Cathedral Close, Exeter

The area of Cathedral Close, Exeter has been in the centre of Exeter, Devon, England, since Roman times when there was a basilica and a bath house in this area. A church was established here by the seventh century when a young Saint Boniface came from Crediton to study. The area was walled after 1283 and seven gates into the yard were created. The gates included one at St Petrocks [Church, Exeter|St Petrocks] and the original grand entrance into the yard – Broadgate. This created the cathedral close.
The postal address Cathedral Close refers only to the properties adjoining the north-eastern side of the grassed area around the cathedral. The north-western side of the Cathedral Green, including the Royal Clarence Hotel, is known as Cathedral Yard.
In the centre of the green is a statue of Richard Hooker, a 16th-century Anglican theologian, who was born in Exeter.

Buildings in the close

As well as the Cathedral itself there are a number of important buildings in the close. Two churches face the Cathedral – St Petrocks Church and St Martins. There are also a number of other grade 1 listed buildings: Mol's Coffee House, No 5, Nos 8, 9 and 9a and No 10 Cathedral Close. The grade II listed Royal Clarence Hotel, in Cathedral Yard, also overlooks the Green.