Exeter isn’t just any town in Great Britain—it actually holds the highly coveted status of a city! LEC couldn’t resist taking this opportunity to tell you a little more about it—especially if you’re planning to treat yourself to a language study trip to England !
A town in Devon, not far from Cornwall
It is in the southwest of the United Kingdom that you might happen to come across Exeter during a language study trip to England. The city is located in the county of Devon, a region bordered by Cornwall, Somerset, and Dorset. In fact, Exeter isn’t just any city in Devon—it’s actually the county’s capital.
A city built on the Exe River
Exeter, located a few kilometers from the famous city of Plymouth, is situated on the River Exe, a British waterway that flows through Devon and Somerset. Exeter is not the only place name to which this river has lent its name: traces of it can be found in the seaside resortof Exmouth, as well as in the townsof Exminster andExwick. According to the latest census, Exeter had a population of 121,800. To put that in perspective, if we were to find a French equivalent, it is roughly the same size as the city of Perpignan.
Exeter: vivid accounts of a rich history
Exeter is first and foremost known for its Roman ruins, a testament to the city’s centuries-old history. Originally a Celtic oppidum (a fortification protected by ditches), the city became Roman, as evidenced by the remains of its ancient baths. This site, a testament to a bygone era, is located not far from Exeter’s most iconic landmark: its cathedral. Known as St. Peter’s Cathedral in Exeter —to be referred to as the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter at Exeter during your language study trip to England —it was built between 1112 and 1400 and is a must-see for anyone visiting the city!