Exeter is the county town of Devon. Last week we made the hour and twenty minute train journey from Bristol Temple Meads to Exeter St. Davids and set out to explore the city. The weather was warm and we could see lambs in the fields and blossom in the hedgerows.
It was my first visit to Devon since I visited nearby Tiverton last year and we had a trip on a horse drawn barge.
A brief history
Exeter’s history begins with the Romans, who founded the settlement of Isca Dumnoniorum around 50 AD, and the city grew through the Saxon, Norman, and medieval periods into a major regional centre.
Exeter’s origins lie in the Roman era, when the 2nd Augustan Legion established a wooden fortress near the River Exe around 50 AD. The settlement, known as Isca Dumnoniorum, developed into a modest Roman town with a forum, basilica, and public baths, though it never reached the prosperity of other Roman centres. By the 2nd century, the Romans had built a substantial stone wall around the town, parts of which still survive today. After the Romans withdrew from Britain in the early 5th century, Exeter declined significantly, with much of the settlement returning to agricultural use.
A revival began in the Saxon period. By the 7th century, the Saxons had established a monastery within the old Roman walls and renamed the settlement Exe ceaster, which gradually evolved into “Exeter.” In the late 9th century, Alfred the Great fortified the town as part of his network of burghs, transforming it into a thriving market centre.
Exeter was one of the few places in the south to resist the Norman invasion of 1066 and were rewarded with one of the first Norman castles outside London. Rougemont Castle was constricted to secure their control.
My photo shows most of what remains. The name came from the red local sandstone used in its construction. The plaque nearby commemorates the last three women in England to be hanged for witchcraft.
Exeter Cathedral
I love Exeter cathedral which is one of the best examples of decorative Gothic architecture. it features the longest unbroken stretch of medieval stone vaulting in the world. It was completed in about 1400.
The astronomical clock shows the sun going round the earth.
By the 14th century, Exeter had become a prosperous hub of the wool trade, marking its emergence as one of the most important towns in medieval Devon
We were able to visit the guild hall of the weavers, fullers and shearers.
Modern day Exeter
Exeter is a thriving university city but the centre still has an eclectic mixture of old and modern buildings.
This house is particularly interesting as it was moved to its current location when a bypass was built.
The quay which used to be used for shipping wool is now a popular place for a drink or meal.
Visit Exeter has a lot more information to help you plan your trip.
