Devon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>Few towns have as many thriving indie stores and eateries as Topsham &#8211; or as older Devon&#8217;ers call it – <em>Topsum</em>. Add the charming period properties, estuary location and thriving community, and it&#8217;s easy to see why the townsfolk have created its very own CIC to oversee it all, <a aria-label="Love Topsham (opens in a new tab)" href="https://lovetopsham.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Love Topsham</a>. Run entirely by devoted locals, they&#8217;ve compiled a <a href="https://lovetopsham.co.uk/2021/08/14/fit-right-in-the-topsham-intel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">friendly guide to fitting in</a> – should you decide to move here. Assets like Topsham&#8217;s might not come cheap, but a raft of classy new property in the increasingly less gappy &#8216;Topsham Gap&#8217; is adding to the housing stock &#8211; meaning now is a good time get a look-in.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1280" height="1600" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/mesita-2.jpg" alt="Mesita Topsham " class="wp-image-78291" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/mesita-2.jpg 1280w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/mesita-2-640x800.jpg 640w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/mesita-2-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/mesita-2-768x960.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/mesita-2-1229x1536.jpg 1229w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



<p>Topsham has plenty of nightlife (if not the noisy nightclub kind), although <a href="https://www.topshamfirestation.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Old Firestation</a> is creating a vibrant Friday night scene with its tap room and street food pop-ups, as is <a href="https://mesita.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mesita</a> (above), a new Basque-inspired tapas bar practically next door. The Michelin-approved <a aria-label="The Salutation Inn (opens in a new tab)" href="https://salutationtopsham.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Salutation Inn</a> is good for airy lunches under glass and their wet fish deli, while the seafood eatery, <a aria-label="The Galley (opens in a new tab)" href="http://www.galleyrestaurant.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Galley</a> holds a Michelin Plate, and <a aria-label="Denleys Essence of India (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.denleysessenceofindia.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Denleys Essence of India</a> regularly takes the title of Asian Restaurant of The Year. Just a pint and a plate by the estuary you&#8217;re after? Hotfoot it (or pedal the cycle route) to <a aria-label="The Passage House (opens in a new tab)" href="http://www.passagehouseinntopsham.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Passage House</a> or the St Austell Brewery local <a href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&amp;rls=en&amp;q=the+glpbe+topsham&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;oe=UTF-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Globe</a>, while <a href="https://www.boathousetopsham.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Boathouse</a> do amazing crêpes, and <a href="https://southwestpizza.co" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The South West Pizza Company</a> serve up al fresco on the quayside in summer.</p>



<p>By day, you&#8217;re spoilt for cafés, whether you fancy a pastel del nata from French/Portugese café, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Saraspetitecuisine?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sara&#8217;s Petite Cuisine</a> or to buy a house plant with your brew from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/circleshoptopsham" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Circle</a>. There&#8217;s also an excellent new gelato, chocolate and cake place, <a href="https://www.cocolato.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cocolato</a> just opened this spring, and a new kids&#8217; waffle bar, Topsham Treats.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/09/rare-pear.jpg" alt="Rare Pear boutique Topsham Devon " class="wp-image-80318" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/09/rare-pear.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/09/rare-pear-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/09/rare-pear-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/09/rare-pear-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Topsham&#8217;s Fore Street is full of brilliant indie stores and home to National Muddy Award 2024 winner, <a href="https://www.squidandthekid.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Squid &amp; the Kid</a>, who scooped the prize for their curated quality kids&#8217; clothes, toys and new mum gift range. There&#8217;s also the brilliant <a href="https://www.sailsandcanvas.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sails &amp; Canvas</a>, who re-purpose old sailcloth and turn it into cool beach bags and homeware. </p>



<p>For clothes and jewellery, boho and Scandi style from Penny at <a aria-label="Siena Boutique (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.sienaboutique.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Siena Boutique</a> and the wonderful new <a href="https://www.rarepear.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rare Pear</a> (above), who make their own leather goods and stock far-too-tempting French and Californian designer garb. We also rate <a href="https://nestliving.net/about/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nest</a> for pre-loved clothes, <a href="https://www.pawsomepawsboutique.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pawsome</a> for outdoor gear and pet supplies, and <a href="http://cooksaweigh.weebly.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cooks Aweigh</a> for cool kitchen essentials and homeware. <a href="https://coralineskincare.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coraline Skincare</a> hand-make fabulous no-nasties vegan and organic soap and skincare inspired by a need to find something which would suit their daughter&#8217;s sensitive skin. </p>



<p>Food-wise, your wicker basket will overflow with local produce, from the Co-op, the greengrocer, two wine shops, a butchers, a wet fish stall and the brilliant <a aria-label="Country Cheeses (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.facebook.com/Country-Cheeses-of-Tavistock-Topsham-and-Totnes-139343356120257/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Country Cheeses</a>. We could go on…</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/09/moon-swim.jpg" alt="Moon Swim at Topsham Lido Devon " class="wp-image-80324" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/09/moon-swim.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/09/moon-swim-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/09/moon-swim-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/09/moon-swim-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>There are two doctors surgeries, Holman Way and Glasshouse medical centres, and a private dentist, along with a chiropractic practice. You can also access counselling, along with <a href="https://lovetopsham.co.uk/2021/02/09/topsham-ways-to-wellbeing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alternative therapies</a>, including reiki, physiotherapy, podiatry and acupuncture right in town. For new mums, Nook at Squid &amp; the Kid is a sweet little role-play café (soon to be mobile hub) where parents and grandparents meet for coffee and Pip’s famous banana cake, live music and table crafts.</p>



