The little waterside town of Topsham is a just a short train ride away from Exeter, so it seemed like the thing to do. It’s a very artsy town with cute little shops and some excellent dining options.
Getting off of the train, we were greeted by this little work of art. I had heard about the knitted or crocheted post box toppers before our trip to the UK and I knew I wanted to see every single one. You can see the care and planning that goes into each one of these. It’s absolutely darling!
If you like thrift and antique shopping, you don’t want to miss the Topsham Quay Antiques Centre near the port. It’s housed in a riverside warehouse spanning 9,000 square feet over three floors.
This particular trip our goal was to visit the Topsham Museum which we were told had one of the best cream teas in the area. The museum is housed in a late 17th century building with exhibits showcasing Topsham’s maritime history.
We were greeted by the friendliest man who gave us a brief history of the museum and then noticed Bodhi’s boredom so he introduced a scavenger hunt to play. Brilliant idea because we were then able to stroll through the rooms without the whining of a 7-year-old.
Once we had made our way through the museum, including my favorite displays from Vivien Leigh memorabilia, it was time to order our cream teas. The weather was spectacular so we opted to sit out in the garden. I have to agree, this was the best cream tea we had during our 10 months in Exeter. I think the garden and the super nice staff had a bit of an impact on that as well.
Strolling through the rest of Topsham was surreal. The cobblestone streets and waterfront views were just as charming as you might imagine.
A visit to Topsham is a must when in the area, but keep in mind that the museum is not open year round so plan ahead! We returned several times to enjoy the peaceful walks and try the amazing restaurants of this delightful little town.
Under the Bodhi Tree 