Parliament Street

This little street, formerly called Small Lane, was renamed when Parliament was derided by the City Chamber for passing the 1832 Reform Bill. The street itself dates from the 14th century. It is certainly a very narrow thoroughfare, very dark with high buildings on each side. The total length is about 50 metres.

In 1740 the City Chamber ordered that doors be fixed at each end of the street. Local householders had been in the habit of emptying their chamber pots into the street, causing a public nuisance - the gates would stop that little practice. And later, in 1836, the locals in Waterbeer Street petitioned the council to have Parliament Street widened, raising £130 towards the work, which in the event, was never undertaken.

The alternative newspaper, the Exeter Flying Post had their offices in Parliament Street when they started publishing in February 1976. The address was the 3rd floor, 195 High Street, with the entrance in Parliament Street. If you look carefully, there is a door on the right in the photograph. 

A brass plaque on the right of the entrance to Parliament Street reads: