Detailed Description
These medieval passages have always fascinated local people. There are stories of wars and sieges, plague and pestilence. They were designed to bring clean drinking water from natural springs outside the walled city. The water came through lead pipes into the heart of the city. The pipes sometimes leaked 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. It is down some of these vaulted passageways that visitors are guided.
Exeter is the only city in the UK to have underground passages of this type. Guided tours have taken place here since the 1930s. Today the passages are lit throughout, but still fascinate for all who enter.
Before taking a guided tour underground, visitors pass through an exciting interpretation centre. This is packed full of interactive displays, including:
a talking figure of a medieval man
a high-speed video fly-through of the Passages
a full size model of a section of the Passages
artefacts from the Princesshay archaeological dig
A visit to Exeter’s Underground Passages includes:
a 10 minute film presentation
a 25 minute tour underground
an opportunity to explore the exhibition
This trip is intended for resident students from all University residences. Please only purchase your ticket if you are living in accommodation allocated by the University Accommodation Office. If you have any accessibility requirements, please contact us on Residencelifeadmin@exeter.ac.uk so we can advise further on the venue and travel arrangements
