Topsham, Devon
Encyclopedia
Topsham is a suburb of Exeter
in the county of Devon
, England
, on the east side of the River Exe
, immediately north of its confluence with the River Clyst
and the former's estuary, between Exeter
and Exmouth
. Although village-sized, with a current population of around 5,023, it was designated a town by a 1300 royal charter, until the Exeter urban district was formed. It is served by Topsham railway station
.
(Exeter) in the first century AD, and continued to serve it until the Roman occupation southern Britain ceased about the year 400. In the 7th century the Saxon
rule in East Devon saw the settlement grow into a considerable village.
St Margaret
's Church in Topsham, part of the Church of England, dates back to the 10th Century. Although reconstructed several times, it remains in its original location as granted in 937 by King Athelstan, who gave "a parcel of land, i.e. a manse, which the vulgar called Toppesham, to the monastery Church of St Mary and St Peter in Exeter, for the cure of his soul, to have in eternal freedom so long as the Christian Church shall endure."
Topsham's position, offering a sheltered harbour to seagoing trade enabled it to thrive as a port, a centre for both fishing and shipbuilding. Notable ships such as HMS Terror
(part of Franklin's lost expedition
) and HMS Cyane
(later known as USS Cyane after capture by the American Navy) were built here in the early 19th century. The town was the scene of a notable Parliamentarian naval assault during the English Civil War
.
There are many Dutch style houses in Topsham dating from the time when Topsham was an important cotton port. Many of Topsham's houses are built using Dutch bricks, which were brought over as ballast from Holland - to where the wool and cotton from South-West England had been exported.
Formerly a major seaport, the town is now of interest for its architecture, scenery and proximity to nature reserve
s for wading and migrating birds, such as RSPB Bowling Green Marsh on the Exe Estuary
, the whole of which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest
(SSSI).
Topsham Museum is located in one of a set of 17th century buildings looking out over the Exe Estuary
. It consists of furnished period rooms, displays of the local history of the town and memorabilia of Vivien Leigh
, the film star.
The students of nearby Exeter University
and Rolle College know the town as the home of the "Topsham Ten", a pub-crawl of ten pubs in a little over a mile.
, the noted lawyer and parliamentarian, was born here in 1796. Thomas Hardy's cousin, Tryphena Sparks
, who was the inspiration for Hardy's poem Thoughts of Phena at News of Her Death lived here and is buried here. She was known locally for the charitable work she did for the local fishermen. Dick Pym
, the footballer, was born here in 1893; he was a goalkeeper in the first Wembley FA Cup Final
in 1923, and died in Exeter in 1988, aged 95. The newsreader, Trevor McDonald
, is a past resident of the town, and both members of the folk group Show of Hands
live in Topsham. Novelist Philip Hensher
also lives here. His 2011 book 'King of the Badgers' is set in a fictional town based on Topsham.
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
in the county of Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, on the east side of the River Exe
River Exe
The River Exe in England rises near the village of Simonsbath, on Exmoor in Somerset, near the Bristol Channel coast, but flows more or less directly due south, so that most of its length lies in Devon. It reaches the sea at a substantial ria, the Exe Estuary, on the south coast of Devon...
, immediately north of its confluence with the River Clyst
River Clyst
The River Clyst is a river of England. The river runs through the county of Devon.Rising near the village of Clyst William near Cullompton, the river runs west and southwest, flowing through the settlements of Norman's Green, Plymtree, Clyst Hydon, Clyst St...
and the former's estuary, between Exeter
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
and Exmouth
Exmouth, Devon
Exmouth is a port town, civil parish and seaside resort in East Devon, England, sited on the east bank of the mouth of the River Exe. In 2001, it had a population of 32,972.-History:...
. Although village-sized, with a current population of around 5,023, it was designated a town by a 1300 royal charter, until the Exeter urban district was formed. It is served by Topsham railway station
Topsham railway station
Topsham railway station is the railway station serving the town of Topsham in the English county of Devon. It is the passing place for the otherwise single-track branch line from Exmouth Junction to Exmouth...
.
History
The native Celtic settlement of Topsham became the port of the Roman city of Isca DumnoniorumIsca Dumnoniorum
Isca Dumnoniorum was a town in the Roman province of Britannia and the capital of Dumnonia in the sub-Roman period. Today it is known as Exeter, located in the English county of Devon.-Fortress:...
(Exeter) in the first century AD, and continued to serve it until the Roman occupation southern Britain ceased about the year 400. In the 7th century the Saxon
Saxons
The Saxons were a confederation of Germanic tribes originating on the North German plain. The Saxons earliest known area of settlement is Northern Albingia, an area approximately that of modern Holstein...
rule in East Devon saw the settlement grow into a considerable village.
St Margaret
Margaret the Virgin
Margaret the Virgin, also known as Margaret of Antioch , virgin and martyr, is celebrated as a saint by the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches on July 20; and on July 17 in the Orthodox Church. Her historical existence has been questioned; she was declared apocryphal by Pope Gelasius I in 494,...
's Church in Topsham, part of the Church of England, dates back to the 10th Century. Although reconstructed several times, it remains in its original location as granted in 937 by King Athelstan, who gave "a parcel of land, i.e. a manse, which the vulgar called Toppesham, to the monastery Church of St Mary and St Peter in Exeter, for the cure of his soul, to have in eternal freedom so long as the Christian Church shall endure."
Topsham's position, offering a sheltered harbour to seagoing trade enabled it to thrive as a port, a centre for both fishing and shipbuilding. Notable ships such as HMS Terror
HMS Terror (1813)
HMS Terror was a bomb vessel designed by Sir Henry Peake and constructed by the Royal Navy in the Davy shipyard in Topsham, Devon. The ship, variously listed as being of either 326 or 340 tons, carried two mortars, one and one .-War service:...
