Exmouth & Topsham History

Exmouth Museum

Exmouth Museum couldn’t be housed in a more fitting building. The museum occupies the former Council Stables and foreman’s cottage, and has the perfect atmosphere for exploring artefacts and displays from Exmouth’s history.

The museum includes children’s toys and belongings, a Victorian kitchen, antique lace, railway displays and much more. The building itself dates back to the 19 century. Exmouth Museum is also a great way to give children an idea of the history of Exmouth.

Allen-Williams Turret

A remarkable Allen-Williams Turret marks the site of the original entrance to Exmouth docks, and is one of just a handful of its kind remaining in the UK.

The turret would have been operated by two men from the Home Guard during its heyday in World War 2, and guns would have been fired from its front slot if needed to defend the Exmouth coastline.

The Exmouth coast was also protected by barbed wire fences which were created for the length of its beach. This ia a great example of Exmouth history.

Chester House

Behind the pretty façade of Chester House lies a fascinating past of romance and intrigue. Then called Manchester House, the building was home to Mary Anne Clarke (the famous mistress of the Duke of York) from 1804.

Rumour has it that Anne worked with the Duke (brother of the Prince Regent), making use of his status to sell appointments within the army. Anne lived well during her years in the town of Exmouth, although she met a sorry end in Paris where she died a death tinged with disgrace and poverty.

Dolforgan Court

Few could know the changes she would influence on the course of Exmouth history when Mrs Anne Hume Long arrived in Exmouth in 1875.

A resident at Dolforgan Court, Anne earned the nickname Mrs Bountiful during her time here and set up a hospital in Clarence Road in 1884.

She went on to found the Maud Hospital and the Hope Orphanage in 1886 – both of which were in Bicton Street. When she died in 1899, Mrs Long’s son added to the legacy and opened Exmouth Hospital, founded in 1902.

Nelson House

Another building linked to scandal in the history of Exmouth is Nelson House. Nelson House, also known as number 6 The Beacon, can be dated back to the end of the 18 century when the terrace was built and houses a famous slice of Exmouth history.

The house was occupied by Lady Nelson from 1801, and it was said to have been her retreat during his public affair with Lady Hamilton. The scandal captured the imaginations of the public, and has since been the subject of many a play and film. Lady Nelson died in the year 1831, and was buried in a Littleham churchyard.