ON TOUR: Exeter
With VisitBritain launching a new campaign to get us all to experience our domestic cities, ABTN is offering its support with a brief glimpse at one of England”s least known, but one of the most beautiful, cities.
Exeter ” the capital of Devon - is small but perfectly formed. And this is its beauty.
Dominated by its 900-year-old St Peter”s Cathedral, which boasts the longest stretch of gothic vaulting in the world, the city has a wealth of Roman, medieval, Stuart and modern-day attractions.
The cathedral is surrounded by an excellent green which is enhanced by ancient houses and the celebrated Clarence Hotel on three sides. The bishop”s palace is behind the cathedral.
A short walk away from the centre takes you down to the quay where Roman seafarers and medieval wool merchants once plied their trade in what was one of the busiest ports in England. Now it contains a selection of lively restaurants, bars and shops.
Back into the city you will notice the Roman walls. These are almost 70% intact and by following their course around the city, visitors can immerse themselves in 2,000 years of history within Exeter.
In the centre, just of the modern High Street, is the 800-year-old Guildhall. It is worth a look for some masterly architecture and ancient artefacts, and the council still uses it to this day.
Popular museums and galleries include the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery on Queen Street for its noted collections and the Spacex Gallery on Preston Street. Other attractions include The Mint, a former priory, and Tuckers Hall, which once was home to the many trades bodies in the city.
An unusual visit should be made to the Underground Passages which date back to the 14th century. They were but to bring fresh water into Exeter, but many other stories are connected with them.
The city has many parks, the most notable being Rougemont, Northernhay an Southernhay, which itself is worth strolling along to see the sumptuous former buildings of the city”s most wealthiest inhabitants.
Outside the city is the port of Topsham, which the Romans used for their ships. The town has wonderful little alleyways, Dutch-style houses along the riverfront and a good range of pubs and restaurants.
Further afield, Dartmoor is just a half-hour drive away or the sea is very close at Exmouth.
For more information go to VisitBritain”s website or contact the city”s council, which has a wealth of information on this unsploilt Roman and medieval English city
http://www.enjoyengland.com
http://www.exeter.gov.uk