GENUKI/Devon: Exeter - Places Of Amusement, &c.

PLACES OF AMUSEMENT, &c.

The THEATRE, near Bedford Circus and Southernhay, is a commodious building, with a handsome stone front. Except the latter, it was destroyed by fire in 1820, and soon afterwards rebuilt. At the Hotel in the Close is an Assembly Room, which was the only room for such purpose in the city before 1820, when the ROYAL SUBSCRIPTION ROOMS, opposite the New London Inn, were erected at a great expense. The Ball Room in this large and elegant building is 92 feet by 41, and 40 in height. It is tastefully fitted up, and lighted by a handsome dome. The building also contains tea-rooms and other suitable accommodations for balls, assemblies, concerts, exhibitions, &c., and is now the property of Miss Congdon. The orchestra has a large organ-case, but the organ has not vet been inserted. Behind Fore street is the Devon and Exeter Hall, a large and handsome room, built by Mr. N. Tuckett, for public meetings, concerts, &c. The Athenaeum, as already noticed, has a spacious room, used for public lectures, &c., by several of the Literary Institutions. Attached to some of the latter are museums, libraries, and news-rooms. Exeter Oratorio Society holds several performances yearly in the Royal Subscription Rooms, and possesses much vocal and instrumental talent, as also do several other musical societies, and the cathedral choir.

The PUBLIC BATHS at Upper Southernhay were opened in 1821, and comprise cold, hot, plunge, shower, vapour, medicated, and fumigated baths. They are the property of Mr. E.W. Jackson, and a portion of the building is appropriated during summer to an exhibition of paintings, models, &c., arranged under the direction of the Society for the Study and Encouragement of Art. The baths are supplied from the city water-works.

PUBLIC WALKS, &c. - As already noticed, the city and suburbs present a delightful diversity of public walks and picturesque scenery, m which are seen many interesting buildings of ancient and modern date, and many handsome villas and rows of genteel houses, with tasteful gardens, shrubberies, woody lawns, &c. NORTHERNHAY, which extends round the northern and eastern sides of the Castle precincts, was distinguished, many years ago, as one of the finest public walks in England, and after being long neglected, it was restored, in 1845, by subscription, at the cost of about £700. Two new lodges were erected, and new serpentine walks were laid out, and tastefully planted in those parts where many of the fine old elms had been cut down in former years. The FRIARS' WALK is an ancient public promenade, now much obscured by buildings, but near it is Colleton crescent, where the river and canal, the shipping, the rich foliage of the surrounding country, and the elevated and distant hills, combine in producing a most pleasing landscape, About four acres of land, called Bury Meadows, near the New North. road, was opened as a place of recreation for the public in 1846. With the permission of the proprietor (J. Abbott, Esq.,) many pleasure parties from Exeter often visit FORDLANDS, near Ide, about 21 miles west of the city. These romantic grounds, from their sylvan shades, gleaming lakes, rustic arbours, and devious, ever-winding paths, might be appropriately denominated Fairy-land. The house itself is not a showy mansion, but the grounds are so fancifully laid out, as to attract the attention of numerous visitors. Tea parties are accommodated in the neighbourhood, and numberless are the summer jaunts to this sequestered labyrinth of shady bowers and sylvan walks. Charming strolls may be taken on all sides of the city, and extensive views may be had from Pennsylvania Hill; Montpelier; the site of Danes Castle, near the County Gaol and Cavalry Barracks; and other eminences. Tea Gardens are numerous in the neighbourhood, and at them may be obtained in perfection those preparations of milk called Junket and Devonshire Cream.

SPORTING AND FISHING. - To the lovers of field. sports the neighbourhood of Exeter offers many attractions. Within ten or fifteen miles, several packs of hounds are kept. To the angler, the different streams in the vicinity give excellent fishing - on the Exe, from Cowley bridge upwards; on the Culme, branching off from the Exe at Stoke Canon; on the Creedy, another stream. joining the Exe, near Cowley bridge ; on the Teign, from Dunsford bridge; and on the Clist, near Sidmouth road. Anglers are sometimes allowed to fish in the canal by permission of the Town Council. The Exe Fishing Association was established in 1844, and Mr. S. B. Hodgson is its secretary. Exe River is noted for fine trout and a variety of smaller fish.

Brian Randell, 24 Oct 1998

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