exeter Quay, with roped walls and bouldering. It runs beginner inductions and courses, youth programmes and regular social events.
New here? Runs a full programme of beginner courses: Auto Belay/Bouldering Intro (1 hour, ages 7+), Belaying and Roped Climbing Inductions (two 1-hour sessions, 18+), Mastering Climbing Movement (four 2-hour sessions, 18+)
Open daily, with kids' Rock Club sessions, a teen social at weekends, and Hangar Women Rock and Pride Night…
Exeter (Marsh Barton) · Climbing · Day entry £16 adults, £13 concessions…
Large indoor bouldering and climbing centre at Marsh Barton with pay-as-you-go entry, a short beginner bouldering intro, kids' Rock Clubs and themed sessions such as Hangar Women Rock and Pride Night.
New here? First-timers can add a 30-minute Intro to Bouldering session for £5.
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 from mid-April to the third week of September
Exeter (St Thomas) · Other sport · Small annual membership plus the…
Lawn bowls club on the council green at Pinces Gardens in St Thomas, playing friendly and league matches through the summer. Beginners are coached.
New here? ‘Beginners and experienced players are welcome’; coaching and advice on dress and etiquette provided. Contact the secretary first.
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.
Exeter (city centre) · Social & games · Free; asked to buy food and drink at…
Meetup group playing board games in Exeter pubs on Sunday afternoons, with a monthly Blood on the Clocktower session. Bring a game or join one already being played.
New here? 'Anything's welcome'; Clocktower sessions include a beginner-friendly game led by a Storyteller. White Hart Sundays are 18+.
Exeter (Newcourt and Victoria Park) · Social & games · £3 table money per face-to-face…
Duplicate bridge club for all levels, from newer players to experienced ones, with supervised play for novices, an improvers' practice evening and teaching for beginners and improvers.
New here? Plays ‘Duplicate Bridge at all levels’; runs teaching classes for beginners and improvers and supervised duplicate for novices. Visitors welcome (50p extra per session); the club helps find a partner if you ask a day ahead.
Exeter (Heavitree) · Social & games · Membership £10 (£5 concessions) plus…
Weekly Tuesday club night at Heavitree Social Club with a junior section earlier in the evening in term time. Visitors can attend three nights before joining.
New here? ‘Visitors and new members are always welcome’; non-members can attend three club nights as guests.
Next:Sun 1 Nov 6pm
Exeter (Exeter Phoenix) · Social & games
Improv workshops for people in their 20s and 30s: short- and long-form games and exercises, for experienced improvisers and complete novices alike.
New here? Complete novices welcome; you can join in or just come to watch.
Next:Thu 29 Oct 7:30pm
Exeter (city centre) · Social & games
A monthly social for meeting new people over a drink, set up for anyone new to town or finding it hard to make friends as an adult; the organisers greet newcomers.
New here? Newcomers are greeted by the organisers; just turn up.