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. 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.