Scheduled MonumentsEnglandUnderground passages

Underground passages

England
List entry 1003851
Nation
England
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic England (NHLE)

Overview

History & significance

Underground passages is a system of medieval stone-lined tunnels located in Exeter, Devon, England. The passages date from the later medieval period, with construction beginning in the fourteenth century and continuing into the fifteenth century. They were built beneath the city to supply fresh water to the inhabitants, functioning as an early form of infrastructure to convey water from sources outside the city walls to distribution points within the urban centre. The passages remain largely intact and represent a significant example of medieval civic engineering and urban water management systems in England.

Underground passages is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1003851. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Underground passages?

Underground passages is a system of medieval stone-lined tunnels located in Exeter, Devon, England. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1003851.

Who is responsible for protecting Underground passages?

Underground passages is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1003851.

What other scheduled monuments are near Underground passages?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Medieval bridge and part of a late medieval conduit under Holloway Street (0.8 km), Little John's Cross (2.5 km), St Loye's Chapel and cross, Rifford Road (2.6 km).

Aubrey Research

Generate a full report for this location

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in Britain — drawing on scheduled monument data, Domesday records, Roman heritage, PAS finds and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.

Research the area around Underground passages