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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Next:Sun 15 Nov 12pm
Exeter and around · Walking & hiking
Sociable group walks around Exeter and Devon, often finishing with food together.
New here? Join the group on Meetup and RSVP for a walk.
Walks are announced one by one on the events page, at different places around South East Devon, usually…
South East Devon · Walking & hiking · Free
Free guided social walks for dog owners across South East Devon, led by rangers, with time to let dogs run and meet others. Run by Devon Loves Dogs, a free membership scheme that promotes responsible dog walking in the countryside.
New here? Free; book each walk on the events page. Usually one dog per person, on a lead at the meeting point.
Walks are listed individually on the Ramblers site
Exeter and Devon · Walking & hiking · Free to try three walks, then…
Ramblers group with longer Sunday walks, shorter mid-week walks and leisurely ambles of up to 3 miles from points around Exeter.
New here? New walkers can try three walks before being asked to join the Ramblers.
Open daily 9am–5pm
Exmouth · 11 miles from the centre · Watersports
An RYA-accredited centre on Exmouth seafront teaching paddleboarding, kitesurfing and wingsurfing, with paddleboard hire. Suits people wanting to learn a board sport with an instructor.
New here? Lessons and courses in paddleboarding, kitesurfing and wingsurfing, booked online.
Weekly racing in season
Exmouth · 11 miles from the centre · Watersports · See membership fees page; RYA Level 2…
Exmouth dinghy club with weekly racing, RYA courses and a Get Racing scheme for new racers. It runs taster sails and open days and has a Sailability programme for disabled people.
New here? Taster sails (20 minutes, free at past open days) and RYA courses; Get Racing programme for new racers; join via the website.
Exeter (Quay) · Watersports · Free taster session
Dragon boat club paddling on the Exeter Canal at the quay. Equipment and coaching are provided and newcomers can book a free taster.
Exeter (city centre) · Social dance · £8 for one class, £10 for two on the…
Drop-in salsa classes on Monday evenings at Exeter Phoenix, with a beginners' class, a technique class and an improvers' class. No partner or experience needed.
New here? Drop-in, so you can start any week; no experience needed and your first beginners' class is free.
Ceilidh nights on Friday evenings, roughly monthly (doors 8pm, dancing until 11pm, licensed bar), with a…
Pinhoe, Exeter · Social dance · About £15–£16.50 per ticket
Periodic Friday ceilidh nights at America Hall in Pinhoe with a live band and a caller, no partner or experience needed. Suits groups of friends and first-timers.
New here? Absolute beginners very welcome, no partner necessary, no dress code (18+)
Pinhoe, Alphington and Marsh Barton · Social dance · Daytime £8 including tea or coffee…
Ballroom, Latin and popular sequence dance classes for couples and singles of all ages, with daytime sessions in Pinhoe and Alphington and a Thursday evening class for beginners and intermediates.
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.
Monthly on a Saturday, 6–7:30pm
Topsham · Yoga & pilates · £25
A monthly Saturday evening group gong bath in Topsham: lie down and relax for 90 minutes while gongs and other instruments are played.
New here? Book online; sessions often sell out.
Exeter (city centre) · Yoga & pilates · £5 or donation
A weekly Tibetan Buddhist meditation class in central Exeter: calm-abiding meditation followed by a talk, with refreshments. Open to everyone, no experience needed.
New here? Open to everyone, no experience needed, no need to book; come as often as you like.
St Thomas · Yoga & pilates · £8–£8.50 a class
Chen-style tai chi classes at the St Thomas Centre on Monday and Tuesday mornings and Tuesday evenings. The school is always open to welcoming beginners.
Always open to welcoming beginners; contact an instructor with any questions.
Exeter (city centre) · Fitness · £8
Relaxed dance class for over-50s at Exeter Phoenix, moving to world and other music with fun, easy-to-follow routines. Dance experience is welcome but not needed.
New here? Some come with dance experience, others with none; all levels.
