Cathedral Close, Exeter facts for kids

Cathedral Close in Exeter, Devon, England, has been an important spot since ancient Roman times. Back then, it had a big public hall (called a basilica) and a bath house.

'Broadgate seen from the Cathedral Close, Exeter'. This drawing was made with pen, ink, and watercolour.

A church was built here around the 600s. A famous saint, Saint Boniface, even came here to study when he was young! Around 1283, walls were built around the area, and seven gates were added. This created what we now call the cathedral close. One important gate was at St Petrocks, and the main entrance was called Broadgate.

It's good to know that 'Cathedral Close' usually means the buildings on the northeast side of the grassy area around the cathedral. The northwest side, where the Royal Clarence Hotel is, is called 'Cathedral Yard'.

In the middle of the green, you'll see a statue of Richard Hooker. He was an important religious thinker from the 1500s who was born right here in Exeter.

A wide view of part of the close, looking north from the roof of the cathedral's north tower.

Important Buildings in the Close

Besides Exeter Cathedral itself, there are many other important buildings in the close. Two churches face the Cathedral: St Petrocks Church and St Martin's Church.

There are also several other buildings that are very old and protected. These are called 'Grade I listed buildings'. They include Mol's Coffee House, No 5, Nos 8, 9 and 9a, and No 10 Cathedral Close. The Royal Clarence Hotel in Cathedral Yard, which is a 'Grade II listed building', also looks out over the Green.