ON OUR RADAR

From Townhouse to Tenements

An evening talk and tour with performances explores the 19th century history of Exeter’s oldest building.

Leigh Curtis

St Nicholas Priory is hosting an event on Friday 13 January to raise funds for Exeter Historic Buildings Trust, the charity that takes care of the priory on behalf of the city.

The evening event involves a talk, tour and performances exploring the how the priory buildings became tenements housing families, schools, nuns and a children’s nursery during the 1800s.

Refreshments including wine and morsels from the period will be provided.

St Nicholas Priory St Nicholas Priory. Photo: Hugh Llewelyn under Creative Commons license.

Grade I listed St Nicholas Priory was founded in 1087 by William of Normandy.

Following the dissolution of the monasteries its remaining buildings became a prominent Elizabethan town house.

It was subsequently subdivided into several smaller houses and business premises before being restored and becoming a museum in 1916.

Subscribe to The Exeter Digest - Exeter Observer's essential free email newsletter

Your personal information will be processed and stored in accordance with our Privacy Policy

From Townhouse to Tenements is at 6.30-8.30pm on Friday 13 January 2023 at St Nicholas Priory in Mint Lane. Tickets cost £15.

Visit the priory website for more information and to book tickets.


Democracy doesn't work when people don't know who is deciding what on whose behalf and what the costs and consequences of those decisions will be.

Exeter Observer is proving that reader-funded media can deliver the independent public interest journalism our local democracy needs.

Upgrade to a paid Exeter Observer subscription to support our work and get access to exclusive premium content and more.

More stories
Devon County Council budget meeting 20 February 2025

Devon County Council reveals perilous financial state with SEND spending having “significant impact” on cash balances

5.9% budget increase for 2025-26 conceals £22 million cuts and £66 million cost increases with “inevitable” impact on “vital” services.

Devon and Cornwall Police chief constables Will Kerr, Jim Colwell and James Vaughan

Three Devon & Cornwall Police chief constables costing £64,000 per month

Police and Crime Commissioner seeks Home Office help with wage bill equating to £767,000 a year resulting from suspension of two chief constables in 18 months.

Danny Barnes

Councillor misses 12 of 14 meetings to leave Heavitree & Whipton Barton without County Hall representation for over a year

Dates of two public rights of way committee meetings attended by Danny Barnes – neither conducting Exeter business – meant no by-election held despite Labour councillor missing all meetings of Devon County Council since December 2023.

Grace Road Fields March 2025

Exeter Energy insists Riverside Valley Park only viable heat plant site but fails to explain Marsh Barton brownfield rejection

Company admits River Exe water source connection merely “potential” after 2036, incinerator connection only “possible” after 2030 and solar array “will not” meet plant electricity demand while statutory objections challenge Grace Road Fields plans.

Exeter Community Lottery revenue distribution FAQ

Exeter Community Lottery income spent on gambling licence fees and costs despite council marketing and point of sale claims

Materially misleading claims that 60% of ticket sales revenue goes to good causes repeatedly made on lottery website and in official council communications as Australian multinational profits from local voluntary and community sector support.

Existing Exeter area parliamentary and district council boundaries map

Will Devon’s eleven councils find common ground as local authority reorganisation deadline looms?

A county-wide consensus is gaining traction with most Devon councils already on board and only Exeter City Council standing in its way while County Hall has yet to make up its mind.

, updated