Dates

• Existence: 1773 - 1829

Biography

The Royal Exeter Menagerie was a menagerie in the Exeter Exchange building on the Strand in London. The menagerie occupied the upper floors of the building from 1773 until its demolition in 1829.

The Exeter Exchange was built in 1676 as a multipurpose building holding shops, a bank, offices and being used as storage at various stages. From 1773 a menagerie displaying caged wild animals similar to the one at the Tower of London was established on the upper floors by showman Thomas Clark. The menagerie became a popular attraction and overtime was owned by another three showmen. In 1793 it was purchased by Gilbert Pidcock and in 1810 by Polito, both of whom operated travelling circuses and used the menagerie not only as a business but also as winter quarters and to train the animals that appeared in their circuses. The last menagerie owner was Edward Cross, who took over the business after Polito’s death in 1814. Cross renamed the menagerie the Royal Grand National Menagerie and continued displaying at the Strand until the building was demolished in 1829. The animals were then moved to Cross’ newly formed Surrey Zoological Gardens and the newly stablished London Zoo.

The menagerie was a popular attraction, visited by famous authors and artists who took inspiration in the animals, such as Wordsworth, Lord Byron, Edwin Landseer and Jacques-Laurent Agasse.

An infamous incident at the menagerie was the killing of elephant Chunee, which was put down by soldiers from Somerset House in 1826 after becoming aggressive.

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