Axminster

Axminster is a market town and civil parish in East Devon, England. It sits on the River Axe in the Axe Valley, near the eastern edge of the Jurassic Coast, about 25 miles southeast of Exeter. The town developed as a medieval market town and remains the administrative center of its parish and surrounding rural area.

Historically, Axminster grew with wool and textile trades. It is best known for Axminster Carpets, a carpet manufacturing business founded in the 18th century by Thomas Whitty. The company and its distinctive woven carpets helped put Axminster on the industrial map, and the name Axminster Carpets has become closely associated with high-quality hand-crafted floor coverings. The original works and later productions shaped local life and employment.

Today the town’s economy blends tourism, services, and the preservation of its textile heritage. Visitors are drawn to the market square, local shops, and the surrounding countryside and coast. The area lies within the Axe Valley and is part of the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, making it a base for outdoor activities such as walking and wildlife watching.

Axminster is served by Axminster railway station on the West of England Main Line, with services operated by Great Western Railway to Exeter and other destinations. The town is governed as part of the East Devon district, with local administration provided by Axminster Town Council.

Notable figures associated with Axminster include Thomas Whitty, the founder of Axminster Carpets, whose work remains a central part of the town’s identity.