New Hampshire

Scenes From Exeter, New Hampshire

A closer look at the historic river town of Exeter, New Hampshire, from photographer Mark Fleming.

Exeter, NH

Coffee By Design | Portland, Maine

Photo Credit : Katherine Keenan

Just eight miles from the coast and 20 minutes from Portsmouth, the historic river town of Exeter, New Hampshire, is ideally situated. Here you can enjoy memorable meals, great shopping, and leisurely rambles past centuries-old buildings, all the while soaking up the vibe of a coastal retreat without tourists or traffic.

Among the leading claims to fame of Exeter, founded in 1638, is Phillips Exeter Academy — the venerable prep school (c. 1781) immortalized in John Knowles’s classic novel A Separate Peace and the alma mater of Daniel Webster, John Irving, and Mark Zuckerberg, among others. The school melts 672 beautiful acres into the downtown, with walking trails, colonial-era buildings, and a hefty allotment of academic brick.

On busy Water Street, you’re apt to overhear students talking about their academy activities, possibly over a perfectly brewed chai latte at D²Java, or under a red umbrella at Laney & Lu Café with an Epic Egg Sammie in hand. Follow Water Street down to Swasey Parkway, and you can stroll the half-mile path that hugs a riverbank once lined with docks and wharves — you can almost hear the creaking of wooden ships. 

The following are some of our favorite images by Yankee senior photographer Mark Fleming for the “Exeter, New Hampshire | Could You Live Here?” feature in the March/April 2018 issue.

Scenes From Exeter, New Hampshire

Exeter, NH
Aerial view of downtown Exeter, New Hampshire.
Photo Credit : Mark Fleming
Phillips Exeter Academy crew team practicing on the Squamscott River.
Photo Credit : Mark Fleming
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Crew members carry their eight-person scull from the Saltonstall Boathouse.
Photo Credit : Mark Fleming
Members of the boys crew team from Phillips Exeter Academy strike a pose in front of the school’s boathouse.
Photo Credit : Mark Fleming
A view of downtown Exeter from the water.
Photo Credit : Mark Fleming
Laney & Lu Café, a local favorite, on Water Street.
Photo Credit : Mark Fleming
A reenactor plays the part at the historic encampments during the annual American Independence Festival.
Photo Credit : Mark Fleming
The historic Town Hall, seen from the Swasey Pavilion.
Photo Credit : Mark Fleming
Art by graffiti artist Banksy adorns the wall at chef Lee Frank’s restaurant, Otis.
Photo Credit : Mark Fleming
Water Street Bookstore is the largest independent bookstore on the Seacoast.
Photo Credit : Mark Fleming
Philips Exeter Academy’s eye-catching library was designed by architect Louis Kahn in 1965.
Photo Credit : Mark Fleming
Students flock to the campus green at Phillips Exeter Academy.
Photo Credit : Mark Fleming
The brick smokestack is a holdover from Exeter’s manufacturing heyday.
Photo Credit : Mark Fleming
The American Independence Museum’s Ladd-Gilman House, appropriately adorned with an American flag.
Photo Credit : Mark Fleming

Heather Marcus

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  1. I grew up next to Exeter in Kensington and seeing this wonderful article brings back a million wonderful memories of life and celebrations in lovely Exeter. LOVED it… thank you!

  2. Hello, I went to school ( a long time ago 1960’s) to Emerson School in Exeter. Does anyone remember the school or attended there? It was a great start to my education.

  3. I attended UNH, class of 1974, and had a car. I visited Exeter several times while I lived in Durham. One semester I had the “ideal schedule”: classes at 8:00am, 9:00am, 10:00am and 11:00am M, W & F (every afternoon off and all day Tu and Th). Boy did I have fun that semester!!!!!!!! I’m a history buff and a friend of one of my cousins had an antiques shop in Kennebunk, ME on Main St., after moving there from Boston, MA, where she also had shops. I visited her frequently there and bought a lot of really nice things from her over a period of time. I didn’t know “Mr. Z” went “there”; not surprising he is “so smart”. I’m glad he is helping people with his fortune; that makes me very happy about him.

  4. Called on local businesses in Exeter for years, love the town and it’s people. Especially the Curtain shop on water street.

  5. Mara, you should check out Hemingway’s restaurant a few doors down from us. They’re now featuring Loaf & Ladle breads in some of their dishes!

  6. Thank you so much for spotlighting my Beloved HOMEtown of Exeter, NH. I have such fond memories. I was blessed to be able to work at PEA and Gerry’s Luncheonette during my High School years. Though I’ve lived in PA longer than I lived in NH, EXETER will ALWAYS be HOME for me.

  7. Does no one recall The Real Diary of A Real Boy. Which described Exeter, NH over a period of years in the mid 19th century?

  8. Exeter also has a great, and increasingly rare, downtown music store. Will put Laney & Lu on the “Go To” list. Thanks for the excellent Exeter primer!