Spacex

Spacex sits just outside Exeter and is one of those arts centres that actually justifies the trip. It's a working creative hub rather than a stuffy gallery - you'll find performance spaces, exhibition rooms, and studios where artists are genuinely making things. The building itself has character; it feels lived-in and purposeful rather than polished to sterility.

What you get depends on what's on, really. There's always something - theatre productions, visual art shows, comedy nights, workshops. The program changes regularly enough that it's worth checking what's running before you visit. It's the kind of place where you might catch a local theatre company mid-rehearsal or stumble into an interesting contemporary art installation. Families with teenagers will find more here than younger kids, though they do programme family-friendly stuff now and then.

The venue works brilliantly as part of a wider Exeter arts pilgrimage - the city's got decent galleries and independent cinemas dotted about. If you're staying at Devon Heaven Hideaways near Exeter, Spacex is close enough for an evening out without much faffing about. It's not a sprawling all-day mission; plan on two to three hours depending on what's on. Admission costs vary by event, so check their schedule before heading over. Well worth factoring into a Devon break if you're after proper cultural stuff rather than just coastal walks.