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Sunset

Sunset behind the General

Catch the sun setting directly behind the Redvers Buller statue from Northernhay Gardens. It is a rare alignment that only happens for a few days in spring and late summer.

Best time: 16 April to 20 April or 22 August to 26 August. The sun sets around 20:10 local time.About 75 min

Timeline

  1. 19:25

    Dinosaur Café

    Grab a quick bite at Dinosaur Café. Their meze dishes are delicious and portions are large. It is a small, family-owned spot that is perfect for a pre-sunset snack.

  2. 19:50

    Northernhay Gardens

    Walk 8 minutes ESE to Northernhay Gardens. This is the oldest public open space in England. Find a spot on the northern side of Rougemont Castle with a clear view of the junction where the Redvers Buller statue stands.

  3. 20:10

    Northernhay Gardens

    Watch the sunset. On the selected dates, the sun sets directly behind the equestrian statue. The line of sight is computed, so arrive early to secure the best vantage point.

  4. 20:40

    The Fat Pig

    Head to The Fat Pig for a late evening meal. It is a 13-minute walk from the gardens. The atmosphere is central yet rustic, and they even rear their own pigs. It is open until 23:00 on weekdays and 24:00 on Saturdays.

Local tip

The alignment is specific to the dates listed. If you are visiting in May or August, check the specific window for that month as the sunset time shifts slightly.

Check before you go

  • Dinosaur Café is open Mo-Sa 10:00-21:00. Ensure you visit before 21:00.
  • The Fat Pig is open Mo-Fr 17:00-23:00; Sa 12:00-24:00; Su 12:00-17:00. Check the day of your visit.

Worth knowing

  • Sun position is calculated. We have not confirmed the view is unobstructed.
  • Dinosaur Café is open at 19:25 only on Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fr, Sa
  • The Fat Pig is open at 20:40 only on Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fr, Sa

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Exeter (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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