Exeter's Underground Passages

Discover medieval passageways that stretch under the city's streets at this visitor attraction in the heart of the city centre

Exeter's Underground Passages has been assessed by the VisitBritain Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme

A visit to Exeter's Underground Passages is a most unusual event and one of the most exciting things available for young people in the City of Exeter. The passages welcome bookings from schools, student groups, clubs and societies. Guides at the passages regularly receive letters, stories and pictures from school children who have enjoyed their visits.

Dating from 14th century, these medieval passages under Exeter High Street are a unique ancient monument: no similar system of passages can be explored by the public elsewhere in Britain. They were built to house the pipes that brought fresh water to the city. Visitors to the Underground Interpretation Centre pass through an exhibition and video presentation before their guided tour. There is also a gift shop selling souvenirs of Exeter and the Passages.

Exeter's Underground Passages have long exercised a fascination over local people, with stories of wars and sieges, plague and pestilence! Their purpose was simple: to bring clean drinking water from natural springs in fields lying outside the walled city, through lead pipes into the heart of the city. The pipes sometimes sprang leaks and repairs to buried pipes could only be carried out by digging them up as we do today. To avoid this disruption the passages were vaulted and it is down some of these vaulted passageways that visitors are guided.

Exeter's Underground Passages were Highly Commended for Project on a Limited Budget in the Museums & Heritage Awards for Excellence 2008

Click on the link below to view a copy of Exeter's Underground Passages leaflet.

 Exeter's Underground Passages Leaflet [803kb]

During school holidays tours of Exeter's Underground Passages often sell out - it is advisable to come early to avoid disappointment.

Exeter's Underground Passages will be closed for maintenance between Monday 11^th and Friday 15^th January 2010. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.