Delve Deeper
Delve deeper, discover hidden history and enjoy stunning sights with a Special Tour of Exeter Cathedral.
Whether you want to learn more about the history of the building’s architecture on a Romanesque to Gothic Tour or Reformation Tour or you long to explore the grounds and tranquil surrounds on a Stones & Bones Tour, we have something for everyone.
Roof Tours
This fascinating behind-the-scenes tour takes you into the roof void, high above the Nave, the South Tower, the Lead Room, the Ringing Chamber and then through the spaces in the North Tower. If weather permits we extend the tour out onto the roof of the North Tower to enjoy some of the best views of Exeter (and beyond).
Roof Tours will take place on:
Tuesday 25 March at 11:15am
Friday 28 March at 11:15am
Monday 7 April at 2:15pm
Tuesday 8 April at 11:15am
Monday 14 April at 11:15am
Wednesday 16 April at 11:15am
Price: Adult £18.50, Child (8yrs -17yrs accompanied by an adult on a one-to-one basis) £8
Duration: 1hr 30mins approx
Dress: Flat-soled shoes are essential, no flip flops please.
Changes: Non-refundable, non-changeable.
Accessibility: You must be able to walk unaided. We’re sorry this tour isn’t accessible to everyone due to over 150 steps.
Please read the Roof Tour Terms and Conditions before booking your visit.
Onwards & Upwards Tour
Explore Exeter Cathedral at ground level to discover its finest medieval features, before heading upwards, into its fascinating roof space. Walk high above the nave, along the vaulted ceiling, and learn about the ‘racking’ that might have resulted the complete destruction of the roof. You will also discover the lead room that was once used for smelting, and visit the bell-ringing chamber. Stepping through a Norman window into the flag room you will then continue to the top of the Cathedral’s Romanesque North Tower* to take in breathtaking views across Exeter and beyond.
* Weather permitting
Onwards & Upwards Tour will take place on:
Thursday 20 March at 11am
Thursday 27 March at 11am
Thursday 3 April at 11am
Thursday 10 April at 11am
Thursday 17 April at 11am
Price: £22.50. For safety reasons, children are not permitted on this tour.
Duration: 2hr 30mins approx
Dress: Flat shoes essential
Accessible: Unfortunately, there is no disabled access on this tour owing to the steps. You must be able to walk unaided at floor level.
Please read the Roof Tour Terms and Conditions before booking your visit.
Stones & Bones: The Cathedral Precinct Tour
Delve into the history of the Cathedral Green and explore the surrounds of Exeter Cathedral, by tracing their history from Roman time to the present day.
Discover the secrets of Exeter’s cemetery (you may be surprised) and uncover the medieval murder of a local priest. Learn about the buildings of the Close and the evolution of the Cathedral over the last 900 years, on this fascinating 90–minute tour of history and archaeology.
The Stones & Bones Tour will take place on:
Monday 17 March at 11:30am
Monday 24 March at 11:30am
Monday 7 April at 11:30am
Tuesday 15 April at 11:30am
Tuesday 22 April at 11:30am
Wednesday 30 April at 11:30am
Tuesday 6 May at 11:30am
Tuesday 13 May at 11:30am
Tuesday 20 May at 11:30am
Wednesday 28 May at 11:30am
Tickets:
Adults: £12.50
Under 18s: £5
Please note that this tour mainly takes place outside so please dress appropriately for the weather.
Uncovering the Civil War at Exeter Cathedral
The 17th century began with Queen Elizabeth I and ended with Prince William of Orange on the English throne. Between them the Stuart Kings came from Scotland to take the throne, and by the middle of the century the country was engulfed in a terrible civil war.
Join us on an exciting brand new tour to take a closer look at evidence of the impact of the Civil War on the Cathedral building and decoration.
More dates coming soon.
Tickets:
Adults: £12.50
Reformation Tour
The 16th century Reformation caused the greatest ever upheaval in the life and fabric of Exeter Cathedral. Begun under the reign of King Henry VIII, the break with Rome led to a complete rethinking of the way people related to God, the Bible and the Church itself. Take a closer look at some of the damage inflicted at that time and learn how the lives of the Cathedral, and its inhabitants, were changed forever.
More dates coming soon.
Tickets:
Adults: £12.50
Under 18s: £5
Romanesque to Gothic
Take a closer look at Exeter Cathedral’s exterior and learn about its successive phases of building work, starting with a Norman Cathedral and culminating in the decorated Gothic Cathedral we can see today. Learn how its appearance has evolved over 900 years and discover the unique features of this architectural masterpiece.
The Romanesque to Gothic Tour will take place on:
Friday 28 March at 1:30pm
Thursday 10 April at 1:30pm
Friday 2 May at 1:30pm
Tickets:
Adults: £10
Under 18s: £5
Duration: 60 mins approx
Please note that this tour mainly takes place outside so please dress appropriately for the weather.
Kings & Queens Tour
Founded by King Edward the Confessor in 1050, and with King Charles III as the current royal patron for its 2020s Development Appeal, Exeter Cathedral has a long history of royal connections. Join us to discover the stories of Exeter Cathedral’s royal patrons and visitors on this special new tour which blends a walking tour of the Cathedral building with a visit to the Cathedral Library & Archives to explore original documents.
Discover history older than the Cathedral itself as you learn about King Edmund the Martyr, king of East Anglia 855-869 and the only king to have his own chapel at Exeter Cathedral, and Anglo-Saxon King Athelstan, king 924-940! Then journey through time discovering the stories of twelve other royal connections, including King Edward the Confessor, King William the Conqueror, Queen Catherine of Aragon, King William of Orange, and of course, her late majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The tour begins in the Cathedral nave and ends in the Exeter Cathedral Library and Archives.
The Kings & Queens Tour will take place on:
Wednesday 16 April at 1:30pm
Tickets:
Adults: £20
Please note that this tour mainly takes place outside so please dress appropriately for the weather.
The Bishop’s Palace Garden and Cathedral Tour
The Bishop’s Palace Garden & Cathedral Tour is an opportunity to visit a beautiful area in the centre of the Exeter. It begins inside Exeter Cathedral with a look at the parts of the building which can be seen from the Palace Garden. The tour continues with a walk around the outside of the magnificent Cathedral site to the medieval Palace Gate – through which we enter the tranquility of the garden.
The Bishop’s Palace Garden and Cathedral Tour will take place on:
Wednesday 9 April at 10:30am
Monday 14 April at 10:30am
Tickets:
Adults: £20
Under 18s: £10
Please note that this tour mainly takes place outside so please dress appropriately for the weather.