What we’re about
About our group:
We're a friendly and very welcoming group of guys based in and around Exeter in Devon. We meet up regularly for evening drinks, group walks and weekends away but we're always open to other suggestions and welcome members organising events. See our events page for the forthcoming events and also to see what we've been up to recently. We look forwarded to welcoming you!
If you have any questions about our events, please send a message via the meetup app to Stewart (group co-ordinator).
Funding the group:
It costs over £200 a year to maintain our Meetup group. This is the fee charged by Meetup to keep our site on the app. We would be really grateful if you are able to make a small contribution towards this fee which can be done at the link below.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/8a8xs-maintain-the-exeter-gay-men-meetup-group?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet-first-launch&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Summer Solstice Weekend in North DevonBottom Meadow Car Park, LYNTON
Join us for a weekend on the North Devon coast, based in the idyllic town of Lynton, which along with Lynmouth makes for an ideal base for walking and sightseeing.
We'll meet at 13:00 at the Bottom Meadow Car Park in Lynton on Saturday 21st June and then do a circa 8 mile walk (around 500m ascent) to the west towards the Valley of Rocks, Lee Abbey and Woody Bay (please bring food and drink as there are no places to buy refreshments along the way).
Returning to Lynton for late afternoon, we'll have time to check-in to accommodation and we'll then meet for dinner around 7pm in one of the town's restaurants. We will ask for details of who'd like to join the dinner and dietary requirements in due course.
On Sunday, we'll meet at 10:00 and walk around 6 miles (450m ascent) to the stunning Watersmeet and have a refreshment break at the National Trust café. Returning along the riverbank, we'll have time to look around Lynmouth (where there is a poignant Memorial Hall to remember those who died in the 1952 flood) before returning to Lynton via the Victorian funicular cliff railway (or by the steep walk up the path). There is another café at the top!
There is currently plenty of accommodation available in Lynton for the night of Saturday 21 June and you are responsible for arranging your own accommodation. If you'd like to just join for one of the days, or do both days but not stay overnight, you are very welcome.
Lynton can be reached by the 309 and 310 bus services from Barnstaple Station (which has trains from Exeter). The summer timetable is not yet available but there should be buses on both the Saturday and Sunday. Please check timetables after Easter this year.
The walks are moderate-to-strenuous with some steep sections on cliff paths but we won't be rushing along. Please wear good walking shoes or boots and bring plenty of water for the walks, as well as snacks you may need.
We will post more details about the evening meal in due course.
Look forward to seeing you all in North Devon for the Solstice!
- Sidmouth and the Donkeys: Sunday WalkSidmouth Triangle, Sidmouth
Join us for an 8 mile walk (400m ascent) from the Regency town of Sidmouth to explore some of the stunning scenery along the cliffs to the east of the town. We'll pass the Observatory on Salcombe Hill, before heading along the South West Coast Path to Weston Mouth Beach, where we will break for a packed lunch (please remember to bring your lunch or buy food in Sidmouth beforehand). We'll then head inland to the famous Donkey Sanctuary, where we'll have time to visit the donkeys (free entry) and visit the excellent café. We'll then return via beautiful Salcombe Regis and head back into Sidmouth, where we can get more refreshments if needed.
This is a walk of steep ups and downs but with rewarding views and lots of variation in beautiful scenery. Please bring plenty of water and wear good quality walking shoes.
Well behaved dogs welcome and must be kept on a lead at all times at the Donkey Sanctuary.
There are a number of car parks in Sidmouth close to the meeting point, which is the Triangle bus stop in the centre (EX10 8PF). Buses are available from Exeter to coincide with the start and finish times, see the 9/9A timetable.
Image credit: Sidmouth from Road to Peak Hill, Sidmouth, Devon by Christine Matthews, licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en
- Balloons, Walk, Dinner and Drinks in BristolBristol Temple Meads Railway Station, Bristol
Join us for a Saturday afternoon walk around north Bristol, dinner, drinks and the opportunity to watch a mass ascent of balloons from Bristol Balloon Fiesta (weather permitting).
We’ll meet at Bristol Temple Meads railway station at 12pm and begin a walk through the inner city to trendy Gloucester Road, which is known as Europe’s longest stretch of independent shops. We’ll stop for a light lunch at one of the independent cafes there such as The Nectar House.
Following this we’ll head up hill to walk through Redland Green to the tennis club there where we can watch some of the action and take advantage of the bar if we like. We can then enjoy some spectacular views over the city as we walk up to and across some of The Downs, a large area of parkland. We’ll then walk down Pembroke Road past Bristol’s modern catholic cathedral. There will be the opportunity to visit the interesting Old Saints Church, the centre of which was destroyed in the blitz and later partially rebuilt in a modern style.
We can stop for refreshments at the Clifton Lido cafe/bar and relax watching the swimmers in the outside pool. Weather permitting there should be a mass ascent of around 100 balloons at 6pm. We could watch this from a good vantage point such as Brandon Hill or near the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Dinner is booked for 7.30pm at Browns in Clifton. After this we can go for drinks in Bristol’s gay village, Old Market. We’ll start at the Old Castle Green pub and for those that like to stay out later finish at the Bristol Bear Bar (BBB).
Choosing and booking accommodation will be up to the individual/couple to pay for. It will of course be possible to join us later in the day or leave earlier. I recommend booking hotels early. At the time of writing the Ibis Temple Meads Quay (very near to our final destination of the day) is £98 for the night.
Please drop me a message if there are any questions, and keep an eye out for any updates to these arrangements.
