Exeter's Underground Passages
To book tickets please click on the appropriate link below:
Exeter's Underground Passages Tours Spring 2024
Exeter's Underground Passages Tours Summer 2024
These medieval passages have always fascinated local people. There are stories of wars and sieges, plague and pestilence. They were designed to bring clean drinking water from natural springs outside the walled city. The water came through lead pipes into the heart of the city. The pipes sometimes leaked and repairs to buried pipes could only be carried out by digging them up as we do today. To avoid this disruption the passages were vaulted. It is down some of these vaulted passageways that visitors are guided.
Exeter is the only city in the UK to have underground passages of this type. Guided tours have taken place here since the 1930s. Today the passages are lit throughout, but still fascinate for all who enter.
Before taking a guided tour underground, visitors pass through the Heritage Centre. This is packed full of interactive displays, including:
- a talking figure of a medieval man
- a high-speed video fly-through of the Passages
- a full-size model of a section of the Passages
- artefacts from the Princesshay archaeological dig
A visit to Exeter’s Underground Passages includes:
- a 10 minute film presentation
- a 25 minute tour underground
- an opportunity to explore the exhibition.
Open All Year
Term Time
Thursday – Sunday: 11:00am to 4:00pm (last tour starts at 3:00pm).
School Holidays
Wednesday – Sunday 10:00am to 4:00pm (last tour starts at 3:00pm).
Closed 24 & 25 December
About the tours
- First tour generally starts half an hour after opening and are repeated at regular intervals throughout the day.
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You are required to arrive 15 minutes before your tour is due to start. Once the tour has started you will not be able to join.
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Children under 5 years of age are not permitted on tours but free access to the exhibition is permitted with an accompanying adult.
- Children (5-17) must be accompanied by an adult underground.
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Wheelchair and pushchair access is restricted to the exhibition only.
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Visitors should be aware that the Passages are constricted and low in places. They are not suitable for those who suffer from claustrophobia.
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Sensible footwear is recommended.
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We are unable to take tours for just one person. Maximum tour size is 15 people.
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During school holidays and at weekends we are very busy. It is advisable to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
- Dogs are not permitted on tours. However assistance dogs are allowed into the exhibition.
Underground Passages Entry fees
| Ticket type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Adult | £7.50 |
| Concession (students & over 60’s) | £6.00 |
| Child (5-17) | £5.00 |
| Family (up to 2 adults and up to 3 children) | £22.00 |
Family tickets can be bought by selecting up to 2 adults (not concessions), and up to 3 children. It should be automatically applied to your basket.
If you would like to book a group tour (10+ people), please use our group booking form or call us on 01392 665887. We require booking at least 14 days in advance plus £25.00 deposit.
How to find us
The entrance to Exeter's Underground Passages is on Paris Street within the Princesshay Quarter.
Paris Street is just off the main High Street as it joins Sidwell Street - head towards Exeter central bus station from the High Street and you will find the entrance to the Passages on the right-hand side in between Next and the back of Zara.
Contacting us
Our address is: 2 Paris Street, Exeter EX1 1GA
You can call us on: 01392 265887
You can email us on: underground.passages@exeter.gov.uk