Following two years of painstaking heritage building work, Exeter Cathedral has opened its new ‘Friends’ Cloister Gallery’ to visitors. Built on the same foundations as the original medieval cloisters which were demolished in 1657, the new structure is the most significant building to adjoin the cathedral since its Speke and Oldham chapels, constructed around 500 years ago.
The new building has been named in recognition of the support from The Friends of Exeter Cathedral, an independent charity founded in 1929 to help preserve and improve the cathedral’s fabric and furnishings. The charity donated £1 million towards the building cost, with further funding coming from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and other supporters.
The new cloister provides a covered walkway, connecting the cathedral with its 13th century Chapter House and Pearson buildings. The building also houses new accessible toilet facilities as well as a new café and gift shop.
Dr Rosemary Yallop, Chair of the Friends of Exeter Cathedral, said the charity is delighted to support the exciting new phase in the cathedral’s history:
“‘The Friends’ Cloister Gallery is a remarkable project which has brought together careful historical research, beautiful design and excellence in craftsmanship to create a serene space which supports the needs of a modern-day cathedral. It matches exactly the charitable remit of the Friends which is to safeguard and enhance the cathedral fabric, and we are very pleased to have been able to support it.”
The building is part of Exeter Cathedral’s 2020s Development Appeal Project, which is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and aims to make sure that the historic building is preserved for future generations and remains welcoming to all.
Stuart McLeod, Director England – London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:
“We are delighted to support Exeter Cathedral and help it transform its spaces and experience for future visitors. Not only does it play an integral part in the community of Devon, but it is a building that has been the centre of so much of Exeter’s history. The new Friends’ Cloister Gallery is an important step in building a more sustainable future for the cathedral. Thanks to National Lottery players, this historic building can continue to evolve and engage a wider range of people with its heritage.”
The Very Reverend Jonathan Greener, Dean of Exeter, added:
“The new Friends’ Cloister Gallery is a huge milestone in the history of the cathedral’s architecture and will help make the building an even better place for community gatherings, events and much more. We are looking forward to welcoming visitors to see for themselves the wonderful craftmanship that went into creating this magnificent new structure, which is made from locally sourced stone from Somerset and north Dorset.
“We are hugely grateful to The Friends, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Kirby Laing Foundation, The Wolfson Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation and so many other supporters, including individual donors who are continuing to ‘adopt a stone’ in the new space and helping to write this exciting new chapter in our story. I would also like to thank our wonderful community of worshippers, volunteers and visitors for their patience and understanding through the inevitable upheaval of such a significant project.”
Work will now continue in the cathedral’s Pearson building to create a new ‘Treasures Gallery’ exhibition, which will showcase ancient collections from the cathedral’s library and archive, currently scheduled to open next summer.
Find out more about Exeter Cathedral’s ongoing development project >