Exeter (Countess Wear, Mount Pleasant Road, Whipton) · Fitness · £7 a session (one page says £6.50)
Gentle weekly qigong/tai chi and chair-based exercise groups run by Age UK Exeter in Countess Wear, Mount Pleasant and Whipton, with refreshments.
New here? Moves can be done seated or standing; pay as you go, no commitment.
Next:Fri 30 Oct 5pm
Exeter (city centre) · Talk, languages & learning
An informal meetup for readers and writers to talk about what they're writing, or not writing, hosted by a local novelist.
New here? New and experienced writers alike are welcome.
Exeter (city centre) · Talk, languages & learning
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.
Meeting times and place are given on request
Exeter · Talk, languages & learning
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.
Haldon Forest Park, Kennford · 7 miles from the centre · Walking & hiking · £10 a week, reduced if paid up front…
Instructor-led Nordic fitness walking at Haldon Forest Park in six-week blocks; newcomers start with an induction session.
New here? Complete a Nordic walking induction first (monthly, on a Monday, £10 including poles)
Exeter (Quay) · Walking & hiking, Yoga & pilates · Free
Free groups for adults run by the Step One charity from the X Centre: an easy-paced walk of about 3 miles along the Exe from the Quay, and an eight-week Yoga4Wellbeing course for any ability or health condition.
New here? Walk-ins welcome on the walk (registering helps). The yoga course is open to all abilities and health conditions; sign up through BeWell (course 222)
Exeter (various) · Walking & hiking · Free (donations welcome); coffee stop…
Free guided health walks led by trained volunteers from the charity Westbank, at ten places around Exeter. Walks are graded from short and flat to about 90 minutes, and most end with an optional coffee.
New here? Anyone can turn up and join in; no need to book. Wear suitable clothing and supportive shoes and bring water.
New here? Free taster session; get in touch before turning up so they can accommodate you.
Exeter (Haven Road and Riverside Leisure Centre) · Watersports · Try dive £30 adults, £20 juniors…
BSAC diving club based at the Haven Road water sports site, training new divers in the pool at Riverside and diving off the Devon coast all year. It suits complete beginners, lapsed divers and qualified divers from any agency.
New here? ‘If you can swim, then come and talk to us.’ Complete beginners and people who haven't dived for years are welcome at the Friday social; try dives run on Tuesday evenings (book in advance)
Learn-to-row courses run in blocks of four weeks, with two sessions a week (Wednesday evenings and weekend…
Exeter (Haven Road) · Watersports · Four-week taster course £40, then…
Rowing club on the Exeter Ship Canal and River Exe. Adults new to the sport start with a four-week Introduction to Rowing course, with coaching in small boats.
New here? No previous experience needed: start with the four-week adult taster course (£40). Juniors aged 12 to 16 get two free trial sessions. A British Rowing membership number is needed to join.
Trains on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with volunteer patrols on summer Sundays
Exmouth · 11 miles from the centre · Watersports
A volunteer surf life saving club on Exmouth beach training lifeguards and running summer beach patrols. New adult members are welcome with no previous experience; juniors join via a waiting list.
New here? New senior members welcome, no previous experience needed; adults can visit the beach to see the club or get in touch. Juniors (Nippers 7 to 12, Graduate Lifeguards 13+) via a waiting list form.
Regular rows at weekends and in evenings (light permitting)
Exmouth · 11 miles from the centre · Watersports
Cornish pilot gig rowing off Exmouth beach, open to all ages with no experience needed. New rowers do about three intro sessions before deciding to join.
New here? Intro sessions for complete beginners, open to all ages; first session includes launching the boat, a briefing and a 45-minute row; up to two further sessions before joining. Run on safe, slack tides only.
Exmouth · 10 miles from the centre · Watersports · Two free trial rows; then a pro rata…
Friendly community rowing club on Exmouth seafront, rowing stable coastal boats on the estuary and at sea, recreationally or in regattas. It suits adults of any age with no experience.