(part of Franklin's lost expedition
Franklin's lost expedition
Franklin's lost expedition was a doomed British voyage of Arctic exploration led by Captain Sir John Franklin that departed England in 1845. A Royal Navy officer and experienced explorer, Franklin had served on three previous Arctic expeditions, the latter two as commanding officer...
) and HMS Cyane
HMS Cyane (1806)
HMS Cyane was a Royal Navy Banterer-class sixth-rate post ship of nominally 22 guns, built in 1806 at Topsham, near Exeter, England. She was ordered in January 1805 as HMS Columbine but renamed Cyane on 6 December of that year...
(later known as USS Cyane after capture by the American Navy) were built here in the early 19th century. The town was the scene of a notable Parliamentarian naval assault during the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
.
There are many Dutch style houses in Topsham dating from the time when Topsham was an important cotton port. Many of Topsham's houses are built using Dutch bricks, which were brought over as ballast from Holland - to where the wool and cotton from South-West England had been exported.
Today
Nature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
s for wading and migrating birds, such as RSPB Bowling Green Marsh on the Exe Estuary
Exe Estuary
The Exe Estuary is an estuary on the south coast of Devon, England.The estuary starts just to the south of the city of Exeter, and extends south for approximately eight miles to meet the English Channel...
, the whole of which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest
Site of Special Scientific Interest
A Site of Special Scientific Interest is a conservation designation denoting a protected area in the United Kingdom. SSSIs are the basic building block of site-based nature conservation legislation and most other legal nature/geological conservation designations in Great Britain are based upon...
(SSSI).
Topsham Museum is located in one of a set of 17th century buildings looking out over the Exe Estuary
Exe Estuary
The Exe Estuary is an estuary on the south coast of Devon, England.The estuary starts just to the south of the city of Exeter, and extends south for approximately eight miles to meet the English Channel...
. It consists of furnished period rooms, displays of the local history of the town and memorabilia of Vivien Leigh
Vivien Leigh
Vivien Leigh, Lady Olivier was an English actress. She won the Best Actress Academy Award for her portrayal of Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire , a role she also played on stage in London's West End, as well as for her portrayal of the southern belle Scarlett O'Hara, alongside Clark...
, the film star.
The students of nearby Exeter University
University of Exeter
The University of Exeter is a public university in South West England. It belongs to the 1994 Group, an association of 19 of the United Kingdom's smaller research-intensive universities....
and Rolle College know the town as the home of the "Topsham Ten", a pub-crawl of ten pubs in a little over a mile.
Pronunciation
There is some difference of opinion on the correct pronunciation of the town. Generally it is referred to as 'topshum' /'tɔpʃʌm/ with the sh sounded as in shoe. Local pronunciation amongst older native Devonians, however, is 'topsum' /'tɔpsəm/ with the s being sounded as in some and the -ham suffix being reduced to um.Sport
Topsham's local football club is Topsham Town AFC a non-league side in Devon. They are managed by Danny Carpenter.Notable residents
William Webb FollettWilliam Webb Follett
Sir William Webb Follett , was an English lawyer and politician.-Background and education:Follett was born at Topsham in Devon, the son of Captain Benjamin Follett, who had retired from the army in 1790 and gone into business, and his wife Ann Webb, daughter of John Webb. His younger brother was...
, the noted lawyer and parliamentarian, was born here in 1796. Thomas Hardy's cousin, Tryphena Sparks
Tryphena Sparks
Tryphena Sparks , born in Puddletown, Dorset, the youngest child of James and Maria Sparks, was Thomas Hardy's cousin and possible lover. She was the inspiration for Hardy's poem Thoughts of Phena at News of Her Death....
, who was the inspiration for Hardy's poem Thoughts of Phena at News of Her Death lived here and is buried here. She was known locally for the charitable work she did for the local fishermen. Dick Pym
Dick Pym
Richard Henry Pym was a football player best known for being the Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper at the first ever FA Cup final to be played at Wembley Stadium in 1923.The game, known as the White Horse Final because of the presence of a mounted white police horse at the helm of the...
, the footballer, was born here in 1893; he was a goalkeeper in the first Wembley FA Cup Final
1923 FA Cup Final
The 1923 FA Cup Final was a football match between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United on 28 April 1923 at the original Wembley Stadium in London. The showpiece match of English football's primary cup competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup , it was the first football match to be...
in 1923, and died in Exeter in 1988, aged 95. The newsreader, Trevor McDonald
Trevor McDonald
Sir Trevor McDonald OBE is a Trinidadian-British newsreader and journalist. He had a long career as a news presenter with ITN...
, is a past resident of the town, and both members of the folk group Show of Hands
Show of Hands
Show of Hands is an English acoustic roots and folk duo comprising singer-songwriter Steve Knightley and multi-instrumentalist Phil Beer. In recent years they have been accompanied on tour and in the studio by jazz double-bassist Miranda Sykes.-Origins:...
live in Topsham. Novelist Philip Hensher
Philip Hensher
Philip Michael Hensher FRSL is an English novelist, critic and journalist.Hensher was born in South London, although he spent the majority of his childhood and adolescence in Sheffield, attending Tapton School. He did his undergraduate degree at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford before attending...
also lives here. His 2011 book 'King of the Badgers' is set in a fictional town based on Topsham.
External links
- Topsham town page
- The port of Topsham Exeter City Council page
- Topsham Museum page
- St Margaret's Church (Topsham) page