St Sidwell's Centre

St Sidwell’s Community Centre HOD will run between Monday 15th Sep - Wednesday 17 Sep, 10am-4pm and the main display area is open during these times. Visit the chapel and view the stained glass windows and Harry Hems statues. The self-guided walking tour of St Sidwell’s can be downloaded from our website, along with the graveyard audio tour.

The legend of St Sidwella

Saint Sidwella is the patron saint of Exeter. Much of her story revolves around the village and fields outside of the Roman city walls that became known as St Sidwell’s and she is said to be buried here.

Sidwella’s rich land-owning father Benna died leaving his daughter in the care of a cruel stepmother, who was jealous of her beauty and virtue and her inheritance.

The stepmother plotted Sidwella’s death and paid two corn reapers to creep up on her as she knelt in prayer in a field and cut off her head with a scythe. The legend tells that a spring of pure water appeared from the ground where her head came to rest. For the next three nights, the spot was illuminated by a heavenly shaft of light. On the fourth night she was seen walking in the fields with her head miraculously re-attached to her body.

At that place a church was built, and named St Sidwell’s. Sidwell Street is named after her.

Timings & Tours

Monday 15 September:

10am to 4pm

Tuesday 16 September:

10am to 4pm

Wednesday 17 September:

10am to 4pm

Location & directions

Sidwell Street, Exeter, Devon, EX4 6NN

Directions:

The Church is now a community centre and can be found on Sidwell Street opposite the British Heart Foundation.

Contact on day:

Garry

Telephone number:

+441392666222

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Additional information

Our cafe will be open from 10am until 3pm for breakfast and lunch, along with drinks.

Max no of people per tour:

5

Est. tour duration:

0 hour(s) 20 minute(s)

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