The Cathedral Close is the precinct surrounding Exeter Cathedral — a quiet green space enclosed by medieval, Tudor, and Georgian buildings that has changed remarkably little in character over five centuries. The south side is dominated by the cathedral itself; the north side faces onto the High Street and contains some of the most interesting buildings.
Mol's Coffee House, at the corner of the close on Cathedral Yard, is an Elizabethan building that has been in continuous use since the 16th century. Its elaborately carved timber facade dates from the 1590s. It has served as a coffee house, a wine merchant, and various businesses over the centuries; today it houses a shop. The building is thought to have been a meeting place for Francis Drake and other Elizabethan sea captains preparing expeditions from Devon's ports.
The close also contains the Bishop's Palace and several medieval canon's residences. It is a genuinely pleasant place to sit and take in the cathedral's west front, especially in the early morning before the tourist coaches arrive.