Exeter is set to take centre stage on the BBC's Great Coastal Railway Journeys with Michael Portillo next week. The presenter will take a deep dive into centuries of the city's history.
Michael will be heading underneath Exeter's High Street as he explores the city's Underground Passages. The 425-metre network of tunnels were originally constructed in the Mediaeval period to transport clean drinking water from natural springs into the heart of the city.
It's thought that Exeter's water network was built in this way in order to transport water underneath the city wall. The passages were also vaulted which made it easier to repair leaks and other faults without having to dig up the pipes.
This tunnels supplied the city with water until the mid 19th century when it was damaged by the construction of a new railway line. Since the 1930s, the Underground Passages have been a visitor attraction with guided tours.
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During his visit to Exeter, Michael also speaks with stonemasons at the Cathedral, who conserve the structure's intricate stonework. As the Cathedral was built and repaired over many centuries, multiple different types of stone have been used, much of which comes from parts of East Devon.
Michael then inspects the Exeter Book, which is one of the oldest surviving English poetry anthologies in the world. It was written more than 1,000 years ago by a single scribe and today is kept in the Cathedral Library.
After his whistle-stop tour around Exeter, Michael continues his journey along the South Devon coast, making his next stop in Plymouth.
The episode of Great Coastal Railway Journeys will air on BBC Two at 6:30pm on Tuesday, April 9.
