Teignmouth is an attractive holiday settlement at the mouth of the River Teign. A lot of money has been spent revitalising the town centre and sea front. It is now a worthy rival to larger seaside settlements further south along Tor bay.
The town grew up round two tiny settlement, East Teignmouth with St Michael’s church overlooking the beach and West Teignmouth at St James’ Church overlooking the estuary.
The river estuary provided a sheltered harbour and by the early C14th Teignmouth had grown into a significant port, second only to Dartmouth. It had its own market charter.
Teignmouth grew rapidly in the C17th from wealth generated by the very productive Newfoundland cod industry. Wealthy captains houses were built. The men were away for most of the year while the women fished locally and also provided a ferry service across the river.
It began to develop as a seaside resort in the C19th, with visitors being attracted by the long expanse of sandy beach and mild climate. A bridge was built across the river linking Shaldon and Teignmouth. This was originally a wooden toll bridge but was replaced in 1931. Its two churches were rebuilt. The railway arrived in 1846 bringing more visitors. The promenade with its gardens and pier was built.
Small rowing boats are still pulled up on River Beach and there is still some fishing from here. The port also handles timber, grain and clay. The maze of small fishermen’s cottages and boat building yards are long gone.
A small passenger ferry still runs across the river between Teignmouth and Sheldon.
There is a town trail with information boards beginning at the Heritage Centre.
Cont...
The town grew up round two tiny settlement, East Teignmouth with St Michael’s church overlooking the beach and West Teignmouth at St James’ Church overlooking the estuary.
The river estuary provided a sheltered harbour and by the early C14th Teignmouth had grown into a significant port, second only to Dartmouth. It had its own market charter.
Teignmouth grew rapidly in the C17th from wealth generated by the very productive Newfoundland cod industry. Wealthy captains houses were built. The men were away for most of the year while the women fished locally and also provided a ferry service across the river.
It began to develop as a seaside resort in the C19th, with visitors being attracted by the long expanse of sandy beach and mild climate. A bridge was built across the river linking Shaldon and Teignmouth. This was originally a wooden toll bridge but was replaced in 1931. Its two churches were rebuilt. The railway arrived in 1846 bringing more visitors. The promenade with its gardens and pier was built.
Small rowing boats are still pulled up on River Beach and there is still some fishing from here. The port also handles timber, grain and clay. The maze of small fishermen’s cottages and boat building yards are long gone.
A small passenger ferry still runs across the river between Teignmouth and Sheldon.
There is a town trail with information boards beginning at the Heritage Centre.
Cont...