Geograph - photograph every grid square

The majority of the building of the Cathedral church of Saint Peter as seen today was commenced in 1275 and externally is mostly of the Decorated period of Gothic architecture (c.1250-1350), though its foundations go back to Saxon times and there are substantial Norman and Early English parts. The Decorated period is itself split into two sub-periods, the earlier "geometric" sub-period (1250-1290) and the later "curvilinear" (1290-1350). Exeter Cathedral exhibits both these styles, but rather more from the former period despite its construction continuing well into the latter one. In general the eastern half of the building containing the Quire, Presbytery and Lady Chapel is from the early Decorated, while the nave is mostly of the later period, though the windows seen on the southern side of the nave abutting the Silent Cloister look more Geometric than Curvilinear to me.
The towers which rise above both transepts however exhibit Romanesque features such as semi-circular topped blind arcading. Romanesque architecture dates from the Norman period (c.1070-1180) so are part of the earlier minster built on this site by the Normans.
Exeter's greatest feature is probably its marvellously ornate West Front which is covered in statuary. This is one of the finest surviving examples of Decorated architecture in Britain. Unfortunately at the time of writing (June 2012) much of this glory is covered in the ugliest conceivable tatty garish wrapping, no doubt to protect it from the elements while repairs are carried out.
Internally the ceiling of the nave is "palm vaulted" typical of the transition from the Decorated to the Perpendicular period.
A surprisingly brief EH listing can be found here Link
A detailed pdf map of the Cathedral area here Link