Ottery St Mary, referred to as "Ottery", is a community and civil parish in the East Devon district of Devon, England, on the River Otter, regarding 10 miles (16 kilometres) eastern of Exeter on the B3174. At the 2001 census, the church, which includes the villages of Metcombe, Fairmile, Alfington, Tipton St John, Wiggaton, as well as (till 2017) West Hillside, had a population of 7,692. The population of the urban location alone at the 2011 census was 4,898. There are 2 electoral wards in Ottery (Rural & Town). The overall population of both wards, consisting of the nearby civil church of Aylesbeare, at the above census was 9,022. Historical excavations in 2014, in advance of a housing development at Island Farm, revealed a medieval 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 stated 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' element describes 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 St Mary's church. The town is the site of The King's School, currently an extensive college, a former grammar school established in 1545 by Henry VIII, and Ottery St Mary Primary School. The town as it now stands, consists of numerous independent shops, mostly in Mill Street, Silver Street and Yonder Street. A location known as 'The Square', is the heart of Ottery St Mary. There are bars, restaurants, and coffee and also cafeteria. Ottery offers services, work, and a large range of purchasing local citizens in addition to site visitors from close-by towns and communities. Site visitors typically come from more afield and abroad. Historic Features are within strolling distance from parking areas enabling locals and visitors to take pleasure in both history and purchasing with each other.