Exeter's Underground Passages

Scanning the medieval passages that carried Exeter's clean water beneath the city.

1300sFirst built

425 mKnown length

7Historic access points

Up to 30 mBelow street level

The project

Documenting this much local history, right on our doorstep, was a privilege – and one of the most fascinating jobs we've done. It combined 3D laser scanning with the unique atmosphere of a medieval tunnel network beneath the streets.

Exeter city centre3D laser scanning & topographic survey

The history

The passages were built in the 14th century to carry lead pipes bringing clean water into the city from springs outside the walls. Several of the original access points were later sealed during development or for safety.

Point cloud of the streets above the passages

Data outputs

Topographic survey data overlaid with 3D point clouds, including a cloud-hosted point cloud with information attached, so the passages can be explored and measured online.

Section through the scan data, below street level

Deliverables

What we delivered

Services on this project

3D Laser Scanning Topographic Surveys 3D Heritage Conservation

01
Topographic survey
Survey data of the surface, overlaid with the scan.
02
3D point clouds
Laser scan data of the passages beneath the streets.
03
Cloud-hosted point cloud
With information attached, so the passages can be explored and measured online.

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