THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN YOU ARRIVE IN EXETER

If you have come a long way to make Exeter your new home, you may not know some basic information that will help you get you settled in nice and quickly. Here is some such info that should make life easier…

WHERE TO GO FOR THE 'BIG SHOP'

Tesco

Russell Way, Exeter, EX2 7EZ 0845 677 9263
Here you will find a home section with everything from duvets through to radios, and the usual grocerys, plus a petrol station. It is also close to Currys and PC World for your technical and electric needs. Plenty of car parking, but best to avoid it between 5 and 6pm when everyone ‘pop’s in’ after finishing work across the road at Pynes Hill. Open 24 hours.

Sainsbury

Alphington Cross Store, Alphington Rd, Exeter, Devon, EX2 8NH 01392 210707
One of two large Sainsburys in the city – this one is more popular for people entering the city from the South (ie Cornwall/Torbay etc), and for those who living south of the River Exe. This one does not have a home dept, and can sometimes be quite busy.
1 Hill Barton Road, Pinhoe, Exeter, EX1 3PF 01392 460 669
You will find a home dept here, with lots of homely bargains. The food range is great, and the store is set out leaving lots of space to make it feel less horrific. Open until 7-11pm.

Aldi

Exeter Exhibition Way Exeter EX4 8JD
Fill up your trolley for about £40! A very unusual experience these days. This is agreat place for cheap fruit and veg, cupboard essentials, and even has a lovely bakery section. Just across the road from the big Sainsbury’s – so we suggest popping in here to get the staples, and then whipping round Sainsbury for the more gourmet needs you may have. Brilliantly cheap booze too. Open 9-7pm. Note: don’t forget £1 for the trolley and your own carrier bags.

Lidl

Alphington Road, Exeter , EX2 8JB or
Burnt House Lane, Wonford, Exeter EX2 6NF
Random German goods, mixed in with some you will recognise. Some things are very good value, where some you could probably find cheaper in one of the better known stores – shop wisely. Also sell some interesting home bits and bobs.

Asda

Exeter is lacking an ASDA. The nearest is in Newton Abbot – however they have recently started offering home delivery for online orders to some parts of the city. Check on the site if your address fits into this category.

WHERE CAN I KIT OUT MY HOME

Primark

Guildhall Shopping Centre, EX4 3EJ 01392 420931
Open until 6pm, Primark is an obvious choice for bargain bed clothes, pillows and towels. It also sells some cheap scatter cushions and candles for the homely touches. Find the home section downstairs.

Argos

Guildhall shopping Centre, Exeter or Stone Lane Retail Park Marsh Barton
Look out for the 2 for 1 duvet cover and sheet deals. The Marsh Barton store is houses near Curry’s, Comet, and Staples for any other bits you might need. You can order bits you need online and reserve them for pickup on the day if you want to save trouble.

Woolworths

Guildhall Shopping Centre, Exeter, EX4 3HP 01392 254578
THE cheapest place for duvets and pillows. Also get a duvet set for £7! This would be our top recommendation as a place to go if you are looking for budget home solutions.

Poundstretcher

35-36 Sidwell St, Exeter, EX4 6NS 0870 240 4600
Don’t wear your coat here – this shop is like jumping inside a heater – so you won’t want to be layered up if you want to spend any time browsing! A good range of home goods.

Poundland

13-15 Sidwell Street, Exeter, EX4 6NN 01392 252237
Great priced tupperwear, utensils, and cleaning prodicts. Everything for £1!

TK Maxx

Unit 3, The Exebridge Centre, Exeter, EX4 1AH 01392 493500
Has a home section upstairs where you can be sure of a bargain. Rugs, duvet covers, saucepans, cutlery and crockery always feature.

Car Boot Sale

Matford Centre, Marsh Barton
This happens every Sunday from 6.45am – 12.45pm. One mans rubbish is another mans treasure or something like that. This is a very well attended car boot, so worth stocking up with cash and heading down in search of a bargain or two! Make sure you get an early night though!

Ikea

The nearest Ikea is in Bristol. They do have an online ordering section though. For smaller goods that can be posted this is probably safe, but for anything larger – you are better to take up your car or hire a van to get it and bring it home yourself – I recently ordered a kitchen, which was rearranged about 5 times before I just drove up and got it myself (about 2 months after it had originally been promised)…Worth a trip if you are moving somewhere that needs some extra furniture though.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Bus

Stagecoach run the local buses. You can find route timetables at their website or call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33.

Taxi

Add these numbers to your phone now, so they are there when you need them and don’t have a phone directory handy!
Gemini Taxis, Verney House, 115, Sidwell St, EX4 6RY - 01392 666 666 (these were the University approved firm until October 2008 – and offer 10% off with a university ID – watch this space to see if this is continued after October).
Capital Taxis, 6 Isambard Parade, EX4 4BX - 01392 433 433

Train

There are stations on Queen Street (central), in St Davids (Exeter St Davids), also smaller station in St Thomas and St James. Map courtesy of First Great Western.