The Legend of the Custom House

Allum and Almonds… Bark, Bells and Brush Heads… Coal, Drain Pipes, Frying Pans… Wine, Wool and Yarn Wick. What exactly are the things that were listed on the 1829 Toll Table in the Custom House nearly 200 years ago and why were they arriving here? Some of them are clear but some of them seem like the ingredients of long-forgotten magic potions… what were they used for and why should they mean anything to us now? 

This ‘alchemical’ new installation that explores the mysteries of the 1829 Toll Table through a mixture of history, fact and imagination. Objects, images and sounds presented in different spaces of the Custom House have been collected and developed with community workshop participants from across Exeter, and assembled from interviews with local people. 

Please bring your smart phone and headphones to access the exhibition audio stream. A limited amount of headsets and players will be available on request for people who need them.

‘The Legend of the Custom House’ is an Art Work Exeter project developed as part of their Cultural Partnership with the Exeter Custom House 2023-26. Made with support from Exeter Canal and Quay Trust, Arts Council England – Lottery Funded and Exeter City Council.