The quayside at Exeter, Devon
In the medieval period Exeter had a very important wool trade, and this port played a crucial role in supporting its exports. The peak of the cloth industry was reached in the late 1600s when over 1,000 bales were being exported daily and 80% of the local workforce was involved in the industry. But by the end of the Napoleonic wars (1803-1815) the industry was in terminal decline, due mainly to new methods of mass production. But the port was still busy and this quay was extended downstream in the 1830s. In 1834-35 the two warehouses on the left were constructed by rival builders. New storage areas were also built including the row of cellars that can be seen in the distance on the left. It was the arrival of the railways in 1844 that started the gradual decline in the shipping trade. Eventually, the warehouses were converted into offices, shops and restaurants in the 1980s. The quay is currently a flourishing base for crafts and antiques, and is a popular spot for visitors.
The quayside at Exeter, Devon
In the medieval period Exeter had a very important wool trade, and this port played a crucial role in supporting its exports. The peak of the cloth industry was reached in the late 1600s when over 1,000 bales were being exported daily and 80% of the local workforce was involved in the industry. But by the end of the Napoleonic wars (1803-1815) the industry was in terminal decline, due mainly to new methods of mass production. But the port was still busy and this quay was extended downstream in the 1830s. In 1834-35 the two warehouses on the left were constructed by rival builders. New storage areas were also built including the row of cellars that can be seen in the distance on the left. It was the arrival of the railways in 1844 that started the gradual decline in the shipping trade. Eventually, the warehouses were converted into offices, shops and restaurants in the 1980s. The quay is currently a flourishing base for crafts and antiques, and is a popular spot for visitors.