<p>The town’s 25m <a href="https://topshampool.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">outdoor lido</a>, which is run by volunteers, is a hub for community and wellbeing – a hidden wellbeing gem with a 6am Nutters Club, and summertime moonlit swims (above).&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>It&#8217;s a super-friendly town, enhanced by all the indie business owners who keep the calendar packed with seasonal events &#8211; from Christmas lights and parades, to the Nello cycle ride, held in memory of a much-loved local. Though you might not fancy the 100-mile pedal there&#8217;s also the town&#8217;s hot annual ticket, <a href="https://lovetopsham.co.uk/events/nellos-longest-table-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nello’s Longest Table</a>, when trestles stretch from one end of Topsham to the other for a mass street party where everyone brings a dish.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1201" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/Exterior-of-A-La-Ronde-Devon-©National-Trust-ImagesJaron-James.jpg" alt="Exterior of A La Ronde, Devon. A unique 16-sided house filled with the treasures from two women." class="wp-image-68710" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/Exterior-of-A-La-Ronde-Devon-©National-Trust-ImagesJaron-James.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/Exterior-of-A-La-Ronde-Devon-©National-Trust-ImagesJaron-James-800x641.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/Exterior-of-A-La-Ronde-Devon-©National-Trust-ImagesJaron-James-1000x801.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/Exterior-of-A-La-Ronde-Devon-©National-Trust-ImagesJaron-James-768x615.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">National Trust A La Ronde </figcaption></figure>



<p>The theatres, cathedral, university, shops and bars of Exeter are 10 mins down the road, where you&#8217;ll also find IKEA and <a aria-label="Exeter Golf and Country Club (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.exetergcc.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Exeter Golf and Country Club</a> with its pools and spa, and award-winning Farm Shop, <a href="https://www.dartsfarm.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Darts Farm</a>. Not only does it boast a brilliant new eatery and al fresco bar, there&#8217;s a Fired Earth concession, hair salon and gift shops.</p>



<p>It&#8217;s all go for outdoorsy types and twitchers, with boating, paddleboarding and kayaking on the estuary, the <a aria-label="Exe Estuary Trail  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.exploredevon.info/activities/cycle/exe-estuary-trail/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Exe Estuary Trail </a>, a flat 16-mile route, plus tennis courts, bowling and sailing clubs and an outdoor swimming pool. Two ferries to and fro across the River Exe, should you fancy a waterside pint at <a href="https://the-turf.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Turf</a> or a cycle along the other side of the estuary. Exmouth, 6 miles away, has a two-mile long golden beach and excellent watersports.</p>



<p>Devon’s quirkiest National Trust property is also nearby – the 16-sided&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/a-la-ronde" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">À la Ronde</a>&nbsp;full of curios collected by two well-travelled Victorian sisters.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p>With Exeter on the doorstep, you won&#8217;t be short of live music and shows, from the the cit&#8217;s flagship <a href="https://exeternorthcott.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Exeter Northcott Theatre</a>, to multi-arts hub <a href="https://exeterphoenix.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Exeter Phoenix</a> and the <a href="https://www.exetercornexchange.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Corn Exchange</a>. Closer to home, <a href="https://topshammuseum.org.uk">Topsham Museum</a> dives into its maritime past &#8211; and is just as visit-worthy for its tea room and pretty estuary-side gardens.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>It&#8217;s steep! You won&#8217;t get much change from £592,00 for a terrace and the historic Dutch houses along The Strand go for more than twice that amount. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/10/elmgrove-topsham.jpeg" alt="4-bed property for sale in Topsham " class="wp-image-80615" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/10/elmgrove-topsham.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/10/elmgrove-topsham-800x450.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/10/elmgrove-topsham-1000x563.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/10/elmgrove-topsham-768x432.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://www.clarkandcoestates.com/property/elm-grove-road-topsham/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Four-bed family home </a>with lovely river views calling! Yours for £1,850,000 from Clark &amp; Co Estates </figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>For littlies, Topsham Primary is rated Good by Ofsted or there is the outstanding&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stpetersprep.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Peter&#8217;s Prep</a>&nbsp;independent prep school in nearby Lympstone. A bus goes daily to the selective independent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.exeterschool.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Exeter School</a>&nbsp;from Darts Farm, just  down the road at Topsham. <a aria-label="Isca Academy (opens in a new tab)" href="https://iscaexeter.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Isca Academy</a>, on Exeter Road, was rated Good by Oftsed in 2022 and is the state school of choice for local creatives.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p>The popular nursery, <a href="https://www.littleducklingstopsham.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Ducklings</a> has expanded to include baby rooms in the local church and another premise for pre-schoolers, and offers wraparound care. If you want to get them settled into the local school early, Topsham Primary offer morning, afternoon and all-day sessions for children from 3 years into <a href="https://topsham.devon.sch.uk/pupil-zone/reception/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Acorns</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>The creator of <em>Peppa Pig</em> lives here and former newsreader, Sir Trevor Macdonald MBE has owned a home here for years (and Muddy knows because we once spotted him on The Strand). People often refer to Topsham as a village, but it doesn&#8217;t go down well with locals. Despite its quaintness, it&#8217;s proud to be a town.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>For London, the half-hourly&nbsp;Avocet Line&nbsp;takes 19 mins to Exeter St Davids. From Exeter St Davids, it’s 2hrs 10mins to Paddington or closer to 3 hrs from Exeter Central to London Waterloo. The M5 at Junction 30 is two miles away. </p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/">Top 260 Places to Live</a>.&nbsp;</em></p>


Topsham

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