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.
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.
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)
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)
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.
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.
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.
Historical European martial arts club teaching longsword, with wrestling and medieval dagger classes. Runs periodic beginner sessions that book up quickly.
New here? Beginners longsword sessions run through the year (the January 2026 one was fully booked; more planned)
Exeter (Beacon Heath) · Boxing & combat fitness · Monthly: £30 (1 class a week), £55…
Sport kickboxing and Te-Ashi-Do karate for children from four and adults, with a free first lesson. Opened its own centre at Beacon Heath in 2026 after years in hired halls.
New here? You can try any class for free; ‘Taking on new students now’
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
New here? Always open to welcoming beginners; contact an instructor with any questions.
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 (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 (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.
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 (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.
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.
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 (St David's) · Music & singing · First session free; termly…
Wren Music's longest-running community folk choir, learning traditional and new folk songs by ear. No auditions, no need to read music, and the first session is free.
New here? Open access: anyone can join, no auditions or waiting lists, no experience or music reading needed. First session free; then register for a term, half term or drop in.
Exeter (city centre) · Arts & crafts · £25 a session plus £1.50 booking fee
Monthly photography meet-up at Exeter Phoenix with tutor Vanessa Miles: shoot together on a theme and share your pictures and projects. For people who can already use their camera's manual settings.
New here? For people with some experience (able to use manual camera settings), or who have done the Phoenix beginners’ course. 8 places per session; book ahead.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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’
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.
Tue6:15pm
Wed4 sessions from 10:45am
Thu6:15pm, 7:15pm
Fri6:15pm
Sun5pm
Exeter (St David's) · Martial arts · Monthly membership; free taster class
A multi-discipline school teaching Brazilian jiu-jitsu, traditional jiu jitsu, kickboxing, kenjutsu and tai chi, with children's and women's classes. No experience needed, and every discipline has a free taster.
New here? No experience is needed for any class; free taster class available for every discipline; flexible monthly membership with no long-term contract.
Exeter (Wonford) · Martial arts · First lesson free
Exeter School of Taekwon-Do, running since 1992, teaches Taekwon-Do to children, juniors and adults on Wednesday evenings at Wonford Sports Centre.
New here? Free trial lesson; book through the club's timetable page.
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Adult classes seven days a week and ladies-only kickboxing on Sundays
Exeter (St Thomas) · Boxing & combat fitness · First session free; no long…
A Muay Thai and kickboxing gym near St Thomas with beginner Positive Start classes for adults, ladies-only kickboxing and junior classes. First session is free on any programme.
New here? First session free on any martial arts programme; ‘Positive Start’ classes teach Muay Thai basics, with several beginner classes each week; gloves can be lent.
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.
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.
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)
Wed
4 sessions from 4pm
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tue10:15am
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.
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.
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)
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.
Tue5:30pm, 7:30pm
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.
Talk, languages & learning
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.