Exeter from the South East, 1990, Exeter

Christmas greetings card showing Exeter from the South East, 1990

An engraving published by H. Besley reproduced on the Mayor of Exeter's Christmas card

This image was produced as a Christmas card. It shows the city in the second half of the 19th century, before suburbs had covered the green fields below where the shepherd is gathering his flock in the foreground. The high viewpoint suggests that this is the view from the fields of the Ludwell Valley. This parkland is still enjoyed by people in the city. The great Norman towers of Exeter Cathedral can be seen in the distance and the spires of the many churches in the city including Heavitree, St Leonards and St Mary Major. The Georgian terraces of grand houses in Southernhay obscure the view of the east end of the Cathedral. In the centre of the picture is the back of one of the great houses built in the open green spaces around the city such as Coaver, Bellair and Mount Radford. Their grounds have been submerged by building development even though some of the houses themselves have survived.

This image is an engraving printed on paper in the mid-nineteenth century.

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