iKnow Devon
Exeter Accommodation
Cycle Hire on Exeter's superb family friendly quay - take a boat trip too!
Exeter CathedralExeter Cathedral UK Medieval Life Roman History Tourist Information Devon UK
Historic Exeter, where to start. Probably the best option is to hook into some of Exeter's superb free Red Coat Guided tours which run all year round with changing summer and winter programmes. Each day offers a changing programme of walks from 'Medieval Exeter', to 'Roman Exeter', or other focus walks such as Historic Bridges and Water, Exeter's City Wall, Ghosts and Legends, Catheral Close and Palace Garden, Ancient Churches of Exeter, Catacomb and the Mint and the Custom House. These walks are all free! Take in the Roman Walls, soak up the cobbled medieval narrow streets, and find out about Exeter's Woollen Industry and the manmade Exeter Ship canal. This canal is a small canal but one of the oldest canals in the UK! Check the link to the right for details of times for the super free Red coat Exeter guided walks!!
Exeter's gothic cathedral is at the city's heart, and religious worship took place on this spot many years before the current cathedral was in place.
Exeter Cathedral UK
Gothic cathedrals are particularly fascinating buildings to visit, and Exeter Cathedral is one of the best in the UK. Exeter Cathedral, or St Peter's Cathedral, is renowned for it's unbroken extension of Gothic stone, the longest in the country. Religious worship has taken place on this site in the heart of Exeter since around AD 5, and there was a monastery here by around 680. The two remaining spectacular large towers date back to the cathedral built by the nephew of William the Conqueror, to 1133. Further medieval building work was undertaken in the 1270s, finally completed in the 14th century. This gothic cathedral in Exeter then is a mish-mash of periods and design, giving it somehow even more character. Visitors can expect to see some of the most captivating medieval figure sculptures on any cathedral in England. Of particular interest is the upper row of figures which is actually Christ and his 12 apostles which was added in for good measure in around 1460-80.
A visit to Exeter Cathedral offers a whole host of other Devon heritage treats. Exeter is one of those charming cities, probably derived from it's medieval layout, for strolling around, with museums and fascinating architecture clustered tightly together in the centre. St Peter's sits within a grassy forecourt, and around it are a selection of historic buildings including Mols Coffee House which dates from 1596. This has been a coffee house since the 18th century, so you're touching Devon history here! The atmosphere is sublime, with oak panelling on the first floor and a selection of Devonshire family shields, including those of famous names Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh!
Gothic Exeter Cathedral is open to visitors from 9.30am-5pm, and visitors can hook into one of the many free guided tours running from March to October, Monday to Friday, at 11.00am, 12.30pm (only during July/August and September) and 2.30pm. Also, on Saturdays, 11am and 12.30pm (only during July/August and Sept), and Sundays at 4pm. There is a small charge for group visits, and you need to book if you're coming as a group. There's a good shop on the premises plus the Refectory Restaurant in the Cloisters Room, open for refreshments and light meals from Monday to Saturday, 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Good news for visitors with disabilities, Exeter Cathedral is completely accessible by wheelchair, plus there is a T Loop system in place for deaf visitors. Both hearing dogs and guide dogs for the blind are allowed into Exeter Cathedral (no other dogs are allowed however).
Exeter Cathedral and Quay Car Parking is available just off Western Way. For Group bookings particularly, contact the Visitors' Officer, 1 The Cloisters, Exeter, EX1 1HS. Telephone 01392 285 983. Entrance is free, but donations of £3.00 are requested.
Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, Exeter
This mammoth Exeter Museum had royal beginnings. It sprung up in that Victorian era of all things dedicated to Prince Albert, and so this 'Royal Albert' museum was. It was up and running by 1868 and included the usual library, art galleries reading library, museum and a school of art and science, a structure for which Albert approved! York Wing is the later addition, added in 1899.
Minus the library which moved out, the museum remains pretty much as it was, and the neo-gothic building itself is an impressive sight! Ok, what do you get. In a word, lots! There are Sixteen galleries of free exhibitions in this museum, with a particular focus in most of the exhibitions on Devon with reflections on Roman local finds, the history of fine clock making in Devon, classic Devon ceramics and glassware, and wait for it a superb collection of fine art. Of real interest is this Exeter Museum's collection of landscapes by such notables and JMW Turner, Thomas Rowlandson and Francis Danby.
