Exeter Places To See
Exeter's Historic Quayside
The Exeter Quayside provides a lovely atmosphere in which to relax and stroll around. You can visit the historic Customs House and various other old buildings and warehouses dating back to Charles II. Whilst wandering around the quay area you will also come across the odd antique and craft shop for that all-important gift. Refreshments are offered through the many pubs, cafés and food outlets nearby.
Exeter Quay
Exeter Quay was once an international port thriving through mainly in the export
of woollen cloth, but by the 13th century sea craft could no longer reach Exeter
by river, so a canal was constructed around 1563. This canal linked the city to
the estuary again and the port trade began to prosper once more. Those wanting
longer walks can travel along the canal side footpaths down to the locks, maybe
stopping off at one of the alehouses for lunch.
The Butts Ferry can also be found at the Exeter Quayside. This manually operated ferry links the quayside to the opposite bank.
The Customs House dating back to 1681 is one of the earliest brick buildings in Exeter. The cannons that stand outside never reached their destination and still remain unfired.
Royal Albert Memorial Museum
* Now closed until 2010 for a dynamic transformation and modernisation
The Royal Albert Museum (1865) is located in Queen Street close to Central Station. When entering the main doors of the museum, a left turn will take you to the local history section, here you will be able to get a real feel for how the city of Exeter began and continued through the ages. There is a mural reconstruction of a Roman legionary fortress in the city (AD70), which was unknown until 1971 when archaeologists discovered parts while digging in the Cathedral Close. You can see a model of the Roman bathhouse that is buried at the western end of the Cathedral Close. Another fine display is the model constructed in 1824 by Caleb Hedgeland (a local builder) which shows how the city of Exeter was in 1769 before the gates were demolished.
The museum has far more than Exeter's local history. It also displays world natural history with some great zoological presentations. There are also collections of ceramics, silvers, fine arts, and antiques.
Underground Passages
The entrance to Exeters' underground passages is located just off the High Street within Paris Street, near Next the clothing shop.
These unique medieval subterranean aqueducts were built in the14th century to provide the city with a constant supply of fresh water from springs outside the walls. The water would travel through lead pipes, as these pipes would sometimes spring leaks, the passages were therefore constructed to avoid the expense and time involved with keep digging them up.
During the English civil war the passages were deemed a security weakness, so sections were filled and blocked off. Later after the war in 1655, the passages were opened up again and the water supply restored. Then in 1694 an alternative source of water was commissioned for the growing city.
Today, guests to the visitor centre can see interactive displays, exhibits and watch a
video presentation all about the underground passages before being guided down beneath
the city through a sequence of tunnels.
More Related Pages
Places To See - Cathedral Close
Places To See - Gardens & Buildings
Places To See - Historic Buildings
Things To Do