| With a population of under 18,000, Brixham is a small | | | | offering a number of significant attractions for |
| fishing town located in the county of Devon, England. | | | | historians and tourists. |
| The two biggest industries in the area are fishing and | | | | During its history, Brixham enjoyed a prolific role in |
| tourism. The town has a busy harbour and houses are | | | | Medieval England as being the largest fishing town in |
| built over hilly landscape surrounding the harbour of | | | | the entire south-western area of the country. |
| Torbay. | | | | Smuggling was also popular at this time, since it bought |
| Although the first confirmed evidence of a settlement | | | | in a great deal more money than fishing did. |
| in the area comes from the Saxon times, it is widely | | | | One of the most famous tourist attractions in the town |
| believed that there have been people living there since | | | | is the replica of Sir Francis Drake's ship, the Golden |
| the Bronze Age and before, perhaps even as far | | | | Hind. The town enjoys an especially rich maritime |
| back as the Ice Age. The Saxon settlement was | | | | heritage and boasts a genuine traditional way of life |
| always very small and revolved entirely around the | | | | and a wealth of attractions considering its size. Other |
| fishing business. | | | | attractions and popular pastimes for visitors include |
| The town was first formally mentioned in the | | | | river cruises nearby and cycling and hiking are also |
| Domesday Book, at which time it was quite tiny with a | | | | popular. Also in the area to see is the Berry Pomeroy |
| population of only 39. The town grew in size over the | | | | Castle, an English Heritage protected site located near |
| coming centuries reaching 8000 at the turn of the 20th | | | | the town. Other popular things to do in the area include |
| century. It has since grown into a busy little town | | | | diving and ballooning amongst other things. |