Ottery St Mary, known as "Ottery", is a town and also civil parish in the East Devon district of Devon, England, on the River Otter, concerning 10 miles (16 km) east of Exeter on the B3174. At the 2001 census, the parish, which includes the villages of Metcombe, Fairmile, Alfington, Tipton St John, Wiggaton, and (up until 2017) West Hillside, had a population of 7,692. The population of the metropolitan area alone at the 2011 census was 4,898. There are 2 electoral wards in Ottery (Rural & Town). The complete population of both wards, including the surrounding civil parish of Aylesbeare, at the above census was 9,022. Archaeological excavations in 2014, before a housing development at Island Farm, revealed a middle ages longhouse dating to AD.1250-- 1350. Ottery is first attested in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as 'Otri' and also 'Otrei'. 'Oteri Sancte Marie' is first discussed in 1242. The town takes its name from the River Otter on which it stands, the river taking its name from the animal. The 'St Mary' aspect refers to the fact that the community came from the church of St Mary in Rouen in 1086. Ottery's noteworthy buildings consist of the Tumbling Weir and also St Mary's church. The town is the site of The King's School, currently a comprehensive institution, a former grade school established in 1545 by Henry VIII, as well as Ottery St Mary Primary School. The community as it currently stands, comprises numerous independent shops, generally in Mill Street, Silver Street as well as Yonder Street. An area referred to as 'The Square', is the heart of Ottery St Mary. There are clubs, dining establishments, as well as coffee and cafeteria. Ottery supplies solutions, work, and also a wide range of looking for neighborhood citizens in addition to site visitors from nearby villages as well as towns. Visitors usually originate from more afield as well as abroad. Historic Features are within strolling distance from parking areas allowing locals and also visitors to delight in both history and also shopping together.