Topsham, Devon

Topsham is a small town in Devon, England. It is located on the eastern shore of the mouth of the Exe between Exeter and Exmouth and had according to the census of 2001 5.023 inhabitants.

The Celtic settlement of Topsham (now Exeter) and retained this role until the Romans withdrew after the Roman invasion of Britain in the first century after Christ to the city of Isca Dumnoniorum harbor against 400 from the south of England. In the 7th century the settlement under the Saxon rule grew in the east Devon to a village of considerable size.

Although it only had the population of a village, Topsham was awarded by Royal Statute of 1300 the municipal law. Today, the site is officially a suburb of Exeter. Topshams location that offers a sheltered bay for sea trade, allowed a flower as a port and as a center of fishing and shipbuilding. In the English Civil War, an attack of the Navy of parliamentarians took place here.

The appeal of former major seaport located today in the architecture, the landscape and the proximity to nature reserves for shorebirds and migratory birds at the mouth of the Exe, a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

In Topsham, there are many houses in the Dutch style, which originate from Topshams heyday as a cotton port. Many of the houses in Topsham were built with Dutch bricks, which came as ballast with Dutch ships, wool and cotton from South West England exported.

The Museum of Topsham is located in one of several buildings of the 17th century, overlooking the Exe Estuary. In addition to the stylishly furnished rooms and exhibits of local history and memorabilia of the actress Vivien Leigh can be visited. The museum is open from April to October.

The St Margaret 's Church, the Church of England belongs, dates back to the 10th century. Although it was built multiple new over the centuries, the 937 by King Æthelstan fixed place always remained the same.