The Land

At Exeter Cathedral we are working to help biodiversity and preservation of the local landscape.

As part of the electricity infrastructure project Exeter Cathedral has purchased offset credits of 0.02 hectares of Lowland meadow in Duryard Valley Park on the outskirts of Exeter, and planted a Cedar of Lebanon tree in the Bishop’s Palace garden. We have also planted a wildflower meadow adjacent to the Cathedral and are gradually replacing non-native species with native species in our herbaceous boarder on the edge of the green.

In summer 2023, we hosted a ‘Bio Blitz’ public wildlife search on Cathedral Green, as part of a wider initiative to involve the local community in recording species and monitoring biodiversity. Experts were excited to find many common moth species including three common Rustic moths, a lesser common Rustic, a Large Yellow Underwing, a Nut-tree Tussock, a Tachystola Arcoxantha and a Chrysoteuchia Cumella. Other unusual wildlife was also discovered, including a hummingbird hawk moth and a vole in the garden of the Bishop of Exeter’s Palace. A range of exotic wild plants were discovered around the Cathedral, including a Creeping Bent, Maidenhair Spleenwort, Enchanters’ Nightshade, a Garden Yellow Archangel and over 65 lichens.

We also offer opportunities for visitors to learn more about Exeter Cathedral’s green spaces. Graham Beck, the Tree Officer for the Saving Devon’s Treescapes Project, has given fascinating tree walks around the Exeter Cathedral’s green areas, where visitors can learn more about the different variety of trees and the crucial role that trees play in preserving habitats for wildlife.