Exminster

Exminster is a village situated on the southern edge of the City of Exeter on the western side of the Exeter ship canal and River Exe in the county of Devon, England. It is around 6 km (3.7 mi) south of the centre of Exeter, and has a population of 3,084 (census 2001), increasing to 3,368 at the 2011 census.

Exminster is an ancient village associated with a Saxon minster or religious community, founded here in the 8th century. and left by King Alfred the Great to his youngest son Aethelweard in his will of 889. In the 14th century, it was the seat of the Courtenay family, the Earls of Devon. William Courtenay, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1381 to 1396, was born here.

Exminster is a major part of the electoral ward of Kenn Valley. Its population at the above census was 5,906 Exminster Marshes, to the east of the village, are a major site for birds, especially migratory ones including the rare cirl bunting.

The present parish church of Saint Martin of Tours is a Grade I listed building and was built in the late 14th and 15th centuries in the Perpendicular style. It was heavily restored in 1841 and again in 1852. It has a large three-storied tower with a polygonal stair turret. Inside, the Peamore chapel has a plaster ceiling dated 1633, depicting the Twelve Apostles and the Four Evangelists, scenes of the Nativity, Christ carrying the cross and the Resurrection. There is also a notable monument to Otho Petre of Bowhay who died in 1607. The churchyard contains the war graves of eight British service personnel of World War I - the first and highest ranking being Major General Robert Kekewich - and three of World War II.

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