Exeter is located 110 km southwest of Bristol and 60 km northeast of Plymouth. It lies on the River Exe. It is a cathedral city of Devon, and Devon County Council is also based in the city. The county town of Devon was the most fortified Roman settlement in Britain despite the fact that before the Roman invasion, a British tribe had existed in Exeter.During the Tudor times and middle Ages, the county town became a religious hub that is in between 1485 and 1603. Cathedral Church of Saint Peter at Exeter, also called Exeter Cathedral was founded in the mid-11th century. During the English Reformation in the 16th century, Exeter Cathedral became Anglican. After the First World War, the city faced great downfall, but even then Exeter managed to become an opulent hub for the trade of wool in the 19th century. Presently, the city Centre, which was renovated after the Second World War, is considered as a modern business and tourism centre in Cornwall and Devon.
Geography
Exeter is situated 110 km southwest of Bristol and 60 km northeast of Plymouth. It was established on a ridge of land supported by steep hills on the River Exe. The River Exe is joined by River Creedy, opens towards estuary and a vast floodplain. This was the River Exe’s lowest bridging point historically which was navigable and tidal up to Exeter until the weirs were built. In George Oliver’s “The History of the City of Exeter”, ruling and beautiful elevation of the area, tidal and navigable river and fertility of the surrounding countryside were the causes which were noted for the settlement of what would become modern Exeter. Although the structure of enclosing areas is assorted, the city lies mostly on the mixed geology and sandstone.
Transport
The M5 motorway starts from Birmingham and travels to Exeter and Bristol. It links at Bristol with M4 to South Wales and London. The A30 road provides the direct road to London via M3 and A303. Stagecoach South West is the foremost operator of local buses in the city whereas Dartline is a minor operator. The country bus services run from the city to most parts in North and East Devon.
Exeter is a rail hub within the south-west and is connected to Exmouth, Okehampton, Paington, Barnstaple and other lines in Devon. Exeter Central, Exeter St Davids and Exeter St Thomas are three major railway stations of the Exeter. During the summer, Exeter St. Davids makes it easy to reach most stations in Devon.Exeter Airport is located in the east of the city. Flybe, the local airline, is a major local employer. The airport provides charter flights and range of scheduled flights to Irish and British regional airports.The Exeter Canal was completed in 1566. It is one of the ancient artificial waterways of Britain and cut to bypass weirs, built across the River Exe. This influences boats to unlade at Topsham and restricts trade in Exeter.
Education
There are two campuses of the University of Exeter; both marked for their alluring parkland. The University is among the large employers of Exeter. The Exeter College formerly ran as the sole sixth form for the complete maintained school sector in Exeter. The city accommodates three special schools, 25 primary schools, five secondary schools and four referral schools. The Atkinson Unit is a secure specialised educational complex for children in care or who have been kept in custody by the courts.