Exeter was a key Roman centre, and the museum explores this part of Exeter's history. Check out the interesting mural reconstruction of the Roman fortress which once stood in the city. There's also a fine model of a Roman bathhouse, recently discovered in Exeter very close to the gothic cathedral in 1970. The Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery is open all year round, Monday to Saturday 10 am to 5pm and admission is absolutely free. Visitors with disabilities are well served, with aides provided, such as step stools. text magnifiers, increased light levels once a month, visitors' lift, parking for orange-badge holders with ramped access, toilet for wheelchair users, level access, wheelchairs for visitors' use, braille panels in Geology, a new street level access lift at the main entrance, a visitors' lift, level access to an alternative entrance and an Induction loop for lectures in the Art gallery. Exeter city centre car parking is widely available, or alternatively use the free park and ride service, taking the bus to Exeter High Street into the centre.
Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, Queen Street, Exeter. Tel: 01392 665858. Open Mondays to Saturdays, 10am-5pm. Admission free.
Medieval Exeter, Norman Exeter, Exeter Architecture
Exeter is crammed with historic buildings of interest, from the Roman, Medieval, and Georgian period particularly. Check out 21 The Mint, located on Mary Arches Street. No ordinary building, in fact 21 The Mint happens to be one of Devon's oldest dwellings, now fully restored and well worth a look. It was once a refectory of the Benedictine priory of St. Nicholas. 21 The Mint can be visited as part of one of the Red Coat Guided Tour which start just outside The Royal Clarence Hotel each Wednesday at 2.00pm between 21st March – 31st October 2005. This tour and admission to 21 The Mint is absolutely free!!
Exeter's Guildhall, near the Cathedral on High St is famous as being the oldest municipal building still being used in the UK. A Guildhall has been in place on this site since around 1160, but the building you see now dates from the 15th century, with various bits added on since such as the large front gothic revival styled window in the gable wall placed there in 1772. Exeter's Guildhall is built from stone quarried locally in Devon, and it's roof is oak again built by local carpenters in the 15th century. Of particular interest is the detail on the oak panelling inside the Guildhall. This panelling dates from 1594, and was financed by the various trades guilds that once met in this Exeter building. Due to the fact that the Guildhall is still a working building with the various council and mayor meetings still going on, you need to check each week when you can gain access, as opening times do vary. Check the link to the right for details. Check out also Tuckers Hall on Exeter's Fore Street, This is an old medieval guildshall where weavers, fullers and shearmen once met. Tuckers Hall is open from June – September every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 10.30am and 12.30pm and October – May on Thursdays only between 10.30am – 12.30pm
Exeter was a key Roman stronghold in the UK, and any trip to Exeter should take in the remains of Exeter's Roman Military Bath House which lie on the west front of the gothic cathedral. Work is currently being undertaken on this spectacular Roman find. This Roman Bath House just happens to be one of the earliest stone buildings contructed by the Romans in the UK, and much excavation work is underway to develop this attraction and open it out to Exeter's visitors.
Exeter's architecture bears witness to it's evolving growth not just during Roman occupation, but later through a Saxon period, and during the medieval period when Exeter was a key ecclesiastical hotspot - bring on the churches. Major improvements were made in Exeter during the Middle Ages, most notably the surviving network of fascinating Underground Passages which were contructed around 1200 to enable the transport of spring water into Exeter. Visitors should note that unfortunately The Passages are closed to the public from the end of April 2005 until Autumn 2007 as there is some development underway on Princesshay! Still, there's plenty of notable medieval buildings above ground to take in such as the 14th century White Hart Hotel and the 15th century Tucker's Hall, and of course the buildings occupying the narrow Cathedral Close.
Exeter Quayside, the Woollen Trade
A good place to start your historic exploration of Exeter is at the Quayside visitor's centre. Here you can catch the 'Celebration of Exeter' audio and visual presentation, which introduces you to the history of Exeter and surrounds stretching back to the Roman period, up until the present. What's more, admission is free, and this Exeter Visitor's centre is open from April to October 10am-5pm, 7days a week. During the rest of year the centre is open Saturdays and Sundays only from 11am-4pm. Allow about 30 minutes for the visit. Quayside on the River Exe and at the starting point of the Exeter Ship Canal is a location at the heart of the history of the growth of Exeter. From the visitor's centre branch out to the historic Customs House Building, once a central hub for the thriving woollen trade.
Exeter Quayside has now been christened a 'Waterside Resort', and it certainly delivers. In this relaxing atmosphere there are a wide selection of art and craft shops, superb restaurants and cafes, as well as a variety of outdoor activities on the water including canoeing and pedalos. The cycle paths stretching along the Exeter Ships canal and around the Quayside area offer an opportunity to potter about on your bicycle exploring this historic area. The River Exe and the Exeter Ship Canal are also very popular with anglers. Fishing permits are required, obtained from the River and Canal Manager on 01392 274306.
