Monument Number 448379 |
| Hob Uid: 448379 | |
Location :
Devon
Exeter
Non Civil Parish
|
| Grid Ref : SX9228909282 |
| Summary : Exceptional survival of the 13th century and later service tunnels for the town and cathedral water supply. These are a series of man-made tunnels beneath the centre of the town . The town supply was built 1420-9, with further work in 1492-7. In 1642-55 the passages were blocked as part of the defences of Exeter, but subsequently repaired. Later alterations included a brick passage of 1776 and deepening of most of the passages in the 19th century. Survival includes a length of the 14th century passages under Princeshay, and the 15th century passages under Longbrook Street and High Street. The majority of the tunnels are stone-built , of varying form, and complex phases of alteration. |
More information : Exeter's 'Underground Passages' are actually access tunnels to
the city's medieval water supply system. These were large arched
stone conduits, along which water was conveyed in lead pipes from
springs to the north east of the city. Their earliest mention is
1226, and the first construction was probably c.1200 when the wells
and springs in the city were beginning to fail an increased
population. The system was enlarged in the 14th and 15th centuries.
In 1346 the water was collected in an enclosed building in the
Cathedral Yard (apparently at the Deanery, SX 9202 9251 - plan in 1)
and thence distributed to the Cathedral community, the City, and St.
Nicholas's Priory. Excavation showed that the conduits were not, as
had been thought possible, Roman. (1-3)
Further information. (4) |