25 Friars Walk, c.1850, Exeter

Watercolour drawing of 25 Friars Walk, c1850, Exeter, George Townsend

This watercolour depicts a two-storey house with people in a small garden in the foreground. A light wash of paint is applied across the piece, which is slightly faded with a little foxing in the top left-hand corner. It is initialled "GT," likely indicating the artist George Townsend, in the bottom left-hand corner. 

The street name of Friars’ Walk refers to the historic St James Priory of Cluniac monks which was founded in this area in the 12th century. The Priory was closed some years before the Reformation. The area was later used for tenter frames which were used for drying and stretching of woollen cloth. By the 18th century there was pressure for land within the City Walls and this area just outside the South Gate was developed for fine stucco houses such as number 25. In the census of 1881 this property was the home of Alfred Wheaton, who had inherited a successful family printing firm (he lived there since at least the 1870s, as indicated by Besley's directory of 1878). Successful professional families lived in the attractive houses on this road. This house is still standing, set back from the road, but has been subdivided, the balconies removed, and the striking bay windows rebuilt. Townsend has provided an attractive record.

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Prints and Drawings