In December 1961, a medieval timber-framed house dating from the early 1400s was lifted onto iron wheels and rolled through the streets of Exeter, surviving demolition by just seventy metres.
Origins on Edmund Street
The house now known as "The House That Moved" was built between 1420 and 1460 at No. 16 Edmund Street, on the corner with Frog Street. Constructed for a wealthy merchant, the three-storey building is one of the oldest private dwellings in Devon. It is the only surviving example in Exeter city centre of a corner-plot, jettied timber-framed house, where each successive floor projects outward beyond the one below.
The structure measures a compact 180 square feet (approximately 17 square metres), yet displays remarkable craftsmanship. The first floor overhangs by nearly two feet on two sides. The west wall is built of Heavitree stone, while the timber frame features traceried windows with cinquefoil heads and diagonal dragon beams with curved headed posts supporting the projecting corners. These architectural details placed the house on the statutory list of protected buildings on 29 January 1953, when it received Grade II status.
The Threat of Demolition
By the 1950s, the house had fallen into poor repair. More significantly, it stood directly in the path of progress. Exeter City Council planned to replace the Exe Bridge and construct a bypass road that would route traffic around the city centre rather than through it. This scheme required the demolition of Edmund Street and Frog Street entirely.
The Ministry of Works intervened, placing a preservation order on the building. On 5 October 1960, the Ministry issued a compulsory purchase order. The government contributed £7,000 towards the relocation, with total costs estimated between £8,000 and £10,000.
The Move
A specialist London contractor was engaged for the operation. The house was stripped back to its wooden frame, which alone weighed approximately 30 long tons. A further 10 long tons of timber framework were added to reinforce the structure for the move. No metal screws or bolts were used in this reinforcement; the entire strengthening relied on traditional timber joints.
The building was fitted with iron wheels at its corners and placed on steel rails. Air-compressor-driven winches provided the motive power, while jacks ensured the top-heavy structure remained level throughout. Spirit levels were monitored continuously.
The work began on Saturday 9 December 1961, when the house was raised on jacks. Over that weekend it was moved into the centre of Edmund Street. On Tuesday 12 December, Edmund Street was closed to traffic for the final phase. The house was turned through 90 degrees to correct its orientation, then rolled 70 metres (approximately 220 feet) up a 1:10 gradient to its new position. The entire final move took about four and a half hours. The National Buildings Record described the operation as a "remarkable feat".
New Life on West Street
The house was reset at No. 24 West Street, at the bottom of the hill opposite the Church of St Mary Steps. It was cemented in place and underwent full refurbishment, including extensive woodwork treatment. The dormer windows and shopfront porch were not replaced, and the front door was relocated to the side facing West Street.
Today the building houses Pirouette, a bridal shop. Previous occupants have included a bookshop, a computer store, and a nail bar. The Church of St Mary Steps, which dates from approximately 1150, stands directly opposite; together they form a remarkable cluster of medieval architecture at the former West Gate of Exeter's city walls.
What Was Lost
The survival of this house came at a cost that is rarely acknowledged. As Dr Todd Gray, a historian at the University of Exeter, has noted, a building of equal age and value was demolished at the West Street site to make room for the relocated house. The move preserved one medieval merchant's home by sacrificing another.