12 things you probably didn’t know about Exeter
Exeter has a long history
Whether you've lived in Exeter all of your life, or you just recently moved to the area, here are some things you probably didn’t know about Devon's county town. Steeped in history, Exeter dates back to Roman times, with glimmers of the past still very present in the city centre, with the Underground Passages and the Roman Wall.
So, whether it's some of the famous people who have worked in the city, the infamous Gerald the Giraffe, or the hidden things beneath our streets, how many of these things do you know about Exeter?
12 things you probably didn’t know about Exeter:
Gerald hasn’t always been called Gerald
If you grew up, or have lived in Exeter for a long time, then you'll probably be acquainted with Gerald. Gerald, is the iconic giraffe that stands tall in the RAMM (Royal Albert Memorial Museum) and has done for the last century, but when he first came to the museum he was known as George!
Exeter has the UK’s narrowest street
Hidden between Exeter's High Street and the Guildhall Shopping Centre is the UK's narrowest street - Parliament Street. The street is 25 inches at its narrowest point and 45 inches at its widest, so next time you're walking down the High Street look out for the street because it's easy to miss.
The Royal Clarence was the oldest hotel in England
Sadly, The Royal Clarence on the Cathedral Green is no longer there after the devastating fire of 2016, but the beautiful building, which was a hotel until the fire, was the oldest hotel in England dating back to 1769.
Exeter’s Underground Passages are one of a kind
Hidden under the busy streets of Exeter are the Underground Passages. Often missed by those going for a wander around town, the Underground Passages date back to medieval days when they were used to transport water to the centre of the city, later on they were used in the Second World War as an air raid shelter. It is believed that they are the only passages of this type in the UK.
The Guildhall is believed to be the oldest civic building in England still in use
Another feature of Exeter's High Street is The Guildhall, often ignored until you actually need it, the building, built in 1470 is believed to be the oldest civic building that's still in use in England.
Exeter Cathedral has another name
Despite being well-known as Exeter Cathedral by locals and tourists alike, the actual name for the Cathedral is - Cathedral Church of Saint Peter in Exeter.
Heavitree has a gruesome origin
Many will just know Heavitree as an area of Exeter, but its name has a gruesome original. Coming from old English of heafod-treow, or 'head tree', the name means a place where people were executed. A tree was used to hang rope for the gallows, the tree would sometimes also be used to display the heads of the gallows.
Charles Dickens spent a lot of time in Exeter
Charles Dickens' parents lived in Mile End Cottage in Alphington for four years from 1839. The author also wrote the opening chapters in Nicholas Nickleby from their cottage.
Exeter was the first and last place to kill a 'witch'
For many years, Exeter was the centre of witchcraft. This meant that it was apparently the location of both the first and latest hangings due to witchcraft, in England.
They are believed to have started as early as 1566.
The Vaults ‘inspired’ Gringotts Bank in Harry Potter
Although this hasn’t been confirmed, the similarities between Gringotts Banks in Harry Potter and The Vaults nightclub on the corner of Gandy Street and Little Queen Street, are uncanny. It was believed that a number of locations in Exeter were inspiration for the Harry Potter books after author JK Rowling went to the University of Exeter, however she dispelled some of the myths when she tweeted, ‘Yes, both of these are untrue, I'm afraid. I can't remember ever going to the Old Firehouse when I was a student and Gandy Street is nothing like the Diagon Alley in my head.’
The Catacombs are the first cemetery buildings to be built in Britain in an Egyptian style
Built within St Bartholomew's Cemetery in Exeter, the Catacombs are rarely open to the public, but are still an interesting sight from the outside. Built against the old city wall, they were the first cemetery buildings to be built in an Egyptian style, in Britain.
Most of the Roman city wall is still visible around Exeter
For those who regularly visit the centre of Exeter the Roman wall is a common sight, in fact, around two thirds of the Roman wall built around Exeter is still visible, from Princesshay to the Catacombs.