Ferry House, Quay, c1850, Exeter

Ferry House, Quay, c1850, Exeter

The Ferry House was the home of the ferryman who carried people across the river at this point. In 1803 Richard Sercombe chose to supplement his income by running a pub called the Fountain Inn from his home. After the time this picture was drawn a front range was added to the building and the pub was later renamed The Prospect Inn. The brick retaining wall beyond the Ferry House in this picture shows the cellars which were dug into the steep cliff behind the wall. These were used for storage and, so it is suggested, smuggling. One of the houses in Colleton Crescent above this wall is reputed to have a tunnel leading into the back of one of these stores. Beyond the walls can be seen the bonded warehouses which were newly built in Townsend’s day. This view is drawn from in front of the Custom House and customs officers patrolled along the top of the cliff wall to check on any illegal activities which might be going on below.

The Prospect Inn caused considerable excitement in Exeter in 1957 when it was offered as a prize in a competition run by the Daily Sketch newspaper. The winning couple were presented with the keys by the glamorous actress Diana Dors. The event drew a large crowd.

This work is watercolour on paper c.1850.

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George Townsend

Prints and Drawings