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In this episode of Your Places or Mine, Clive Aslet and John Goodall head west to Exeter Cathedral, one of England’s most distinctive medieval churches. From its extraordinary uninterrupted Gothic vault — the longest of its kind in the world — to its weathered towers and richly layered history, they explore how this cathedral grew, adapted and survived centuries of change. Along the way, they swap stories about bishops, builders and bold design choices, uncovering why Exeter feels so different from other English cathedrals — and why its quiet brilliance deserves closer attention.

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2025 celebrates the rebuilding of the Bank of England by Sir Herbert Baker – if celebrate is the right word. It remains one of the most controversial projects in 20th century architecture. Baker’s name has been irredeemably blackened for his presumption in destroying the Bank of England created by Sir John Soane a century before. Clive and John revive the debate, describing the history of this great symbol of British finance and might, asking whether Baker has had a fair press.
While Soane’s vanished interiors were a masterpiece, the financial operations of the British state had hugely expanded during the First World War. Baker admired Soane but what was he to do? The options were not favourable to conservation. Baker was himself a Classicist and saw himself as speaking the same language as Soane. Moreover, although a man of Empire, he was also – paradoxically perhaps – deeply committed to the Arts and Crafts Movement. His Bank of England became one of the greatest commissions for sculpture and the decorative arts of its time.
Baker’s reputation was blackened by his erstwhile friend Lutyens, with whom he fell over over New Delhi. Is now the time to redeem it?

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This is the time of year when thoughts turn to mince pies, Christmas shopping, mulled wine – and chimneys, whether it is to settle around a roaring hearth or hope that Father Christmas pays a visit. So John and Clive are turning their attention to the development of this architectural form, beginning with the appearance of walled fireplaces in the Norman period. Chimneys reached a zenith of fantasy under the Tudors, when astounding feats of decoration were achieved by means of the novel building material of brick. The invention of more efficient grates in the Georgian period led to another kind of design challenge, while the Victorians capped the countless chimneys which spread coal smoke over cities such as London with a myriad of pots and cowls. Which type of chimney is Santa’s favourite? As this episode of ypompod reveals, he is spoilt for choice.