Our Town
The small, ancient market town of Axminster is situated on the River Axe in the east of Devon. It is famous for its carpets. These were originally designed by Thomas Whitty in 1775, in a manner similar to Turkish carpets. Caster Hill House, where the carpets were then produced, can still be seen. The carpets were of the highest quality, custom made carpets for the country’s stately homes and mansions. The manufacturing process can still be seen today by visitors to the Axminster carpet factory.
Axminster’s origins date back to Celtic times and it is thought to have been first settled around 300 BC. The Saxon church of St Mary stands on Minster Green in the centre of town. It has an interesting Norman door and a Jacobean pulpit.
The town has many interesting and attractive streets radiating out from the town square and the Minster church of St Nicholas. Axminster is an unspoilt Devon market town, surrounded by beautiful countryside and filled with charm and character.
The town is also famous for Jaffe et fils makers of military plumes and latterly for Hugh Fearnley – Whittingstall of “River Cottage” TV fame, whose headquarters are in the town in Milton’s Courtyard. Weekly market stalls offer a wide selection of produce.
With excellent rail links to London and Exeter, Axminster is a very popular town with Lyme Regis resort with its Jurassic Coastline continuing towards Seaton and the fossil beach of Charmouth Dorset a short drive away.
Also in Axminster and neighbouring Buckfast are the Axminster Carpets factory outlets. These sell seconds and discontinued lines from Axminster Carpets and from its Irish subsidiary, Curragh Carpets, as well as a variety of rugs, sheepskins and underlay.
The Factory Outlet – Axminster
Musbury Road
Axminster
Devon
EX13 8TJ
The Factory Outlet – Buckfast
Lower Mills
Buckfast
Devon
TQ11 0EB
