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Exeter boasts many fascinating places that delight both tourists and locals alike:
cathedral | catacomb | city walls | quay | guildhall | st. nicholas priory | rougemont castle
tuckers' hall | underground passages | wynard's almshouses
The Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of St. Peter boasts the longest unbroken run of gothic vaulting and the tallest bishop's throne in England. Its unique Norman twin towers dominate the skyline. It remains almost unchanged from the 14th century, with the only addition being the magnificent 15th century astronomical clock in the north transept, which supposedly was the inspiration for the nursery rhyme "Hickory Dickory Dock".
The Cathedral covers an area of almost 30,000 square feet, and is still lived in today by the clergy. It is also home to a 25,000 strong library of books, some dating back to over 1000 years ago, including the Exeter Book of Anglo-Saxon Poetry (965) and The Exon Doomsday (1086). The Exeter Memorial Cross is situated in the green outside, which makes a lovely relaxing picnic venue.
Take a 3D virtual tour of the Cathedral Green
The Catacomb
The Catacomb in Bartholomew Street East was a nineteenth century attempt to solve the problem of burial space in the city by stacking coffins in a stone mausoleum. However, it was little used and contains only 15 burials.
The City Walls
By the year 200 AD, a massive wall had been constructed to defend the city. Five-sixths of the wall's is still visible. Built on a line determined by Roman engineers, the wall was rebuilt and restored after every siege, and much of the original workmanship is still there to be seen today.
The Quay
Exeter became a thriving port until a weir was built across the river. Trading, mainly in wool, increased again after the building of Britain's first ship canal in 1563. There is a lot to see and enjoy on the Quay, including antiques and craft shops, pubs and cafes, and the Visitor Centre. The manually operated Butts Ferry crosses the river between the Quay and the opposite bank.
The Guildhall
Dating from 1330, the Guildhall is the oldest working municipal building in the country. It has served as the meeting chamber of the City Council for over 650 years. The roof is a fine example of 15th century carpentry, and inside the Guildhall, the civic silver and official regalia are usually on display.
 St. Nicholas Priory
The Priory was founded as a Benedictine Monastery in 1087, the year of William the Conqueror's death, and is the only remaining former monastic building in the centre of Exeter. It later became an Elizabethan merchant's house and is furnished as it would have been at that time. You can see the Norman undercroft and kitchen, the Tudor Room and the guest hall.
Rougemont Castle
The shell of William the Conqueror's fort, now housing the Exeter Crown Court building. The earthworks and gatehouse of the castle, and parts of the city wall, can still be seen. The gardens are well worth a visit in fine weather, with precarious care taken in the upkeep of the beautiful lawns and borders.
Tuckers' Hall
In Fore Street, this medieval building, the only Exeter trade guild to survive with its headquarters intact, was built in 1471, and has some fine oak panelling. The front was rebuilt in 1905 and the Hall is still the home and meeting place of Exeter's most ancient Guild, the Company of Weavers, Fullers and Shearmen.
Underground Passages
 Built during the 14th and 15th centuries, these underground passages are a series of Medieval tunnels originally constructed to provide the city with a reliable supply of fresh water from the springs outside of the original Roman city walls.
 Located just off what is now the High Street, the pipes enabled the people of the day to easily access the lead pipes which carried the water so they could be repaired when maintenance was required. The water was split equally three ways, between the Cathedral, St. Nicholas Priory and the City of Exeter. The pipes were added to continually and their network grew. They last supplied water in 1901.
They are one of the most publicised architectural monuments in Exeter, and being the only system of such passages in Britain which the public have access to makes them a unique tourist attraction.
Wynard's Almshouses
The Almshouses was built in 1436 and restored in 1863, and provided housing for twelve elderly Exeter residents. It has now been converted into offices for voluntary social services, and boasts some lovely panoramic views over Exeter.
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