Exeter

 
Situated on the river Exe, Exeter dates back to the Roman era and boasts ancient city walls, a Cathedral, a university, St Nicholas Priory, Exeter Guildhall, Northernhay Gardens (the oldest public open space in England), Rougemont Castle, the historic Quayside and some amazing medieval subterranean passageways, once used to bring spring water into the city. In short Exeter is a truly remarkable place with loads to discover and a rich source of potential ‘Postcards from The Trafalgar Way’.
 
While you're in Exeter, a visit to the Royal Albert Memorial Museum is highly recommended to learn more of the history of the city. There are also a number of free guided trails you can pick up from the Tourist Information Centre, and group guided walks you can find out about there, too.

The Trafalgar Way plaque can be found on a granite block in front of the Civic Centre off Paris Street.

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Gandy Street, Exeter, Alison Day

Gandy Street, Exeter. Image courtesy of Alison Day

Gandy Street, Exeter inspired the look of a famous street in the Harry Potter films. Photo © Alison Day 

Heavitree

 

Heavitree is a historic village that was officially subsumed into the city of Exeter in 1913. Up until 1818 it was a place of execution and its name is thought to derive from the old English for “head tree” - a tree on which the heads of criminals were placed. It was in Heavitree that the last executions for witchcraft took place in England in 1682. The site of many executions is Livery Dole where you’ll find the chapel of Saint Clarus, dating from 1591 and built specifically to pray for the souls of the condemned.

Heavitree also boasts the fine Church of St Michael and All Angels. In 2002 a yew tree in the churchyard was included among “50 Great British Trees”. Heavitree Pleasure Ground contains a number of leisure facilities and could be a great place to capture an image of people enjoying the outdoors - but if you are taking photographs remember you will need to get anyone appearing prominently in a photo to sign a release which can be downloaded here.

 

Honiton Clyst, Cranbrook, Rockbeare, Fenny Bridges, Ottery St Mary

 
Honiton Clyst is a village some five miles East of Exeter. A Trafalgar Way plaque can be found on a brick plinth by the village notice board near the church. Exeter International Airport is situated on its outskirts of the village.

From Honiton Clyst the main road in 1805 would have been the London Road which next takes you to Cranbrook - a new town but still a suitable modern subject for a postcard from The Trafalgar Way. Next comes the small agricultural town of Rockbeare. Look out for Rockbeare Court, a late Georgian mansion while Rockbeare Manor, a magnificent Grade I listed Regency House, is nearby, although it is now a private wedding venue so you will need permission to visit.

Further along The London Road Lapenotiere would have passed The Fair Mile Inn which closed in 2003 when the A30 bypassed it. It is now converted into two houses.

Fenny Bridges has a place in history as the site of a battle in 1549 during the Prayer Book Rebellion, an uprising in Devon and Cornwall in protest at the introduction of the Book of Common Prayer. To the south lies Ottery St Mary where the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge was born.

From Fenny Bridges The Trafalgar Way continues to Honiton. 
Route_114109_Exeter
The route through Exeter
Map image © Cassini Publishing Ltd.

The route through Exeter

 

While we can't know the exact route Lapenotiere took through Exeter, looking at the oldest OS maps, together with knowledge of the location of the posting inns of the day, gives us a good indication.

 

The plaque is outside the council offices on Southernhay, facing the Tourist Information Office.

 

Note the old bridge crossing from the Okehampton Road. It's located somewhere between the road bridges of today.

 

Have fun exploring!

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Post Chase pattern
Post Chase pattern