Hole in the Wall, Exeter, Devon

First of all, I must apologise for the mixture of bad and not so bad photos. I had a 'bad hair' day with my camera, which had all sorts of problems. I'd been using a new Minolta XE-1 for a few weeks after my old Minolta SRT 101 seized up, and a vague dissatisfaction with it had gradually turned into quiet desperation! Fortunately I found an SRT 101b on e-bay and I'm a much happier bunny these days. I did take a few more photos on a later visit but not enough to replace all of the first ones...and those ones weren't too brilliant either! You can't win can you! ;) So they are a mixture of both.

Anyway, on with the history & info... 

 ...which isn't much at all, apart from the fact that it's a pub! ;)

However, what I really found interesting is that the building might have been something along the lines of a mill or warehouse at one time. There are various windows with shutters along the building. Some of these look more like loading bays and are quite high up, indicating the possible use of a winch to load produce in and out of the building. One is the lovely blue-painted shutter above (my favourite photo of the day); the photo next to it was taken after the shutters had later been painted black. The pub was shut at this point, with a sign advertising it to be up for sale.

Having said that, the building may well have started out as an Inn, due to the same factors. The bricked up entry (above) can be seen in the upper side wall. Situated on Little Castle Street, the original route to the castle gate, it's difficult to see how carts managed to travel up and down...let alone turn around! It's a very narrow cobblestone street with a drainage ditch running along the centre.

Another street running parallel, called Castle Street, was built to replace Little Castle Street in 1772, as an easier, wider route to the castle entrance. Interestingly, the Mediaeval buildings inside the castle walls were demolished in 1773 and the palladian style County Assizes was built in their place. Therefore, the new road may well have been established in order for large carts of stone and other materials to be taken up to the gate entrance. The buildings between the two streets are dated from the 18th century.

The photos above and below were taken at the rear of the building. Now fenced off, the area behind belongs to Bradninch Hall, which was built in the late 18th/early 19th century. I haven't been able to ascertain its original function or owner as yet, but it may well have been part of the modernisation of the area pertaining to the new assizes. However, if that area was originally a yard belonging to the Hole in the Wall, then that could explain how carts were turned around.

And below, a view of the street looking up towards the castle gate. The Hole in the Wall is on the right of course, and the buildings to the left are the 18th century 'new builds' between Castle Street and Little Castle Street, many of which are faced with delightful slate and wooden tile hangings. A quaint and lovely part of Exeter. :)