North Street - Northgate Street

The street that leads to the site of the old North Gate, which was demolished in 1769. It was formerly called Northgate Street. The street was first widened in 1821 which would have resulted in the removal or partial demolition of some of the medieval buildings. Next to go was one of the many lost churches of Exeter, St Kerrian's, dedicated to a Celtic saint from Glastonbury, which was demolished in 1878. The map shows the street circa 1905.

A major widening took place in the 1890's when some 17th-century buildings on the west side lost 8ft of frontage. The shops on this side are really Victorian fronts with 17th-century, timber framed rears, some with original stone sinks, while one retains an original staircase. Paternoster House at the top corner with Fore Street was built in 1882 after two fires destroyed the previous building. It housed William Brock & Co, with Wheatons in the corner shop. Most people who have lived in Exeter for longer than 15 years will remember Cornish's, who clothed many Exeter school children for many years, occupying the corner shop from 1905. It is also has the distinction of installing the first lift in a building in Exeter. The Yacht Beverage Co is now the site of, and entrance to the Gaumont.

Most of the rest of ancient shops and houses on the east side of North Street were lost when the Guildhall Shopping Centre was built in the 1970's. Lost buildings included the Elephant Inn and no 35 and 36, which dated from the late 15th century. Along with William Pollard, the printers, these buildings have been replaced by Woolworths. In medieval times, North Street was very narrow, and many of the houses were merchants houses with overhanging first floors and solariums on top, closing in the street even more. It must have been almost possible to shake hands with the people opposite, from the top floors, as the street was only 3 metres wide at the bottom.

When St David's Down was largely an agricultural area, lime from Larkbeare and Countess Wear was transported up South Street and down North Street on truckermucks or carts without wheels. Drawn by oxen, they often tipped over, blocking the street and spreading lime over the surface, as well as breaking up the cobbled surface.

The top of North Street at the junction with Fore Street, South Street and the High Street was called the Carfax, and a water supply was provided through a conduit that was paid for by friars and nuns of Exeter. Ironically, the first victim of the cholera, in Exeter during 1832, was a woman who had just travelled from Plymouth, who died on 19th July in North Street.

Source: Various sources including Two Thousand Years in Exeter by W G Hoskins and Exeter Architecture by Hugh Meller.