New here? Two free trial rows during Sunday club sessions before joining; new starter inductions roughly once a month, with an indoor rowing machine lesson then a trial row in a quad with a ‘buddy’
Lessons and courses run on dates in the online booking system
Exmouth · 10 miles from the centre · Watersports · RYA Start Windsurfing (2 days) £249…
An RYA-registered watersports centre on the Exe estuary at Exmouth, teaching windsurfing from first lessons, plus paddleboard lessons and sit-on-top kayak tours on shallow, flat water.
New here? RYA Start Windsurfing is a two-day beginners' course; paddleboard lessons are for beginners and include all equipment.
Sailing and racing programme April to September, tide dependent (roughly two hours either side of high water)
Lympstone · 9 miles from the centre · Watersports · Adult £70 a year, joint adult £95…
Family-friendly sailing club on the Exe estuary at Lympstone with dinghy, day boat and cruiser racing from April to September, RYA training for members and a busy social calendar.
New here? Describes itself as ‘family friendly and great for meeting new people’; members help with training, race and safety boat duties, which ‘makes it easy for new members to meet people’. RYA training courses are for members.
Racing on Sundays and other programmed days, tide dependent
Starcross · 9 miles from the centre · Watersports · Subscriptions on the club's price…
A dinghy, catamaran and yacht club on the west bank of the Exe estuary with year-round racing, training for members and a junior section. Membership has no waiting list.
New here? No waiting list for membership; visitors are invited to come along on a race day.
Topsham · Watersports · Membership fees on the club's…
A friendly sailing club on the Exe estuary running dinghy, yawl and cruiser racing plus a social calendar. It welcomes new members who simply want to sail.
New here? Welcomes new members; ‘all that is needed is enthusiasm for sailing’. Prospective members can visit on race nights or events to meet the Membership Secretary.
New here? Brand-new beginners/intermediates evening class for 2026; teaching paced to each student, and singles welcome.
Exeter (city centre) · Social dance · 1 class + social £8; 2 classes +…
Weekly Tuesday evening salsa and bachata beginner classes followed by a social dance at Southernhay Church Hall. Suitable for beginners and people coming alone.
New here? Beginner classes every week.
Exeter (Exwick) · Social dance · Free taster sessions
Scottish country dancing classes on Monday and Thursday evenings at Exwick Parish Hall, with regular social dances to live music. A new beginners' course started this autumn after free taster sessions.
New here? ‘Beginners are welcome’; new beginners' course in autumn 2026 with free tasters on 17 and 24 September; all ages welcome.
Exeter (city centre) · Social dance · Block of 4 classes £30 (£26…
Volunteer-run swing dance group teaching Lindy Hop and Charleston in central Exeter, with a Thursday jam and Wednesday class. No partner needed; partners rotate and complete beginners start in Level 1.
New here? Level One classes suit complete beginners; no partner needed; new beginners can start on week 1 of any four-week block.
Exeter (University) · Social dance · Lessons £3 for one or £5 for two…
Weekly ballroom and Latin lessons from beginner to intermediate, run through the Students' Guild. Weekly lessons are open to non-members and non-students aged 18 and over.
New here? Weekly lessons are open to ‘members, non-members and non-students (18+)’; classes start Monday 21 September with beginner tasters in fresher's week.
Exeter (University campus) · Social dance · Associate membership £15, which…
Weekly salsa, bachata and rueda classes at the University of Exeter, taught by named teachers at several levels. Classes are open to students, staff and members of the public, including complete beginners.
New here? Classes are for ‘students, staff and members of the public’; Salsa Fundamentals and Beginners Bachata classes are for newcomers.
Alphington · Social dance · Beginners' course £70 (8 weeks)…
Argentine tango classes in Alphington on Thursday evenings, with an eight-week beginners' course, an intermediate class and practice time, plus a monthly milonga near Exeter. Come alone or with a partner.
New here? Free beginner taster class, then an 8-week beginners' course (latest started 24 September 2026); you can come alone or with a partner, and changing partners is optional.
Exeter · Social dance
Weekly line dancing at The Beacon Community Centre in Exeter, with a beginners' class followed by an improvers' class. No cowboy boots needed: bring water and wear comfortable shoes.
