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.
Cranbrook · Running · parkrun free; ask the club about…
Cranbrook-based running club meeting on Monday and Wednesday evenings, open to complete beginners and experienced runners, with a couch to 5k course twice a year. It also hosts the free Saturday parkrun and Sunday junior parkrun in Cranbrook Country Park.
New here? Club runs are open to complete beginners as well as seasoned runners; couch to 5k twice a year. For parkrun, register once with parkrun before your first run; junior parkrun is for children aged 4 to 14.
Exeter (Exeter Arena) · Running · Fees on the club's Training Fees…
Athletics club training on the track at Exeter Arena for juniors from age 8 and adults, from beginners to experienced athletes. Coaches hold UKA licences and are DBS checked.
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.
Clyst St Mary (east of Exeter) · Racket sports · Not listed on the club page; prices…
Indoor padel club with six courts at Hill Barton, running weekly Intro to Padel and beginners' coaching, mixed-ability socials and a women's coffee morning. Rackets and balls can be hired.
New here? Intro to Padel sessions and Beginner Coaching (0-0.9 level); socials are mixed ability; rackets and balls available to rent on site.
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.
New here? Newcomers email the welcome desk; temporary (trial) membership is available. First-timers should arrive by 6:15pm (juniors) or 7pm (seniors) to do paperwork. Some senior groups may be full from 1 May to 19 June.
Exeter (Quay and River Valley Park) · Running · Free
Free weekly timed 5km run at Exeter Quay and River Valley Park, open to walkers, joggers and runners at any pace. Register once with parkrun and bring your barcode.
New here? Open to everyone; register once on parkrun.org.uk before the first run.
Exeter (starts at Exeter Phoenix) · Running · Free
Weekly group run to a local community task (gardening, litter picking), then back. Short distances of 1-2km in total, so it suits beginners who can run for 15 minutes.
New here? New GoodGymers welcome; labelled ideal for beginners. If you cannot run 15 minutes without stopping, contact GoodGym first.
Thursday evening club night from the Quay with two groups: a 10-12k or structured session, and a chattier paced 8-10k. Suits regular runners; newcomers can come for a free trial.
New here? Come along for a free trial; ask for the founder on arrival and you will be paired with a member.
A social run club for all abilities, running 4km and 5km routes with the odd challenge every Tuesday evening, plus a first-Sunday run with Between Bread.
New here? All abilities welcome. Message the club on Instagram for the meeting point.
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.
Tennis, squash and racketball at the club in Countess Wear: coach-led social doubles on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and a no-booking Friday evening squash session, with routes in for complete beginners.
New here? Everyone is welcome, including beginners: three free trial tennis sessions (sign up and play the same day), ‘Get into Racketball’ tasters and six-week adult squash courses, plus women-only sessions.
Exeter (Wonford and Riverside) · Racket sports · £4 a session, or free for Exeter…
Social, beginner-friendly and skills sessions of pickleball, a paddle game played on a badminton-sized court, at Exeter's council sports centres. Balls and paddles are provided.
New here? Sunday afternoon social is ‘ideal for beginners’ and the Wednesday 10:30am social welcomes beginners; a taster session runs on Monday mornings (contact the club first). The centres lend balls and paddles free.
Exwick · Racket sports · Group coaching £8 non-members (£7…
LTA club at the Exwick Sports Hub with weekly adult group coaching for beginners and improvers, plus club sessions non-members can join for a small fee.
New here? Adult and student group coaching for Beginner and Improver players on Wednesdays; club sessions cover Beginner to Advanced and are open to non-members for £7. Register through the club's WhatsApp community (link on the site)
Social Mix-Ins, open to all abilities, run on different evenings
Exeter (Haven Banks) · Racket sports · Social Mix-In about £15 per…
Nine indoor padel courts and two pickleball courts at Haven Banks, opened in September 2026. Runs 'Social Mix-In' sessions where players are matched with different partners, so no group is needed.
New here? Mixed Social Mix-In listed as open to all abilities; coaching available.
Adult tennis at the university's tennis centre, open to anyone: five-week beginners' courses, improver and advanced groups, pay-and-play mornings and a Wednesday club night for players who can already rally.
New here? The page says anyone can play. Five-week Beginners courses (Mondays 8pm or Thursdays 6pm, starting 2 and 5 Nov 2026). Club Night and Pay & Play are for players who can rally, serve and return; Club Night is not suitable for complete beginners.
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.