Exeter History

Exeter is one of the most historic sites in Britain. The present day High Street was once an ancient ridgeway created by the Celtic Dumnonii people in the second or third centuries B.C., when they settled on the high, dry plateau above the River Exe.

The Romans arrived in about A.D.50 and walled the city and it became the most westerly point of their empire. Most of the walls can still be traced but the best remains are at Rougemont, Northernhay and Southernhay.

The city was re-founded under King Alfred the Great and was one of the largest towns in Norman Britain. Throughout the ages Exeter has been the West Countrys chief city and though it was badly damaged in WWII plenty of the ancient buildings survived.