Essential Hotels > England > Devon > Exeter

Exeter is a historic cathedral city on the south coast of England, within the county of Devon. This Devon city’s long and often turbulent history is evident today in its architecture, although a serious attempt was made to destroy much of the physical evidence in 1942, during the WWII bombings of the county. Its history primarily begins with the Romans, who founded a fortified town centre in the first century AD, under the name of Isca Dumnoniorum. Parts of the Roman city walls - much fortified in the Norman era - still stand, and can best be seen around Southernhay and Paul Street.

In Anglo-Saxon times Exeter flourished, but was repeatedly sacked by the Danes, and eventually, in 1068, captured by the Normans. William the Conqueror promptly built a castle of the distinctive local sandstone. The ruins of the castle walls, gatehouse and Athelstan’s tower now form part of the aptly named Rougemount (‘red hill’) gardens. Thereafter, Exeter flourished from the proceeds of the cloth trade and from continental trade through its port until 1290, when the Countess of Devon built a weir across the river. In 1563, however the Exeter Ship Canal opened and trade was restored. Nowadays other industries have superseded shipping and the historic quayside is now home to leisure and residential areas.

Exeter’s famous Cathedral dates from the early medieval period. Its magnificent west front has Norman tiers of kings, queens and angels. Around the cathedral precinct, some of Exeter’s old buildings survived both the Luftwaffe and modern development. Exeter has a number of other interesting churches, including the Norman St Mary Arches and St Mary Steps; the latter features a 17th Century clock with moving figures that strike the hour and the quarters, nicknamed the Hickory Dickory Dock Clock. Historically, Exeter was also unusual in that during the Middle Ages its man-made water supply was channeled to the city in underground passages. These can still be seen in Princesshay today. Modern Exeter retains its heritage while succeeding as a contemporary city. It even has a thriving academic base, with Exeter University occupying an attractive campus just outside the city.