Exeter city walls

Exeter’s city walls stretch for about 2.35 kilometres around the heart of the city. Roughly 1,705 metres of the walls remain visible today, some standing up to 2.5 metres high. The circuit is a scheduled monument, protected for its historical importance. Parts of the walls date back to Roman times, built around 200 AD. Four gateways once punctuated the walls, but these were removed in the 18th and 19th centuries. The walls have been repaired and rebuilt over many centuries. Anglo-Saxon, medieval and Civil War periods all saw significant work on the structure. The city was besieged at least twice, leaving marks on the walls. William of Malmesbury once credited King Æthelstan with their construction, though their origins are clearly Roman. The surviving sections now show layers of work from different eras. A walking trail follows the route of the walls, allowing visitors to explore their full length. Several turrets and bastions remain along the circuit, though some are of uncertain age. The walls enclose the historic core of Exeter, offering a tangible link to the city’s past. The trail provides a clear sense of how the walls once defended the settlement.