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.
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.
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.
Friendly mixed-gender korfball club, a fast team sport like basketball and netball. Beginner-friendly training on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, with league teams and socials.
New here? ‘New players are always welcome - no experience needed!’ Contact the club and get two sessions free.
Training moves with the seasons: Saturday mornings in winter, Tuesday evenings in spring and summer
Exwick · Team sports · First three sessions free; fees on…
Community ultimate frisbee club at Exwick Playing Fields, open to everyone from age 10 with special support for beginners. Your first three sessions are free.
New here? ‘We take beginners’; special support for beginners and those new to the sport; first three sessions free.
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.
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.
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+)
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.
Thu
Squad training on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings at St Peter's School and St James School
Exeter (Quarry Lane) · Team sports
Large field hockey club with five men's and six women's teams in Devon and South West leagues, for juniors through to veterans. New players start with the membership form.
New here? ‘We look forward to welcoming new players to the club!’ Fill in the membership form and the membership secretary will be in touch about training times. Open to men, women, boys and girls, competitive and friendly.
Slower, non-contact rugby run by Exeter Saracens RFC. Aimed at over-55s but open to any adult, including people coming back from injury or illness; no rugby experience needed.
New here? Aimed at over-55s but open to anyone over 18 of any gender; previous rugby experience isn't required.
Community Touch runs every Monday night (start time and venue are given on Spond, not on the website)
Exeter · Team sports · £4.50 a session; no membership; first…
Touch rugby club with a Monday-night Community Touch session open to anyone 18 or over; the rules are taught on the day and most players start as beginners. Pre-booked through the Spond app.
New here? Open to anyone aged 18 or over whatever their experience or fitness; most players have never played; first session free if you message the club on Spond.
Exwick · Team sports · Membership £30 adults (£15 youth)…
Women's softball cricket at Exwick Cricket Club, designed for all skill and fitness levels and ideal for beginners or those returning. Players range from 15 to over 50; training is free.
New here? Ideal for beginners or those returning; drop by a training session for a no-obligation taster.
Exeter (University and Exeter School) · Team sports · Adult player £440 a year (includes…
Large Exeter hockey club with seven men's and four women's league teams, masters and juniors from under-8s. Adults who can't commit to matches can join on a training-only membership.
New here? The club ‘caters for all ages and abilities’; new players apply through the Join Us form, and an Adult (Training) membership is for players who want to train without playing league matches.
Exeter (Sidmouth Road) · Team sports · £36.50 a month; first night free
Weekly six-a-side football league for men who want to lose weight: each session starts with a weigh-in, then a game, with bonus goals for weight lost. Run with Exeter City Community Trust.
New here? Register online; a coach gets in touch and your first night is a free taster to meet your club coach and the other players.
Exeter (Summer Lane / Riverside) · Team sports · £6 per person, pay as you go
Pay-as-you-go social netball in Exeter: ladies' Back to Netball sessions for newcomers and returners, plus a mixed session with a beginners hour. Suits adults of any ability who want a game without joining a league.
New here? Ladies sessions are for people trying netball for the first time, returning after a break, or wanting a no-commitment social game; mixed session has a social/beginners hour. Some posts mention a free first session.
Exeter (Stoke Hill) · Team sports · £45 per team a week, split between…
Social netball league on floodlit outdoor courts at St James' School, open to all abilities. You can sign up alone and be placed in a team; umpires help with the rules if you're returning to the game.
New here? Individuals can register and are placed in a team (98% of women joined as individuals in 2025); open to all abilities, with umpires helping players returning after time away.
Training runs September to April at Riverside Leisure Centre: Monday ladies, Wednesday ladies and men…
Exeter (St Thomas) · Team sports
Exeter's volleyball club, training at Riverside Leisure Centre from September to April. Friendly sessions for all levels, including a Friday beginners' session, with a route into league teams.
New here? Welcomes players of all levels, 'whether you're trying volleyball for the first time or looking to refine your skills'. Sessions must be pre-booked through the club's site; non-members should contact the club before attending.
Wonford · Team sports · First four sessions free; later cost…
Wheelchair rugby club with a weekly Saturday session at Wonford Sports Centre for people with a permanent physical disability. The first four sessions are free and chairs can be arranged.
New here? First four sessions free; message ahead so the club can arrange a suitable wheelchair. Anyone can come and watch.
A friendly weekly five-a-side game for women of all levels on the University of Exeter Sports Park pitches, with numbers changing from week to week.
New here? All levels welcome; join the group on Meetup and RSVP for the week you want to play.
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.
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.
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.