Exeter Community Centre and St David's Walking Tour

St David's developed separately from the city of Exeter because it was located outside of the ancient walls and thus the city bounds. Buildings were erected outwards from North Gate, along St David’s Hill, originally a Roman road from the city up the river valley to Crediton and Tiverton. A large and rural parish, St David’s had its first great push of development in the early nineteenth century.

Exeter was then becoming a desirable place to retire. Large fashionable villas and terraces became the hallmark of Victorian St David’s as Queen Street emerged as the route to the city’s train station, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1844.

The parish evolved with the building of the city Bridewell and Prison in 1819 and 1853, the creation of the Iron Bridge in 1835, the erection of Atwill’s Almshouses on New North Road in 1839, the building of a second railway line through to Central Station in 1860, the erection of St Michael’s Church and Mount Dinham cottages in 1862 and 1867, the development of a Veitch Nursery in 1864, the rebuilding of the Anglican Church of St David in 1900, and the creation of the campus of the University of Exeter in 1922.

Two thousand years of development has given us a rich landscape, and at the heart of it lies 17 St David’s Hill - now Exeter Community Centre, with a long history all of its own.

Following the tour of the Community Centre, our walking tour takes in locations of historic interest along St David's Hill and its surrounding areas.

Timings

Friday 11 September:

14:30

Sunday 13 September:

10:30

Thursday 17 September:

10:30

Location & directions

17 St. David’s Hill, Exeter, Devon, EX4 3RG

Directions:

The entrance to the building is just past the two red telephone boxes on St David's Hill.

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking preferred

Booking conditions:

Please contact reception by telephone or email to book.

Booking telephone number:

+441392420549

Booking email:

[email protected]

Booking opens:

03 Aug 2026 08:30 AM

Booking closes:

08 Sep 2026 04:30 PM

Accessibility details

The community centre is fully accessible. The walking tour of the hill involves no steps.

Additional information

Max number of people:

15

Estimated duration:

1 hour(s) 30 minute(s)

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