The Mystery of the Crediton Tunnels

Apr 13, 2020

‘Crediton is a fantastic place’, explains Mike, ‘but sometimes we forget our history and the shops, businesses and people that make this town work. Our new group – called ‘Crediton area photo/video history’ - is full of enthusiasm for local history and Crediton memories. Our members, who were once silent individuals, have become through our group part of a much bigger community. We all hope that we can repair some the damage that recent events have done during these dark times.

A rare photo of the wine cellar at 11 Union Road.

I’m sure many locals have heard of the Crediton Tunnels, said to connect many diverse areas of the town. I have been fascinated by these mysterious passageways all my life. Recently I have been lucky to be in touch with many members of our group who have shared their stories of this much neglected area of our town’s history.

Perhaps the best proof that the tunnels do exist is the published exploration by late Lieut Col. L.A.D Montague, in the wine cellar of 11 Union Road.

“The passage was one metre wide and circa two metres high, but it was blocked within 10 metres of the house. It seemed to run along the line of Union Road, but may have been heading directly to the church, or towards Dean Street, where another passage has been noted. But since so much further blocked up by debris, as to offer no intelligible photograph of the entrance."

Others have noted;

“Underground passages large enough for a man to walk upright and about 3 feet wide, without stone walls or vaulting, exist under Crediton streets, and are believed to have connected the cellars of various ancient buildings within the former Bishop's Palace. In 1895 one could be entered from the cellar of The Chantry at No 46 Dean Street, where there is a sculptured stone arch of a blocked doorway. This ran under the east pavement of Dean Street from its north end opposite the Parish Church towards the site of the Old Deanery. Another, which could be entered from the cellar of No 11 Union Road, and was believed to run to the Parish Church, is now blocked.”

The Dean Street tunnel was well remembered by Phillip Budd. Phillip’s mother knew the Tennent (or Tennant) family very well. They owned the Chantry in Dean Street when he was a boy. His mother told him that the tunnels actually started in the ground floor in the living room. This entrance had been covered by a large fireplace. I suspect this could have been a secret way down to the cellar, where in times of trouble it could be used as an escape route, although it has been known for priest holes to be concealed in fireplaces. Phillip and many people believe that this tunnel led to the Church. I think that he must have spent some time looking for the entrance but, like many others, he couldn’t find it.

Yet another account was given to me by a neighbour who used to live in Dean Street. He told me about the tunnel that he found. He was digging out a pond for someone, behind the Plymouth Inn. When they took the pond out they pulled up a slab and under the slab there was the brick lined tunnel. The owner’s wife didn't want them to explore it, so they didn't.

I have a first-hand account too of a crypt in the Church.

“I was on one job in the crypt below the altar. This was to place a casket of ashes of a former churchman in there. I was young but I knew my architectural styles and what I saw there was a thick wall of Saxon long/short style.”

I would love to believe these tunnels exist. Sadly the only archaeology research in the Church turned up very little of interest. So, until there is more research, or a breakthrough, we will either believe or disbelieve in the Crediton Tunnels. What do you think?’

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