Exeter used to be a city of two halves: the old quaint Tudor to Victorian town clustered around the cathedral, and the ugly post-war reconstruction following the horrendous bomb damage the city suffered during the Second World War.
Some of the worst of the 50s/60s buildings have now been replaced by the very 21st century concrete and glass Princesshay shopping mall. But, given what was there before, it is an improvement.
Whilst it is easy to get maudlin over all the fine buildings that have been lost, both during the war and the subsequent reconstruction, there is still much left to enjoy
in this fine old city.
Most ancient bridges, are either still in use, albeit much widened, or have been replaced with a more modern structure.
Exeter is unusual in that the base of the northern end of its ancient medieval bridge is still in place, but the river has moved to one side.
It now sits, somewhat forlornly, in the middle of a massive traffic gyratory, but if you can ignore the constant noise of near stationary traffic, it is well worth a visit.
Leading down to the old bridge is West Street, with some fine old timber-framed buildings.
External Links and References
External Links
History of the Exe Bridges
A detailed history of the various Exe bridges. http://www.exetermemories.co.uk/em/exebridge.php
Only recently rediscovered, according to the plaque, DanesCastle is a Norman fort believed to have been built by King Stephen during his three month siege of Rougemont Castle in 1136.
In 1852 the site was incorporated into a water reservoir and was only uncovered in 1993 when a new reservoir was built.
There is little to see; just a ring of earth that was once surmounted by a wooden palisade, but it is a interesting reminder of England's first civil war.
External Links and References
External Links
Danes Castle
More on the history of the castle from the Exeter Memories site http://www.exetermemories.co.uk/em/_places/danes.php
The Iron Bridge across the Longbrook Valley between St David's Down and the city was built in 1834-5 to save visitors from North Devon the very steep climb up to the North Gate.
It was constructed at the ironworks of Russell and Brown of Blaina, Monmouthshire.
External Links and References
External Links
Iron Bridge, Exeter
Some more information on Exeter's Iron Bridge http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=452
The Iron Bridge and North Gate
Detailed history from the excellent Exeter Memories site. http://www.exetermemories.co.uk/em/ironbridge.php
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