Are you looking to explore the history of Exeter through the ages? There are a number of historical destinations in Exeter including the time-honored buildings, monuments, palaces, and parks where you can learn about the glorious past of Exeter. The presence of these historical sites and museums will take you on a walk through Exeter ‘s rich history.
If you are willing to have an in-depth historical information about Exeter, we recommend that you take a wonderful guided tour to cover the major historical attractions. Also, check the opening and closing time for each so that you can organize your time. Make sure that you go through the complete list of historical places in Exeter for a great trip!
Top Historical Places in Exeter
Let's witness the history of Exeter with these top historical places - monuments and landmarks:
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Powderham Castle
(189 Votes)
Situated on a formerly marshy and flat ground on the west bank of the River Exe estuary, Powderham Castle is the home to the Earl and Countess of Devon. Closed for private and hired events for most part of the year this castle is definitely worth paying a visit to, if your schedule happens to match with the days it is open to visitors. The walls of this palace are painted with rich hi...Read more -
Exeter Castle
(169 Votes)
The Castle of Exeter is located at the highest point of the city. Due to the reddish colour of the volcanic rock on which it stood, it came to be known as Rougemont Castle locally. Richard III visited Exeter castle, he was really taken aback by the strength and beauty of the castle. Once a military fortress; lost that title after surrendering to General Fairfax in 1646. Today, although most of ...Read more -
Hidden under the city wall, the catacombs were meant to accommodate 1,400 coffins in every vault on each side of a central and a long passage. The coffins were made to slide into a brick lined vault while the priest on duty would do the needful by conducting the service. Next to it in a small, walled off area stood a bricklayer who would wait until the end, when he would then block up the entra...Read more -
Poltimore House is of utmost importance to Exeter and Devon, historically and architecturally. It was an extremely beautiful place in 1900 and there have been various attempts to restore it to its exact original form. It was home to the Bampfylde family for around five centuries. In 1921 it went on to become Poltimore College, a girls' school. In 1940, it became the war-time home of Dover ...Read more -
The Gervase Exe Bridge had a church at the St Thomas end, similar to St Edmund's Church at the opposite end. However, flowing river on this side often flooded the church situated on the bridge and eventually swept it away. In 1412, the new church of St Thomas Becket was built on a safer high ground. In 1549 the vicar, Robert Welshe joined the Catholic rebels and the Prayer book rebellion who la...Read more -
The well known chapel and almshouses were founded by Canon John Stevens DD, (Doctor of Physick), in 1457, to initially house thirteen poor men. A surviving petition has brought light upon the fact that Stevens had bought "a parcel of ground, void at the time of purchase and not built upon, adjoining to the closure of (the) cathedral church". The almshouses and chapel were constructed in 1458. T...Read more -
Exeter Cathedral
(333 Votes)
The present building of Exeter Cathedral was complete in 1400. Since then, it has survived a lot of atrocities, especially during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Back in the 1940s, the Cathedral also survived a direct bombing during an air raid. But that is not all that makes this place one of the most visited cathedrals of United Kingdom. Exeter Cathedral possesses the earliest complete se...Read more -
Underground Passages
(273 Votes)
As old as the14th century, these medieval passages are situated under Exeter High Street. These passages are known to be a unique ancient monument. In the whole of Britain, no similar system of passages can be explored elsewhere. The Passages have always had a place in the stories of local people, with imaginary additions of sieges, wars and plagues! The purpose of these passages was quite ordi...Read more -
Haldon Belvedere
(25 Votes)
Haldon Belvedere was known as Lawrence Castle originally. It was built on a high ridge above Haldon House after this estate came into the possession of Sir Robert Palk post his return as the Governor of Madras. He made all his wealth while working with the East India Company and as a Paymaster and Commissary of the Indian Army. He renovated the house which had been built like Buckingham House i...Read more -
Exeter Guildhall
(89 Votes)
After the Cathedral, Exeter’s Guildhall is second in line to have witnessed the most historic events as a building in the city. Being the civic centre of Exeter currently, the Guildhall has taken various forms historically. It has functioned as a court house, a place for civic functions, a prison, a city archive store, meeting place for the City chamber and the Council, a police station a...Read more -
St Pancras Church
(37 Votes)
A humble church located in the Centre of the Guildhall, and in what was historically known as British Quarter. In the midst of all commercial activities, you would find this haven of peace and tranquillity. The church is made in the memory of teenage martyr, St Pancras. The dimensions of the church are only 46½ ft by 16 ft, and it is built out of Heavitree stone. It`s existence was first...Read more -
Paulise de Bush collection, on display in period rooms is not the only reason to visit Killerton House. Apart from the possession of these 18th-20th century costumes, Killerton house boasts of an enriching history. Built by Sir Thomas Acland in 1778, this house has been open to Public since it belongs to the National Trust since 1944. The extremely beautiful garden was created in the 1770s by&n...Read more