The history of Exeter spans over two thousand years and it proudly lays claim to being one of the oldest and most historically significant cities in the UK. From Roman foundations pre-dating AD 50, through Anglo-Saxon, Medieval, Tudor, and Georgian periods, and heavy bombing in WWII, Exeter’s history is rich and long.
Taking a step back in time, much of Exeter’s history is still visible today as you explore the city, and a wealth of local historians help preserve the past.
Delving into the history books, Exeter Memories provide a detailed time line of Exeter while the Hidden Exeter app allows a unique perspective of exploring the city through the eyes of historical characters.
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Told through hundreds of objects from RAMM's collections, and with images of historic buildings and archaeological sites, explore over 250,000 years of Exeter's history with RAMM's Time Trail.
Roman Era
Founded as Isca Dumnoniorum around AD 50 and one of the earliest Roman settlements in Britain, Exeter was one of the earliest Roman settlements in Britain and played a significant role in the military and administrative control of the southwest.
Strategically positioned near the River Exe, after the legion had moved on Isca was transformed into a civilian settlement, becoming a regional hub for trade and administration. Stone walls were built around the city, symbolising the city’s importance in Roman Britain, and parts of which are still visible around Exeter today.
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Take a fascinating self-guided tour with the Exeter City Wall Trail.
RAMM (Royal Albert Memorial Museum) is also home to objects from the Roman legionary bathhouse, one of the finest Roman buildings in Britain.
Norman and Medieval Exeter
As the Romans withdrew from Britain, by the 7th century the area became part of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex, and by the 9th century Exeter was an important regional centre which was fortified under King Alfred the Great. Soon after Exeter had its own mint and became one of the wealthiest towns in Devon.
Following the Norman Conquest in 1066, William the Conqueror laid siege to Exeter in 1068, which surrendered after a short resistance. To maintain control he built Rougemont Castle, of which the remains can still be visited today.
Founded by William the Conqueror in 1087, St Nicholas Priory is Exeter’s oldest building but its extensive grounds were dissolved and partly destroyed during the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII. Given a new life as a rich merchant’s town house, the priory was linked to the woollen cloth trade and the busy life of commerce in the city.
In 1112, construction began on Exeter Cathedral and was rebuilt in Gothic style between the 13th and 14th centuries.
Benefitting from its locations near Dartmoor and the coast, Exeter prospered as a market and wool trade centre during the 12th to 14th Centuries. At its peak, the city was home to at least three purpose-built cloth markets in the city and Exeter was the centre for woollen trade in the southwest.
Step back in time and explore the key sites of Exeter's most important historical industry, with The Woollen Trail self-guided tour around the city.
One of the most unique features of Medieval Exeter, which can still be visited today, is the Underground Passages. Constructed in the 14th century, the passages were originally built to house lead pipes that carried fresh drinking water from natural springs outside the city walls into Exeter. The passages were designed to allow workers access to repair and maintain the pipes and are now the only such passages open to the public in the UK.
Famed for its quaint, half-timbered houses, some dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, Stepcote Hill is one of the oldest surviving parts of Exeter. This steep, cobbled street was once the main route into Exeter from the river but later in the 19th century, the street was afflicted with bouts of cholera, due to the lack of proper sewerage.
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Have a read of our 'Exploring Exeter's hidden historical gems' blog.
Tudor and Georgian periods
During the Tudor period, Exeter grew in wealth and influence, becoming a key city in Devon and the wider southwest of England. The city flourished thanks to the woollen cloth trade, which became the city's economic backbone. As the amount of trade brought into Exeter from around Europe grew, in 1681 it became necessary to construct a purpose built Customs House, which was the first building in Exeter to be completed in brick.
Completed in 1567, Exeter Ship Canal is one of the oldest artificial waterways in England and a landmark of early modern engineering. It bypassed the blocked section of the River Exe caused by Countess Wear and allowed small sea-going vessels to reach Exeter once more. In 1677 the canal was enlarged to allow bigger ships and it remained commercially useful until the 20th century, when railways and road transport reduced canal traffic.Find out more...
Discover more about the importance of the Quayside and the Custom House with Exeter Memories.
However, The English Reformation under Henry VIII brought about significant upheaval and a siege against the introduction of the English Book of Common Prayer. The city held out for the crown and the rebellion was violently suppressed. The city walls were strengthened, and civic buildings, including the Guildhall, were improved or rebuilt.
At the bottom of Stepcote Hill you’ll find the ‘House That Moved’. This timber-framed Tudor house quite literally moved from its original location in 1961 when the entire street it was on was demolished to make way for a new bypass road linked to the replacement of the city's bridge over the River Exe.
During the English Civil War, Exeter was first held by Parliament, then captured by the Royalists in 1643, and finally retaken by Parliament in 1646. After the war, Exeter regained its prosperity, with thriving markets.
Exeter’s Georgian Period witnessed the construction of elegant townhouses, improved infrastructure, and refined public spaces. Streets were widened, and Georgian facades began to appear, many of which still characterise parts of Exeter today. Exeter developed a lively cultural scene, with theatres, literary clubs, and more structured social life. Wealthy citizens built elegant homes, such as those on Southernhay.
By the late 18th century, the wool trade began to decline as northern industrial towns outpaced Exeter in mechanized textile production. This marked a shift in Exeter's economic importance, though it remained a key regional centre.
In the 20th century, trade continued with petrol, oil, timber, coal, cement and even potatoes passing through the port. However, the loss of the woollen industry meant that exports dropped significantly.
During the World Wars
Exeter played a significant supporting role during the First World War. The city became a recruitment and training centre, hosted military hospitals, and many locals supported the war efforts through work and supply production. Many Exonians lost their lives, and their names are commemorated on Exeter War Memorial in Northernhay Gardens and numerous local plaques.
Exeter’s experience during the second World War was far more direct and destructive. The city suffered severe bombing raids in May 1942. On the nights of May 4th and 5th, over 160 people were killed, hundreds injured, and much of the historic city centre was destroyed. St. Sidwell’s, Paul Street, and much of the High Street were heavily damaged while Exeter Cathedral was hit but mostly survived.
After the war, Exeter underwent a lengthy period of reconstruction. The bombing had a lasting impact on the cityscape. Some Medieval and Georgian buildings were lost forever, while post-war developments reshaped central Exeter.
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Visit our 'Blitz in Exeter' blog to learn more.
If you're interested in exploring more of Exeter rich and long history then one of the best places to start is by joining one of the free Red Coat Guided Tours. Led by local volunteers, they offer a wide range of tours all year round and are the perfect way to discover one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in England.
Exeter is also recognised for its 1,000 year unbroken history of making books and popularising reading since the early 13th century. In 2019 Exeter became the only UK destination to be awarded UNESCO City of Literature status, and is now one of 66 cities internationally that have been added to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
If that's not enough Exeter history for you then here's some further reading as we delve into the history books with some of our blogs, and even a fun quiz to test your local knowledge.
Top 10 Fun and Fascinating Historical Sites in Exeter
Exploring Exeter’s hidden historical gems
Discover Roman remains around Exeter
Exeter History Quiz
to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
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