About Exeter Cathedral
A place of Anglican Christian worship and sacred music, a vibrant community hub, centre for learning and world-class heritage destination – Exeter Cathedral has been at the heart of Devon in South West England for nearly a thousand years.
History and Architecture
Founded in 1050 with the enthronement of the first Bishop of Exeter, in the presence of King Edward the Confessor and Queen Edytha, Exeter Cathedral is one of Europe’s great cathedrals.
The building was significantly developed from the 12th to 14th centuries and remains the most complete example of a first rank church in the English Decorated architectural style. Although many great building campaigns were carried out in this celebrated style, Exeter alone shows what an entire Decorated church of the first rank was meant to look like.
Exeter Cathedral’s outstanding architectural features include:
West Front Image Screen
The West Front Image Screen of Exeter Cathedral is one of the great architectural features of Medieval England. The addition of the image screen around 1340 marked the completion the rebuilding of the cathedral in the Gothic style.
Medieval Stone Vault
The 14th century stone vault which forms the nave and quire ceiling is one of the glories of Exeter Cathedral. It is the longest continuous medieval stone vault in the world, stretching from the west wall of the nave to the far end of the quire – a distance of approximately 96 metres.
Bishop’s Throne
Exeter’s magnificent Bishop’s Throne is one of the greatest treasures of medieval woodwork in Europe. It was made in the early 14th century using local Devon oak and is 16 metres tall. Cathedral records contain details about the felling of the trees and the preparation of the timber.
The Chapter House
Now home to Exeter Cathedral’s Refectory, the Chapter House was originally an administrative centre for the Dean and Chapter. Built by 1227, it contains the grave of Serlo, the first Dean of Exeter. The building was burnt down at the beginning of the 15th century and rebuilt in about 1412.
