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Axminster, Devon, England: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Castle_Hill,_Axminster_-_geograph.org.uk_-_440495.jpgAuthor: Derek Harper
Axminster is a market town on the eastern border of Devon, England. Situated on a hill overlooking the River Axe in East Devon, it has a population of around 5,600 people (2012 estimate).
The history of Axminster goes back to Celtic times, around 300 BC. During the Roman period, the Romans built a fort in the area. Two Roman roads also passed through the area. Axminster appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Aixeministra, meaning "minster on the River Axe".
Axminster was granted a market charter, given it the right to hold a weekly cattle market in the market square. The cattle market was held at various locations before finally closing down in 2006 following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. There is still a regular market being held in Axminster every Thursday.
The town of Axminster is famous for producing carpets. Its very name has been given to type of high quality carpets that were first produced there, but now manufactured all over the world. The carpet industry was founded by Thomas Whitty in the 18th century.
Visiting Axminster
From Manchester take the M5 motorway to Junction 25, then continue east on the A358 road until arriving at Axminster.
Shute Barton: Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Shute_Barton_Gatehouse_December_2010.JPGAuthor: Throwawayhack
Places of Interest in Axminster
- Axminster Museum: Town museum located opposite St Mary's Church. It showcases examples of carpets, agricultural tools, archaeological finds and other artifacts.
- Blackdown Hills: A range of hills on the Somerset-Devon border.
- East Devon Way: Long distance footpath running 38 miles from Exmouth to Lyme Regis.
- Forde Abbey: Former Cistercian monastery, now a Grade I listed private property turned into a tourist attraction.
- Jurassic Coast: Rugged coastline of southern England, recognized as a World Heritage Site.
- Lambert's Castle: Iron Age hill fort in neighboring Dorset.
- Loughwood Meeting House: Historic Baptist chapel in the village of Dalwood, Devon.
- Musbury Castle: Iron Age hill fort above the village of Musbury, Devon.
- Shute Barton: One of the most important non-fortified manor houses of the Middle Ages still in existence.
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