Axminster

Axminster, town in Devon, south-west England. Axminster lies on the River Axe 8 km (5 mi) north-west of Lyme Regis, and is a market town, famous as the centre for the manufacture of Axminster carpets. Axminster was established in the early 8th century, at the junction of two Roman roads: the Portway and the Fosse Way. Thomas Whitty introduced carpet manufacture to the town in 1755. The Whitty factory closed in 1835, but the carpet industry was resurrected in Axminster after a lapse of 102 years in 1937, and continues to the present day. Most Axminster carpets are hand-tufted, with brightly coloured patterns, and are known for their durability. Population (1994 estimate) 5,540.