I Be Wore Out By Time I Get There

Exeter has had three cathedrals. The first dated from 1059, was a smaller building, which no longer remains. At one point, over 40 parish churches existed within the relatively small confines of the city walls. Only 14 now remain, one of which we visited.


It had a really beautiful ceiling, made of a rich coloured wood, which formed "ribs" above.

But the main attraction is, of course, Exeter Cathedral. Construction began in 1112 in the Norman style. A major rebuild began in 1270 which took six bishops to compete by 1350. All that remains of this today are the two towers and the lower part of the nave walls.

It seems the first bishop has been at the consecration of the Salisbury Cathedral and decided it was just the thing Exeter needed.



But it took a further five bishops and eighty years until it was finished. As it costs £1.5 million a year to maintain, the church folk tap effectively into the tourist trade. £5 entry, guided tours and red sash wardens to answer questions. There was a cafe and various goods for purchase.

Below is a photo of the ceiling. The vaults are extensions of the columns and are locked in place by 400 round stone carvings, which are called a "boss" and, whilst looking small so high up, are about a metre across.




Each boss is carved and painted individually and often tell a story.







This cathedral is a building full of history, personality and stories. Take this door for instance.




It leads to the the mechanism for the Astronomical Clock, dating from 1484. Fat was used as lubricant on the ropes, which attracted rats and mice. So carpenters cut the small round hole, to allow the Bishop's cat access to 'deter' the rodents. This is believed to be the origin of HICKORY, DICKORY DOCK!

The Cathedral took a direct bomb hit during World War Two. One side chapel had to be reconstructed. To fund this, one event was a charity rugby match, so the head of a rugby player clutching a ball can be seen carved into a column.




One stained glass window of medieval glass, and some other treasures were removed during the war, for safety.




It is full of wonderful memorials to dearly departed, some a real delight to read.








Exeter Cathedral still lives and breathes real vibrancy and interest over a thousand years after it was built.