Exeter Stately home/come castle anyone. Powderham Castle is still owned by the Earl of Devon wot wot. Set in a rather nice deer park, adjacent to the River Exe (swoon) Powderham Castle is not just a castle, it's an events hoster, and it's licenced for civil wedding ceremonies.
Powderham Castle is open evey day except Saturday from 10.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. (last admission 4.30 p.m.), from 23rd March to 30th October.
Exeter Ship Canal
Exeter Ship Canal may not be very big or long at 6 miles, but it's one of the oldest cuts in the UK, and there's a history of trade squabbling attached to it which makes good reading. Exeter Ship Canal began life in 1563 and was designed by John Trew of Glamorgan, employed the business traders in Exeter who were sick of paying hefty levies to Devonshire Earls who controlled weir access into Exeter. The canal initially eased the problem by bypassing the weirs and rejoining the River Exe in the centre of Exeter, together with a plan to build a quay with a crane to load/unload cargoes. Exter Ship Canal was financed by Exeter City Corporation, and is still under local control so is effectively owned by the people of Exeter (rather than British Waterways!!).
The cut was a bit small at first, standing at only 3 foot deep and 16 feet wide, it's three locks and it was inaccessible at low tide. When it was finally improved in 1701, to 10 foot deep and 50 feet wide with just one single lock, access improved and trade thrived, particularly large ships bringing in coal, timber and food, and taking out wollen products and cider, the areas two biggest exports. Plans for The Grand Western Canal to connect Bristol with Exeter never materialised, but further improvements to the Exeter Ship canal were undertaken in the1820s. But by then the woollen industry was receding, and the canal's fortunes rather deteriorated from this period.
Today, however, the Exeter Ship Canal is a major tourist attraction, with superb canal towpaths on both sides of the cut, great for canal walking and cycling! The canal walk starts on the west bank of the Exe estuary, stretching for 2 miles to the south of Exminster.
The Exeter Blitz - a Horrendous Affair
Exeter suffered particularly badly during the Blitz, along with York, Bath, Norwich and Canterbury. Exeter was targetted on Hitler's orders as revenge for the bombing of the ancient German cathedral city of Lubeck. Specific cities in the UK were chosen as targets because of their historic significance and architecture. The 4th May 1942 is inscribed in Exeter's history. After a series of smaller raids, this major attack which began at 1.36 in the morning claimed 156 lives, and 563 injuries many of which were serious. A large section of Exeter, 30 acres to be exact, was destroyed and this included many historic buildings. One bomb had hit part of Exeter Cathedral and the City Library, serving control centre, was hit and books and historic documents lost.
Exeter Memories (link to the right) offers and excellent account of Exter's Blitz with many photographs and personal accounts by Exeter residents that lived through it.
Exeter Notables!
Sir Frances Drake, you may have heard of. Sir Frances was actually born in Tavistock, Devon about 1540. However, he is held dear by Exeter as he was a frequent visitor, particularly to the atmospheric and still remaining Ship Inn (well worth a pub lunch visit) on St Martins Lane in Exeter. His drinking partner here happened to be Sir Walter Raleigh who was born a little closer to Exeter in Budleigh Salterton. Drake's fame came with his travels to the Americas, his circumnavigation of the world in the Golden Hinde and of course his notable role in the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588.
On a more contemporary note, if you must, Chris Martin (yawn) of Coldplay was born in Exeter and his family still live there. Apparently Gwyneth, Apple and Chris make frequent visits to Exeter so get ya celebrity binos out! Incidently, Thom Yorke from Radiohead went to Exeter University and spent much of his childhood in the city! Urr we won't mention Will Young. Check out the superb Exeter Memories web link to the right!
Exeter Roman Walls & Rougemont Gardens
Exeter's Roman Walls can be viewed in Rougemont Gardens, near the Royal Albert Memorial Museum. Rougemont Gardens is now a beautiful city centre park, but it was once the moat area of Rougemont Castle, no longer standing. Rougemont Castle was erected by William the Conquerior around 1068. You can still take in some of the castle's remaining red stone walls and the gatehouse.
Rougemont Gardens is a most pleasant spot for a picnic, and if you fancy connecting upto Northenhay Gardens for a longer stroll. Northenhay Gardens is renowned for being one of the first every public gardens in the UK.
The gatehouse in Exeter's Rougemont Gardens, which was once part of Rougemont Castle, one of the earliest Norman Castles in the country, is well worth a look. Bear in mind that there was much resistance in the Southwest to Norman invasion, and it was William I, or the Conqueror who made a point of visiting Exeter in 1068, and decided on this spot for Rougemont Castle which involved literally razing a whole neighbourhood to the ground first!
Exeter Tourist Information Centre, Civic Centre, Paris Street, Exeter EX1 1RP. Tel: (01392) 265700
Click Search
