Exeter's Underground Passages

Romangate Passage

Useful Information

Location:	2 Paris Street, Exeter EX1 1GA. In the city of Exeter. City centre car parks, park and ride sites. (50.725117, -3.526947)
Open:	All year Thu-Sun 11-16. Closed 24-DEC, 25-DEC. [2023]
Fee:	Adults GBP 7.50, Children GBP 5, Students GBP 6, Seniors GBP 6, Family Ticket (2+3) GBP 22. Groups: Adults GBP 6, Children GBP 4, Students GBP 5.50, Seniors GBP 5.50. [2023]
Classification:	Water Supply
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:	L=321 m, D=20 min., A=39 m asl.
Guided tours:	D=90 min, MinAge=5.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:	Anon (ND): Guide to the Underground Passages in Exeter, 8 pp illus. Anon (1932): Exeter Excavation Committee, Report on the Underground Passages in Exeter, Proc Devon Arch Expl Soc Vol 1 No 4 191 - 200, pls, 6 maps, sections. Tony Oldham et al (1986): The Limestones and Caves of Devon, p 40.
Address:	Exeter's Underground Passages, Exeter City Council, 2 Paris Street, Exeter, Devon EX1 1GA, Tel: +44-1392-665887. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

14th century	first passages built.
1226	Exeter's first piped water scheme built.
1340's	new Cathedral water system built.
1642	new defensive ditches were dug because of the Civil War, passages used as shelter.
1655	water scheme reactivated.
1694	new water supply commissioned.
1832	outbreak of cholera.
1835	new waterworks were built at Pynes and Danes' Castle.
1933	first opened to the public.
25-APR-2005	tunnels closed due to the Princesshay development.
20-SEP-2007	tunnels reopened.

Description

The underground passages were built from the 14th Century to house the pipes that were laid to bring fresh drinking water into Exeter from the many natural springs that lie outside the city in the parish of St Sidwell's, and to make repairs to the pipes easier to carry out. However such a mundane use has not prevented stories of buried treasure, ghosts, and secret escape routes.

Exeter's first piped water scheme was organised by the Dean and Chapter of Exeter Cathedral, as early as 1226, to supply the clergy with a ready supply of clean water from a fountain that was situated on the Cathedral Green. A new Cathedral water system was begun in the 1340's to provide the Cathedral, St Nicholas Priory and the City, each to have an one third share of the supply. The passages constructed at this time form some of the passages that can be visited today.

When the Civil War broke out in 1642, Exeter began preparations in case of siege and new defensive ditches were dug to protect the city from the army of King Charles I, as Exeter backed Cromwell and Parliament. Some of the passages were blocked to prevent an underground invasion and pipework was melted down to make lead shot. No water flowed through the system until 1655.

A new water supply was commissioned for the growing population of Exeter and work began in 1694 to draw water from the River Exe and pump it to a reservoir at the rear of the Guildhall, which continued until 1835. Change was brought about by an outbreak of cholera in 1832, which was spread by polluted drinking water and largely affected the poorer areas of the city. New waterworks were built at Pynes and Danes' Castle.

The underground passages are not suitable for disabled visitors, children under five and anybody who suffers from claustrophobia. The floors are uneven, the ceilings low and the tunnels are narrow.

Text by Tony Oldham (2002). With kind permission.

The underworld of Exeter was some time ago called Romangate Passage, as the entrance was located at the Romangate shopping passage. It was originaly listed under this name on showcaves.com. Due to the Princesshay development, a mayor reconstruction project in the city center, the tunnels were temporarily closed. The entrance moved to the Underground Passages Visitor Centre on Paris Street within the Princesshay Quarter and the site has been renamed Exeter's Underground Passages. Like before there is no car park for the tunnels, because of its location in the city centre. Please use any of the city centre car parks and walk to the Visitor Center. Find a Parking and Shopping Map of Exeter on the official website of the city.

The visitors first pass through an exhibition and a video presentation at the Visitors Center, before they enter the passages on a guided tour. There are so-called hands-on activities, which are popular especially with kids. New is also a sort of virtual tour through the tunnels, a replica cross-section of Exeter, and an exhibition of archaeological remains found in the passages. And finally there is also a new, real size copy of the passages, a sort of replica. The new visitor center gives people in wheelchairs or suffering from claustrophobia, who are not able to visit the passages first hand, at least a good impression of them.

The Medieval water system with its underground passages is the only such structure in Great Britain open to the public. It was an innovative system when it was constructed. It was opened for the public as early as 1933, but at that time the tunnels were not developed. Public tours were sort of cave trekking tours, the visitors equipped only with handheld lamps. Even helmets were uncommon. Today the tunnels are developed, with save paths and electric light, and visitors are provided with helmets for the underground tour.