The Knowhere Guide

Best and Worst in Topsham, Devon*

Topsham, Devon Triumphs and Tragedies

Favourite Building

• topsham fire station
• The Bridge: folksy real ale pub, the kind where it's like going into someone's sitting room, with a beautiful back room like a barn full of sofas.

Demolish It Now Building

• none tradition is good fresh air
• strand court
• Strand Court: modern maisonette-style blocks that somehow got built right in the middle of the Dutch-style conservation area.

The Best Things

• THe strand, the goat walk ,the view from the church yard ,over the ex.THe railway level crossing over th exmouth road.
• fresh air views of the exe.near to exeter north and exmouth southLike by bus or train.
• community spirit and putting up with the 2 fire engines constantly racing off.
• Beautiful River Exe scenery; ease of access to Exeter (good rail and bus transport); many and varied pubs in a remarkably small area; all shops and amenities close; old-fashioned friendly and safe atmosphere, where you can leave your doors unlocked when you go out. Nice bird sanctuary. Country and river walks. Bloody good second-hand bookshop. People generally friendly. Lots of live music. Excellent community festivals: an annual carnival and maritime festival.

The Worst Things

• The shops close too early in the evening.
• The high cost of life in devon.
• Topsham Fire Station
• nothing for teenagers to do.
• Small-town social cliques! Devon Life described Topsham as "not so much unspoilt but carefully tarted up to maintain a folksy atmosphere". Slow rot of amenities, as useful shops and businesses are driven out by encroaching charity and antique shops. Restrictive planning permission rules (many houses are listed buildings, and wor betide anyone who wants to do anything popular like open a curry restaurant). Very selective conservation campaigns only apply only to the posh end of town. Noise from the M5 bridge over the river.

The Knowhere Guide started out as a list of places to skateboard in the UK. It is a compilation of (unedited) information and views supplied by users like yourself. It is not a conventional tourist guide!

In most cases, the information in each section has been submitted by more than one contributor (the credits at the bottom of the page list some, but not all, of the contributors) and some of it dates back to the 1970s.

We make no claims as to the accuracy of the information in the Guide - our only purpose is to provide a forum for users to share their knowledge and opinions. So please keep a large bag of salt handy and be prepared to read between the lines!

If you disagree with a comment, or information is out of date, please submit an update! The contributors come from all walks of life, and their opinions are bound to be subjective, so if your view isn't represented, please speak up and contribute to the balance of the Guide. See below in the 'Have Your Say' section for how to add your voice.

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Have Your Say...

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Credits

Last updated: 2006-11-08