Honiton is situated close to the River Otter, 17 miles northeast of Exeter. The town grew along the line of the Fosse Way - the ancient Roman road linking Exeter (Isca Dumnoniorum) to Lincoln (Lindum) on which it was an important stopping point. The location is mentioned in the Domesday Book as Honetone, meaning a farmstead of a man called Huna. It became an important market town known for its lace making that was introduced by Flemish immigrants in the Elizabethan era. In the 17th century thousands of people produced lace by hand in their homes and later in the 19th Century Queen Victoria had her wedding dress made of Honiton lace. The town also became known for its Honiton pottery.

In the mid 18th century the town was largely destroyed by fire. Georgian houses were then built to replace some of those that had been destroyed. Honiton more than doubled in size between the 1960s and 2005 with most development taking place south of the Exeter to Waterloo railway line.

Key Stats

• There has been significant population growth since 1991 in the area with Honiton parish growing by more than a quarter. The population is now around 11,400.
• Unemployment levels in the Honiton parish are above the district and county averages.
• The largest number of businesses in the market town area is in the wholesale & retail trade with over 25% of businesses involved.
• Children living in areas other than Honiton parish achieve significantly higher results at Key Stage 2 than those that live in the parish.
• Achievement rates for GCSEs at grades A* to C were also better for children living outside of Honiton parish but overall results are slightly below the county average.
• Incapacity Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance claim rates are slightly below average but the figures are higher than the county average in Honiton parish.
• The level of households occupied by lone pensioners in the market town area is lower than the district average. However there is a noticeable difference between Honiton parish and the surrounding hinterland.
• Select here for more statistics about Honiton and surrounding area. (1.04MB - pdf help)