{"id":528380,"date":"2025-10-26T04:24:17","date_gmt":"2025-10-26T04:24:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/528380\/"},"modified":"2025-10-26T04:24:17","modified_gmt":"2025-10-26T04:24:17","slug":"the-devon-town-that-looks-like-its-been-plucked-straight-out-of-europe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/528380\/","title":{"rendered":"The Devon town that looks like it’s been plucked straight out of Europe"},"content":{"rendered":"

Its packed with cafes and shops \u2014 and there’s plenty to do both in town and beyond<\/p>\n

Vita Molyneux<\/strong> Travel reporter<\/p>\n

04:00, 26 Oct 2025<\/p>\n

\"AnThis charming town is worth a visit(Image: Wirestock via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Nestled on the banks of the Exe Estuary, you’ll find a quaint town that appears to have been plucked straight from the heart of Europe.<\/a> With its tall, narrow buildings featuring curved gables, Topsham in Devon<\/a> bears a striking resemblance to the architecture found in Holland.<\/p>\n

Topsham’s history as a port town is deeply intertwined with its unique aesthetic. The town served as a key transport hub for Devon’s wool, which was shipped to the Netherlands.<\/p>\n

This maritime connection influenced the development of the European-style architecture that the town is now renowned for.<\/p>\n

The practice of using Dutch bricks as ballast in returning merchant ships inspired local builders to emulate the distinctive Dutch style in their constructions.<\/p>\n

But Topsham offers more than just picturesque buildings. The charming streets are lined with artisan shops and cafes, reports the Express<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"LowTopsham is nestled alongside the estuary(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n

According to Muddy Stilettos, the town boasts some of the finest retail and dining establishments in the country.<\/p>\n

For a truly indulgent dining experience, The Michelin-approved Salutation Inn serves up dishes that are as visually appealing as they are delicious.<\/p>\n

If you’re in the mood for coffee and cake, Circle is an excellent choice. You might even find a piece of local art that catches your eye.<\/p>\n

If you’re still craving more after visiting Circle, Muddy Stilettos recommends exploring some of Topsham’s delightful retailers. Squid and Kid offer children’s clothing, while Nest is a must-visit for those who appreciate pre-loved fashion.<\/p>\n

\"AutumnThe river Exe makes for a lovely walk(Image: Lindsay Hall via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

For those who prefer the allure of nature over retail therapy, Topsham offers a wealth of outdoor activities. The town is surrounded by picturesque walking trails.<\/p>\n

For the more adventurous, the Exe Estuary path to Exmouth<\/a> is a must-try. This relatively short walk takes approximately 40 minutes one way.<\/p>\n

Upon reaching Exmouth, you can opt to return to Topsham by train or continue exploring the beauty of Devon.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Its packed with cafes and shops \u2014 and there’s plenty to do both in town and beyond Vita…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":528381,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5174],"tags":[90890,2000,299,5187,41354,8082,246,77809],"class_list":{"0":"post-528380","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-eu","8":"tag-barnstaple","9":"tag-eu","10":"tag-europe","11":"tag-european","12":"tag-exmouth","13":"tag-harry-potter","14":"tag-shopping","15":"tag-things-to-do-in-devon"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115438569130934644","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/528380","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=528380"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/528380\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/528381"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=528380"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=528380"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=528380"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}