Fact of the day: The House That Moved

Long before DIY SOS or Grand Designs, Exeter played host to one of the city’s most extraordinary feats of engineering – and it involved a medieval house on wheels.

In 1961, a 15th-century timber-framed building was rolled through the streets of Exeter to save it from the wrecking ball. Known today as ‘The House That Moved’, this iconic building now sits at the bottom of West Street, but it originally stood just metres away on what was then Edmund Street.

The building, dating back to around 1430, was due to be demolished as part of a major inner bypass road scheme – but locals, historians and architects rallied to preserve it. What followed was a remarkable rescue mission.

Over the course of four days in December 1961, engineers stripped the home down to its original oak frame, weighing around 30 tonnes, and placed it on iron wheels and steel rails. Using air-compressor-driven winches, the entire structure was slowly and painstakingly rolled around 70 metres to its new home opposite St Mary Steps Church.

Incredibly, the move was successful – and not a single beam was lost. The project cost £10,000 at the time (more than £200,000 today) and made national headlines.

Now listed as Grade II*, The House That Moved is a treasured piece of Exeter’s architectural history and continues to fascinate visitors.

According to local historian Todd Gray, it’s a rare survivor: “The house is one of the finest examples of a medieval merchant's home and stands as a testament to Exeter's long-standing appreciation of its heritage.”

Though it’s now surrounded by traffic lights and modern developments, the building’s distinctive jettied upper floors and crooked charm remain unchanged. It has since housed antique shops, wedding boutiques, and even tea rooms.

Some may say The House That Moved looks like it apparated straight out of Harry Potter — and with its slanting beams, overhanging upper floors and delightfully wonky windows, it’s easy to imagine it nestled among the wand shops and owl emporiums of Diagon Alley. It’s a fitting bit of fantasy for a city that helped shape J.K. Rowling’s imagination during her student days at the University of Exeter

And it’s not just a fun local story – it’s become a symbol of Exeter’s resilience and care for its past. At a time when countless historic buildings were bulldozed in the name of progress, Exeter’s decision to move rather than demolish set a different precedent.

There’s a plaque on the front of the house commemorating its journey – and if you look closely, you can still spot signs of the original construction techniques, including medieval wooden pegs and curved braces.

So next time you’re passing West Street, pause for a moment outside this wonderfully wonky home. Because in Exeter, even the buildings have stories to tell – and sometimes, they’re happy to be moved.