Built on the River Exe, Exeter is a large historic Cathedral town, located in Devon County, a mainly rural county in England’s south-west. It is the County Town of Devon making it the main administrative, commercial and tourist centre of the region. Home to an estimated 120,000 residents the city is a popular tourist destination, brimming with attractions such as the magnificent 11th century Gothic Cathedral of St Peter, the Roman city walls, the ruins of Rougemont Castle, the historic quayside, the medieval Guildhall and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum. The city has 1600 listed buildings and many more which are locally important. Located close to important wildlife areas such as the RSPB Exe Estuary Reserve, historic towns such as Plymouth and the fascinating Dartmoor National Park, Exeter is located in an ideal position for touring of the area.
The area around the city has been inhabited for millennia and is though to have been a Celtic town before the Roman’s established a fort here around 50 A.D. Exeter became the most south-westerly fortified Roman city in Britain, being the starting point of the Fosse Way which ran to Lincoln, and at one time marked the western frontier of the Roman Empire. Large parts of the Roman fortification walls still remain and the ubiquitous Roman baths were excavated outside the West Front of the Cathedral, although they were filled in again due to their proximity to the cathedral.
Exeter Cathedral was founded in 1050 and is an imposing structure which dominates the skyline and is located in the heart of the city. It is an outstanding example of decorated Gothic style architecture, with unique Norman towers and well known for its stunning ceiling, stained glass and wonderful sculptures located on its West front. The Cathedral Close and Yard retain a quite refuge from the general activity of the area which supports Mol’s Coffee House and the Ship Inn. These historically were favorite haunts of Francis Drake and Walter Raleigh, with the Royal Clarence Hotel being a favorite of Horatio Nelson!! The city also has its historic quayside where visitors can explore the restored 19th century warehouses and the nearby Customs House which was built in 1680, the city’s oldest brick building!! Exeter is also home to an historic Guildhall, which is considered t be the oldest municipal building in England that is still in use having seen more than 800 years of continuous service!! A guildhall has stood on this exact site since 1160 A.D. with the current building having been constructed in the 14th century, it contains many architectural points of interest. Other buildings worth seeing include the delightful 14th century White Hart Hotel, the 15th century Tucker’s hall and the buildings within the Cathedral Close which span the last 900 years!!
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