Exeter Quay

The perfect place on a summer's day to forget you're in a city. The red stone warehouses that line the River Exe at Exeter Quay are home to antiques markets, pubs and restaurants, many with alfresco dining. There's been a quay on the site since Roman times, but by the 14th century the route to the sea had been cut off by an incredibly sharp piece of business practice.

Those with vested interests in forcing trade to the port of Topsham to the south, built a weir across the river - severing the city's water link. Undeterred, John Trew built the first ship canal in Britain in 1563 to restore access to the sea. The quay has open-air jazz on Sundays between June and September, and summertime Slow Food Markets on the third Saturday of the month. You can also hire bikes and kayaks.