New here? Beginner class each week; no cowboy boots or hats needed, just water and comfortable shoes.
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.
Exeter (city centre) · Dance classes · £8 a class; discounted monthly pass…
Adult ballet for beginners and an open-level contemporary class on Tuesday evenings at DanSci Dance Studio in central Exeter.
New here? Beginner ballet class; contemporary is open level.
Exeter (city centre) · Dance classes
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)
Exeter (city centre) · Dance classes · £6–£7 a session (sources differ)
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) · Yoga & pilates · Orientation £10; intro offer 3…
Boutique reformer Pilates studio in a listed building on Cathedral Close, with 45-minute instructor-led classes and self-led on-demand reformer sessions. Newcomers start with an orientation session.
New here? An orientation session (£10) is required before joining group classes; it covers health and safety, studio housekeeping and a reformer taster. Intro offer: 3 classes for £30, usable in instructor-led and on-demand classes. Grip socks are required.
Exeter (Exeter Phoenix) · Yoga & pilates · Free
Free beginner-friendly meditation sessions at Exeter Phoenix, with short talks, videos and guided practice, sitting on chairs with no mat or special clothing needed.
New here? Everyone welcome, no experience needed; the current 10-week course runs on Monday evenings.
Classes most days
Exeter (Quayside) · Yoga & pilates · See…
Hot yoga in inflatable pods on the Vulcan Estate, bookable class by class or on a membership. Suits all levels.
New here? Timetable listed as suitable for all levels; passes available without membership.
Alphington · Yoga & pilates · Term of 7 classes £77 (£11 each)…
Flowing Hatha yoga classes in Alphington, mixing gentle sequences with restorative postures and relaxation; suitable for all levels, with postures adapted to different abilities.
New here? Suitable for all levels, beginners welcome; postures can be adapted.
St James · Yoga & pilates · Foundations of Meditation £7…
A Buddhist meditation centre near St James running drop-in guided meditation classes with a short talk. You don't need to be Buddhist, and classes suit complete beginners.
New here? All classes suit complete beginners; no need to be Buddhist; classes are self-contained so you can drop in; chairs provided, cushions if you prefer.
Dated sessions every one to three weeks: candlelit sound baths at St James Church Hall (Sun 8 and 29 Nov…
Exeter (St James, Alphington, Broadclyst) · Yoga & pilates · £13.50
Relaxing sound baths held every week or two at halls around Exeter, including candlelit evenings at St James Church Hall and afternoon sessions in Alphington.
New here? Book on Eventbrite from each event page, or pay cash on the door by arrangement.
Exeter (city centre) · Yoga & pilates · Varies by teacher: drop-in £8–£13.50…
A city-centre yoga centre where independent teachers run classes most days, from gentle and somatic yoga to vinyasa, Jivamukti and Iyengar, plus Pilates and an AcroYoga jam.
New here? Several classes are marked suitable for beginners (Beginners Pilates, Gentle Somatic Yoga, Pilates for All Abilities) and most are all levels; mats and equipment are free to use. Teachers run their own classes, so book or ask the teacher.
Exeter (Cowick Barton and Heavitree) · Yoga & pilates · Free
Free outdoor yoga on Sunday mornings in summer at Cowick Barton Playing Fields and Heavitree Pleasure Ground, part of the national Park Yoga scheme. All levels are welcome.
New here? Free sessions; look for the large Park Yoga flag. The Cowick Barton instructor says all levels are most welcome.
Classes run through the week
Woodbury Business Park (east of Exeter) · Yoga & pilates · Intro offers 5 mat classes £45 or 5…
Reformer and mat Pilates studio at Woodbury Business Park, between Exeter and Exmouth, also running hot Pilates and barre. Mindful Motion is the recommended starting class for people new to the reformer.
New here? Mindful Motion welcomes all levels and is the recommended starting point for anyone new to reformer Pilates; arrive a little early and tell your instructor it is your first visit. Intro offers: 5 mat classes for £45 or 5 reformer classes for £70.
