It was historically a village and civil parish, much older than Exmouth itself;[1] the parish was abolished on 1 April 1974.

The original parish church dates back to the 13th century and is dedicated to St Margaret and St Andrew.

[4] The newer Holy Trinity Church was built in 1824.

Between 1903 and 1967, Littleham railway station served the area as a stop on the Exmouth & Salterton Railway of the London and South Western Railway.

[5] To the south of Littleham is Sandy Bay, with a large seaside caravan resort called Devon Cliffs, owned by Haven Holidays.