· ·

Brighten Up Your Instagram Feed at This Colourful Exeter Café

If your Instagram feed is feeling a bit beige, this is your sign to grab your phone and head straight to The Glorious Art House on Fore Street, Exeter! It isn’t just a café – it’s an explosion of bright coloured paint, pattern and personality that feels like it was created especially for content creators and colourful brands! Happy days!

Bright, colourful interior of The Glorious Art House café in Exeter, featuring orange and green walls, patterned decor, and a cosy coffee counter - a vibrant spot for creative Instagram photos.

Colour, Coffee & Pure Joy on Fore Street

Founded back in 2014 by Rosy Tydeman, The Glorious Art House was inspired by her love of Mexican and South American art and culture – think bold patterns, joyful tones and a total rejection of the grey British day. She wanted to create a place that felt like sunshine, even when Exeter’s doing its usual “50 shades of drizzle” routine.

It’s now run by Rupa Chilvers, who’s carried that vision forward – keeping the colour, creativity and community spirit alive while giving local artists a space to showcase their work. Each floor has its own personality, from mural-covered walls to a top floor gallery that floods with soft, flattering light – a total dream for photos.

A freshly baked cinnamon roll on a floral plate, set against a colourful tiled table at The Glorious Art House café in Exeter - a vibrant detail perfect for Instagram photos.
Rosie smiling on a red velvet sofa at The Glorious Art House café in Exeter, wearing a pink strawberry jumper and bright pink glasses - a joyful, colourful photo perfect for Instagram and brand photography.
Rosie standing at the counter of The Glorious Art House café in Exeter, smiling and holding a coffee cup while wearing a pink strawberry jumper - a warm, colourful photo perfect for Instagram and personal brand photography.
A golden cherub blowing a trumpet, hanging inside The Glorious Art House café in Exeter, surrounded by warm yellow and turquoise tones — a creative detail perfect for Instagram photography.

Why it’s the perfect instagrammable backdrop for photos

If your brand vibe is creative, colourful or full of heart, this is the perfect spot for pictures! It’s brilliant for coaches, designers, content creators and wellness founders who want pictures filled with warm, vibrant colour that feels joyful and authentic.

Every floor has its own personality – bright, energetic backdrops downstairs, a peaceful little courtyard garden, and soft, natural light upstairs that’s perfect for portraits. Add in all the fabulous artistic details and you’ll leave with enough variety for weeks of content creation, all from one location! Plus the cinnamon buns are delish (top tip!).

The colourful counter at The Glorious Art House in Exeter, featuring bright red walls, turquoise shelves, and chalkboard signs for their famous hot chocolate — a cosy, creative spot that’s full of charm and character.
Rosie sitting on a red velvet sofa at The Glorious Art House café in Exeter, smiling softly while holding a patterned mug — a warm, colourful moment that feels calm and creative.
Rosie sitting at a colourful café table in Exeter, surrounded by bright orange and turquoise walls and a cheerful floral tablecloth - a joyful, creative moment captured in The Glorious Art House courtyard.
The counter at The Glorious Art House café in Exeter, decorated with teal wood panelling, fairy lights, and trays of homemade cakes — a bright and welcoming space filled with charm and colour.

My DIY Photo Tips

If you fancy turning your visit into a mini DIY photoshoot with your phone, here’s what I’ve learned:

  1. Go first thing. The morning light is soft and golden, and it’s much quieter.
  2. Keep it simple. Wear bold block colour or neutral tones so you stand out against the colour and patterns
  3. Look for the details. Painted chairs, pretty cups, those textured walls – they photograph beautifully.
  4. Don’t skip the upstairs secret courtyard. It’s small but perfect for relaxed, natural photos.
  5. The toilets are up a couple of flights of steep stairs, so be aware of that if you are a wheelchair user or have reduced mobility.

You don’t need fancy equipment, just your phone, curiosity and maybe a coffee or two for courage.

Rosie outside The Glorious Art House café in Exeter, dressed in colourful layers and enjoying coffee — a vibrant, real-life moment that shows how easy it can be to create relaxed Instagram photos.
A small white and yellow vase filled with bright orange and purple flowers at The Glorious Art House café in Exeter, set against a hand-painted wall

Rosie Loves:

  • Atmosphere: vibrant, creative and gloriously extra
  • Lighting: natural, warm and forgiving – especially mid-morning
  • Best for: colourful brands, creatives, coaches, artists
  • Address: The Glorious Art House, 120 Fore Street, Exeter, Devon
  • Nearest Parking: on Fore Street for 1 hour (Ringo) or there is a small car park on Smythson Street (3 mins walk) where you can park for longer, or Mary Arches is another alternative (5 mins walk)
  • Opening times: usually 10am–4.00pm, CLOSED TUESDAYS please check before making a special trip – times can change.
  • Website: gloriousexeter.com

All the photos in this post were taken by me on my iPhone – even the ones I’m in! If you’d love to learn how to take photos like these yourself, have a look at my online DIY brand photography course, Slay Your Selfies.

You might also like...