Exeter Cathedral Devon

UK Cathedrals: Exeter Cathedral

Exeter Cathedral (Cathedral Church of St. Peter)

Jake Davies

The Cathedral Church of St Peter in Exeter. — The lower two rows of the West Front Image Screen of Exeter Cathedral was completed in 1340

Exeter Cathedral in the centre of Exeter in Devon is one of England's most beautiful churches.

Highlights include the Bishop's Throne, a superb example of 14th century woodwork, the antique clock which dates from 1376, and the original glass of the East Window. Later additions include Gilbert Scott's restoration of the quire in 1870 and the Martyrs' pulpit in the nave of the cathedral.

The stone fan vault ceiling of Exeter Cathedral is 96 meters long. — The stone fan vault ceiling of Exeter Cathedral is 96 meters long

History

Set between the lovely streets of Cathedral Close and Cathedral Place and fronted by a grassy square, the Cathedral Church of St. Peter was begun in 1114 by the Normans and the sturdy, rather squat cathedral towers also date from Norman times.

The cathedral was remodelled in a decorative Gothic style over a century beginning in 1270 by Bishop Walter Bronescombe. Influenced by the architecture of nearby Salisbury Cathedral, the church was built using local stone, including Purbeck Marble.

The entrance is through the magnificent Great West Front and the carved figures above the door represent the largest collection of 14th century stone carving in the UK.

The lower two rows of the West Front Image Screen of Exeter Cathedral was completed in 1340 and was the final stage of the rebuilding of the Cathedral in Gothic style.

The third row above the doorway was added later. Though now weather-worn, it is the biggest collection of medieval sculptures in the UK. It must have been awe-inspiring when first made and painted in bright colours.

It was designed by Thomas of Witney who was also responsible for many other of the building's most notable features including the Bishop's Throne.

The weathered figures include those of Alfred the Great, Athelstan, Canute, William the Conqueror, and Richard II. They were all originally painted in bright colours.

Unlike most cathedrals, Exeter has no central tower, this makes the stone fan vault ceiling of Exeter Cathedral the longest, uninterrupted ceiling of its kind in England and indeed, the world.

The cathedral was damaged during the English Civil War (1642-1646) and again in World War II (1939-1945) being repaired each time.

The West Window of Exeter Cathedral replaced the one destroyed by bombing in 1942. In 1904 it had replaced the original stained glass designed by the great William Peckitt in 1764.

Exeter Cathedral pipe organ, Devon. — The great pipe organ of Exeter cathedral separates the nave from the quire

Interior

The interior of the cathedral features the magnificent Bishop's Throne which is 18 meters tall.

The cathedral in Exeter is equally well known for its ceiling or "vault" which was designed as a vision of heaven. This vault extends for 96 meters and is the longest of its kind anywhere in the world. This style of vaulting is called "tierceron".

The vault incorporates round stones called "bosses". Bosses are the round keystones that are placed where the stone ribs of a vaulted arch meet. At Exeter Cathedral these bosses are intricately carved, gilded, and painted and depict many characters and scenes and are an impressive collection of medieval art.

One boss shows the murder of St. Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. Becket was killed by knights loyal to King Henry II.

The organ was originally installed in 1665 but has been rebuilt several times since then. — The organ was originally installed in 1665 but has been rebuilt several times since then

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

The West Window of Exeter Cathedral replaced the one destroyed by bombing in 1942. — The West Window of Exeter Cathedral replaced the one destroyed by bombing in 1942

Access - Getting There

Exeter Cathedral (exeter-cathedral.org.uk)
1 The Cloisters
Exeter
EX1 1HS
UK
Tel: 01392 285 983 (Visitors officer)
Hours: 9.30 am - 5 pm

The nearest railway stations are Exeter St David's and Exeter Central.

Exeter's main railway station is Exeter St David's Station with rail links to Bristol, Birmingham and London Paddington Station in London as well as on to Plymouth. Local trains run south from Exeter St David's to the Victorian seaside resort of Exmouth.

The nearest airport is Exeter International Airport, just 5 miles to the east of Exeter city near Clyst Honiton off the A30.

The airport has regular domestic flights to Aberdeen, Alicante, Belfast, Edinburgh, Guernsey/Jersey, the Isles of Scilly, Leeds Bradford, Manchester and Newcastle.

International destinations include Amsterdam, Dubrovnik, Dublin, Faro, Funchal, Geneva, Hannover, Larnaca, Nice, Palma, Paris, Malaga and Salzburg.

Bosses are the round keystones that are placed where the stone ribs of a vaulted arch meet. — Bosses are the round keystones that are placed where the stone ribs of a vaulted arch meet

Accommodation

Exeter offers a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets and tastes. Choose from a range of hotels and guest houses in Exeter including the four-star Mercure Exeter Southgate Hotel, the four-star Southernhay House Hotel, and Jurys Inn Exeter, also a four-star hotel.

See here for a complete list of accommodation in Exeter.