Some of our family live 25 miles north of Bristol (the City). They invariably choose BHX over BRS as the route to BRS ftom the north takes as long as the one up to BHX. And trying to get to BRS in the Summer via a car-jammed M5 is a DEFINITE no-no. OK, I know the M42 is no picnic either.
All of which has nowt to do with the subject 'Exeter'. Sorree.