Exeter

Exeter, in the beautiful Devon countryside, has a good mix of restaurants, shops, and fun attractions to visit. This city was originally inhabited by the Romans, and the architecture reflects many different periods since 5BC. In the 16th centuary, Exeter was a bustling port city which traded with many other cities in England and Europe. Due to this eclectic mix, Exeter is becoming a major attraction for making films and movies.

One of the more unusual features of Exeter are the Underground Passages. These undergound passages were made in the 14th century to house the pipes to bring fresh water from the natural springs just outside the city walls to the heart of the city. Over the years, the passages were used as secret escape routes and passages for nuns and priests. Visitors are given a tour of the Underground Passages and shown an audio visual presentation about the history and some of the folklore surrounding them.

You'll definately want to go on one of the many walking tours of Exeter. There is a bit of everything to see on these tours including a church tour, a visit to the catacombs, a ghost tour, and a visit to Roman bathhouse sites among many others. Guided walking tours are free, but it is polite to leave the tour guide a tip at the end if you can afford it. To go on a guided walking tour, just show up at the Royal Clarence Hotel in Cathedral Yard and look for the tour guides who are wearing red coats. Also remember, that no dogs are allowed except those for the disabled.

You'll also want to stop by and visit St. Peter's Cathedral sometimes called Exeter Cathedral. One if the cathedral's noted features is it has the longest unbroken stretch of Gothic stone vaulting in the world. It also has several 14th to 16th century clocks. One clock indicates the time of day on a 24 hour analog dial, and another shows the age of the moon and its phase. You can take a free guided tour of Exeter Cathedral Monday through Friday at 11AM, 12:30PM and 2:30PM, and Saturday at 11AM and 12:30PM. It is recommended to donate £3.50 during your visit.

Many of the museums and tours are free for the public. The Exeter Tourist Information Centre has extensive information to help the visitor.

Just beyond Exeter is the beautiful coast of East Devon and the National Parks of Dartmoor and Exmoor. It is a photographer's landscape and a great way to spend the afternoon.

www.flickr.com

See a Map of Exeter