Topsham is a historic port and was designated a town by a 1300 royal charter granted by Edward I;[2] it was formally amalgamated into the City of Exeter in 1966.

[4] The electoral ward of Topsham extends further northwest and includes the east half of Countess Wear as well as the new suburb of Newcourt.

Although reconstructed several times, it remains in its original location as granted in 937 by King Æthelstan, who gave "a parcel of land, i.e. a manse, which the vulgar called Toppesham, to the monastery Church of St Mary and St Peter in Exeter, for the cure of his soul, to have in eternal freedom so long as the Christian Church shall endure.

"[9] The manor of Topsham was granted by King Henry I to Richard de Redvers and became part of his feudal barony of Plympton.

[2] Topsham's position, offering a sheltered harbour to seagoing trade, enabled it to thrive as a port, a centre for both fishing and shipbuilding.

The manor of Topsham was a part of the jointure lands granted to Anne of Denmark, wife of James VI and I, in 1603.

Many of Topsham's houses are built using Dutch bricks, which were brought over as ballast from the Netherlands – whereto the wool and cotton from South West England had been exported.

After a period of decline over the first half of the 20th century, Topsham has increasingly become a desirable and high-value residential location.

The 21st century has seen development in the 'Topsham Gap' – greenfield land between Topsham and Exeter; the town's population has grown from 3,545 in 2001, to 3,730 in 2011, to 4,146 in 2021.

It consists of furnished period rooms, displays of the local history of the town and memorabilia of Vivien Leigh, the film star.

In November 2013, a new bridge opened that forms part of a new route for cyclists and pedestrians which crosses the River Clyst and connects the town with Ebford and Exton.

This coupled with winning the Devon Intermediate Cup by beating Tiverton helped the club record its best ever season.

It was funded by a large fundraising exercise in the 1970s which included collecting waste paper and glass bottles, jumble sales and donations.

A Sports Council grant completed the fund raising effort and, in 1979, the pool was opened by Olympic gold medallist swimmer David Wilkie.

[27] The Community Association also run a Saturday market, held at the Matthews Hall, and appoint the town crier.

[32] Dick Pym, the footballer, was born here in 1893; he was a goalkeeper in the first Wembley FA Cup Final in 1923, and died in Exeter in 1988, aged 95.

The newsreader, Trevor McDonald, is a past resident of the town,[33] and both members of the folk group Show of Hands live in Topsham.