Newtown, Exeter

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Newtown is an area of Exeter between St Sidwells and Heavitree and has been an area for the poor from Saxon times. Newtown was largely rural up until the 19th century until about 1700 when a new workhouse was built on what is now the site of Heavitree Hospital, and the old workhouse converted into the City Hospital.

Brick and tile making were carried on in Exeter by the Romans from clay workings within the city wall. By the 16th century, the rich red clay of Newtown was exploited for brickworks.

Newtown was badly hit and many buildings were destroyed in the Nazi blitz of 1942.