A community-commissioned exploration and celebration of Heavitree Stone!
You might easily miss Hope Road. Its entrance at the corner of Butts Road and Wonford Street is very narrow, and at its exit into Hoker Road it looks like a service road. But it’s full of character and quirks such as Hope Hall, the former Baptist church, near the bottom; a lovely row of … Read more
There has been a guildhall on the site in Exeter High Street since the 12th century, but nothing of the original remains. The latest parts of the building to survive date from the late 15th century. It is now made up of: an Elizabethan block, projecting into the High Street; the medieval main hall; and … Read more
East Wonford Hill and Heavitree Fore Street are the final stretch of the Roman road leading into Exeter. There is plentiful Heavitree Stone to be found here in the old walling along the road. Starting just after the junction with Rifford Road, there are long stretches on the right and left up to St Loyes … Read more
Somewhat marooned now in the middle of traffic flow, the Old Exe Bridge is one of the best-preserved examples of a major medieval stone bridge in England. It was built in around 1200, and consisted of 17 or 18 arches spanning about 180m. About 87m is still visible: just over eight arches are fully exposed … Read more
The Devon and Exeter Institution was founded in 1813 at No.7 Cathedral Close. Before that, from 1662-1813, it was the town house of the Courtenays, the Earls of Devonshire. The back of the house is Tudor – 16th century or earlier – but very little is known of the history of the fabric of No.7 … Read more
St Clare’s Chapel is situated at the top of Heavitree Fore Street, where the route from the quarries forks on the way into central Exeter. But is it St Clare, the more well-known 13th century founder of the religious order of Poor Clares, or St Clarus, the 9th century English missionary martyred in Normandy? According … Read more
Bowhill House was built around 1500 as four ranges set around a courtyard. It has been much altered since, and is now a central block to the south with two wings on the east and west. Conservation work was undertaken during 1977 to 1995, and this provided an opportunity to study in great detail the … Read more
St Anne’s Orthodox Church is easily missed, set back from Blackboy roundabout behind a brick gateway and small garden. But the chapel and several of the surrounding almshouses are lovely examples of Heavitree Stone buildings. Little is known about the history of the site. A chapel of St Anne was known to Bishop Grandisson in … Read more
