Lympstone, East Devon

• Natural characteristics

  In a small valley cut by Wotton Brook through the red breccia cliffs which mark the edge of the Exe estuary.

  Tidal mudflats extend out into the estuary which is about 1.5 km wide at Lympstone.
• Past characteristics

  Established by Saxons after they drove the Celts from the region.

  Owned by the de Traceys and the de Courtlands after Norman Conquest.

  Tourism from Exeter in the 1840s grew local economy.

  Railway in 1861 improved connection, leading to time-space compression of shellfish industry.
• Demographic

  Ethnically homogeneous (98.9% white).

  Top-heavy age structure (24.6 persons per hectare >65 years old as opposed to England’s 16.3).
• Socio-economic

  Average household size of 2.3 people

  Owner-occupiers 66.1

  Renting from social landlord 12.2%

  Renting from social landlord 20.6%

  12.7% do not have access to a car or van

  4.1% with bad or very bad health

  14.1% aged 16 and over with no formal qualifications
• Culture

  Intrenched Christian beliefs, with Christmas and Easter being important holidays;

  67% of people identify as Christian.
• Political characteristics


  Parish council; duties focused on local matters e.g lighting local roads.

  District council (East Devon) and county council (Devon) above it.
• Built environment


  Former low-order shops have been converted into residences;

  New housing on the village’s periphery;

  Subject to strict planning rules due to locals wanting to protect original architecture.