Northernhay Gardens, Public park near Rougemont Castle in Exeter, England.
Northernhay Gardens is a public park in central Exeter, England, laid out along the line of the old city walls. Tree-lined paths run through open lawns and shaded spots, with the ancient stonework of the walls forming a backdrop on one side.
The site was used as a quarry in Roman times to supply stone for the city walls being built around Exeter. In 1612, the land was converted into a public garden, making it one of the earliest spaces of this kind in England.
The gardens hold several monuments and statues dedicated to local figures, including war memorials and busts of people who shaped Exeter's past. Visitors come across these works naturally as they walk along the paths, without any formal museum setting.
The park can be entered from several points, including Northernhay Place and Queen Street near the city centre shopping area. This makes it easy to pass through during a walk around the city without needing to plan a separate visit.
The park contains the only visible stretch of Saxon town wall still standing in England, which visitors can walk right up to and examine. Just next to it, sections of the original Roman fortification are also preserved, placing two very different periods side by side in one spot.
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