BBC star goes underground in Exeter

The fascinating history of Exeter’s Underground Passages featured in an episode of the BBC’s popular Bargain Hunt programme this week.

Presenter Christina Trevanion took a trip six metres below the pavements of the city to visit the unique attraction.

The presenter and film crew visited Exeter to film the episode back in the summer, whilst contestants hunted out a bargain at nearby Westpoint Arena.

Filming also took place outside Exeter Cathedral and down at Exeter Quay.

Yet it was the 13th Century built Underground Passages and their quirky history that stole the show.

Viewers of the show – which is available to see on BBC iPlayer - will be able to watch historian and Professor Mark Stoyle from the University of Southampton, as he explains the origins of the Passages whilst being interviewed by the BBC presenter beneath the Exeter city streets.

Prof Stoyle explains how the Passages were built to bring fresh drinking water to the city, and to build them a section of the Roman wall had to be knocked down before being reconstructed.

Underground aqueducts were then constructed to bring the water into the heart of the city.

To watch the programme, click here.