Classes run early mornings, lunchtimes and evenings
Exeter (The Depot, Cheeke Street) · Yoga & pilates · New clients: 6 classes for £60 (an…
Studio running 40-minute reformer Pilates classes from early morning to evening, with an intro offer for new clients.
New here? 40-minute reformer workouts for all ages and fitness levels; new clients start with a compulsory orientation workout.
Exeter (Heavitree) · Yoga & pilates
Taoist tai chi classes in Heavitree, with an introductory class on Wednesday mornings. Newcomers can join at any time.
New here? Beginners can join at any time; introductory sessions have their own registration form.
Classes run through the week
Exeter (city centre) · Yoga & pilates · Drop-in £23; 5-class pack £95 (use…
Reformer Pilates studio run by Vyve Gym on North Street, with group classes and private sessions. Every class except Elevate is suitable for beginners, and one-off drop-in classes can be booked.
New here? All classes apart from Elevate are suitable for beginners. A drop-in credit lets you enjoy a class as a one-off, and a 5-day trial gives unlimited reformer Pilates and gym classes.
Contact the gym for class times and a free intro session
Exeter (Marsh Barton) · Fitness
CrossFit affiliate in Exeter offering coached group classes with a free intro for new members.
New here? Free intro session for newcomers; drop-ins by arrangement.
Haldon Forest Park (near Kennford) · 7 miles from the centre · Fitness · £7 a session, paid by card or bank…
A friendly outdoor fitness class in Haldon Forest, with a coach giving exercises for strength, flexibility and fitness. No circuits experience needed, just a basic level such as gentle walking.
New here? No booking: just turn up. Suits a basic fitness level such as gentle walking; no previous circuits experience needed. Bring comfortable clothes for the weather and a bottle of water.
Exeter (Marsh Barton) · Fitness · Drop-in class £12; one-week pass £29…
An official Hyrox training club in Marsh Barton with a sled track and coached group classes in Hyrox conditioning and strength, for anyone from beginners to people training for a race.
New here? One-week free trial with no commitment: sign up, then book as many classes as you like through the PushPress app. A coach introduces themselves, checks you're comfortable and explains the session; you're welcome to drop in just to look around.
Classes run several times a week at Southernhay Hall and Isca Academy
Exeter (city centre and St Loyes) · Fitness · New Customer Trial £29 (2 weeks…
Jazzercise franchise classes mixing dance cardio with strength work, at Southernhay Hall in the city centre and Isca Academy's dance studio. Low-impact and sculpt-only formats suit beginners and all fitness levels.
New here? Jazzercise says its classes are for all levels. A New Customer Trial gives single-class visits and unlimited workouts for 2 weeks with no commitment, described as perfect for those new to Jazzercise.
Mondays in school term time
Exeter (city centre) · Fitness · £9 a class; first session free
Gentle dance and fitness class for over-60s at Exeter Phoenix, with simple exercises, some seated dances and a little ballet at the barre. No dance experience needed.
New here? No dance experience necessary; first session free. Contact the teacher before attending in case of date changes.
Exeter (Marsh Barton) · Fitness · £15 a class
Aerial silks, hoop and pole studio at Marsh Barton with beginner classes and intro courses; no prior experience needed.
New here? Aerial classes for all abilities, no prior experience needed; Intro to Aerial course.
Exeter (city centre) · Fitness · £12 per 60-minute class; packs of…
Pole fitness studio at Exeter Phoenix with beginner, intermediate and advanced pole classes, pole flow, floorwork and heels choreography on weekday evenings. Pay as you go, with free taster sessions.
New here? Complete beginners can join a taster session (held every four weeks) or book straight onto a regular beginners' class; all classes pay as you go. 16+ (under-18s need adult consent)
Exeter (city centre) · Fitness · £5 a session
Friday evening Zumba at Exeter Phoenix: a high-energy dance workout mixing salsa, reggaeton, cumbia and more. For everyone, including people who think they have two left feet.
New here? For everyone, whether a strong dancer or not.
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.
Exeter Quay · Talk, languages & learning · Free
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.