Exeter Woollen Trail

Exeter Woollen Trail is a self-guided trail that provides a great way to learn about the historic city and its most important industry of the past, the woollen cloth trade. The trail guide can be downloaded online, or paper copies are available at the Visitor Guildhall, which is the starting point of the trail.

The area surrounding the Guildhall is where many wealthy merchants set up their offices, shops, and homes, from here the trail will take you to St Nicholas Priory, a Tudor house that was the home of 2 of the city's prominent wool merchants. Next you will see Tucker's Hall, followed by the Old Exe Bridge, which was a principle entry point for much of the cloth that was brought to the city.

The trail continues past the heart of the Devon cloth industry, Exe Island, then along the Quayside to Warehouses, before using Butts Ferry or one of the bridges to reach the Canal and Canal Basin. There is an information panel at each key point, and you can also visit a number of buildings on the trail. There are quizzes and puzzles for the kids to solve along the way, so make sure you bring paper and a pencil with you!

A fascinating (and free!) way to entertain (and exercise) the whole family.

Image "The Guildhall" copyright BazzaDaRambler via Flickr