Guided Tour of St Nicholas Priory (Exeter Branch)

St Nicholas Priory lies off Fore Street, alongside the Mint Methodist Church, and was founded in 1087 by William the Conqueror. By 1539 the priory’s church and cloister were destroyed as a result of King Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries and the Benedictine monks were pensioned off.

The surviving remains later became a town house for a wealthy West Country family. It was thereafter converted into a series of small tenements and is now a museum. Claiming to be the oldest standing building in Devon, it has inevitably gone through many changes, including a wide variety of architectural styles. Various types of local and regional building stones were used, as well as Caen limestone from Normandy.

The guided tour costs £7.50 per person and lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. Booking is essential.