Parliament Street, Alley in Exeter, England
Parliament Street is a very narrow pedestrian alley in central Exeter, running about 165 feet (50 meters) between the High Street and Waterbeer Street. At its narrowest point it is just over 2 feet (0.64 meters) wide, which leaves almost no room for two people to pass each other.
The alley dates back to the 14th century, when it was known as Small Lane, a name that simply described how little space it took up. It was renamed around 1850 in reference to the Reform Bill passed in 1832, with the new name seen by some as a joke about Parliament's reach.
The alley was renamed Parliament Street after the passing of the Reform Bill in 1832, showing that even the smallest corners of a city can carry political memory. A brass plaque on the wall still marks the width of the passage, giving visitors something concrete to read as they squeeze through.
The alley is open at all times and sits just off the main High Street, so it is easy to spot if you walk along the center of town. Anyone carrying a bag or pushchair should be aware that parts of the passage are less than a yard wide.
In the 1700s, the city ordered doors to be placed at each end of the alley so it could be locked at night. This was done after residents repeatedly threw waste into the passage, making it unusable.
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