Exeter
Exeter maps (2 available)
Map of Devon
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
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Exeter books (8 available)
Exeter memories
Read and share memories of Exeter and Devon inspired by Frith photos
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Devon memories
The Wakely Family
I was born in Lower Shillingford (Shillingford Abbot) in 1939. My grandparents lived in Rectory Cottage, Higher Shillingford (Shillingford St George). My grandfather was gardener at the vicarage. He was also the sexton at the church, gravedigger, bellringer and caretaker at the church.
At Christmas time we would walk from Lower Shillingford to Higher Shillingford to attend the midnight service at the church on Christmas Eve. My grandmother would not attend the service as she was stone deaf. She looked after my little brother instead while we were at the service. It was always bitterly cold and I remember starlit nights and chattering teeth. The church was warm and bright and full of holly and ivy that my grandfather had collected ...read more here
A memory of Shillingford St George contributed by Rosemary Morris
Cann Family History
My Great Great Grandfather was born William Honey Cann. Born: March 12, 1845 in Topsham, England son of John Cann and Jane (Hill) Cann. (William Married - Ann Pidgeon, from England also!). Looking for more information on Cemeteries in this area. John Cann was the son of Samuel Cann & Charity (Arscott) Cann. Looking for information on location of where they lived in Topsham, or worked.
A memory of Topsham contributed by Brenda Wise
The River
My family moved to Brampford Speke in 1972 when I was two and we moved away in the summer of 1977 to Bristol. We lived in the bungalow opposite the village pub. I went to the village school and spent most of the time down by the river. I learnt to swim in the river too. I remember the hot summers when everyone would go by the river, also the Silver Jubilee when we all went in fancy dress, playing skittles in the pub and looking for grass snakes in the churchyard! I still visit Brampford Speke as often as I can get down and still see some of the friends and familiar faces from when I lived there. I will ...read more here
A memory of Brampford Speke contributed by ALISON FLANNERY
Happy days at Newton St Cyres
At the moment I am 66 years old. I lived at Newton St Cyres from 1950 to 1952.
My father worked at J. G. Quicke's farm where in 1952 he was unfortunately killed and my mother and I returned to Cornwall. I can still remember going to the school at the top of the hill. Ahh! those were the days.
For anyone reading this who may have lived there at the same time my nickname was Trip. I seem to remember back in those days we used to have scorching hot summers for our summer holidays from school.
A few of the surnames I can remember are Hookway, Manley, Chamberlain, Vickary and possibly Redaway.
I must ...read more here
A memory of Newton St Cyres contributed by MIKE TREVENNA
Extracts From Exeter & Devon books
The interior of Exeter Cathedral is glorious. The tierceron ribbed vault ‘is among the most magnificent creations of Gothic architecture in any country’ (Alec Clifton-Taylor), and the richly moulded and carved pillars and arches lead the eye towards the original pulpitum, or stone screen, which dates from the early 14th century.
An extract from from"50 Classics - Cathedrals".
Exeter’s canal was built at the request of the city’s Tudor merchants and traders, who were exasperated by the weirs on the River Exe that obstructed the free flow of water transport into the city. John Trew’s pioneering canal was minuscule, just 3 feet deep and 16 feet wide. It boasted the first pound locks in Britain. In the 1820s, James Green widened the canal considerably, carving it out to a depth of 15 feet so that it could carry vessels of several hundred tons up to the city canal basin. Yet it never truly prospered after these costly improvements, for the city’s woollen export trade declined. This approach to the city is picturesque, with the canal winding its way through the meadows between reed-fringed banks.
An extract from from"50 Classics - Canals".
A little-known fact is that Exeter was the first place to be served by an artificial canal with locks. This, constructed in 1564-66, pre-dated the canals in the north of England, where many people think the canal age started. It was built after the building of a weir in the 13th century at Countess Wear stopped the use of the river for trade.
An extract from from"50 Classics - Canals".
Exeter Cathedral's magnificent west front, carved with kings, priests and angels, dates from the 14th century. A statue of St Peter, the cathedral’s patron saint, stands high on the gable. In this photograph, the cars, already period pieces to our eyes, serve to emphasise the timeless majesty of the building.
An extract from from"50 Classics - Cathedrals".
This view was taken from the building at the very end of Morton Crescent. To the immediate left is the Imperial Hotel,
seen in its original architectural design, changed now after the fire in the 1970s.
An extract from from"Exmouth Photographic Memories".