Ivybridge is a small town and civil parish in the South Hams, in Devon, England. It sits about 9 miles (14.5 km) east of Plymouth. It is at the southern extremity of Dartmoor, a National Park of England and Wales and lies along the A38 'Devon Expressway' road. According to the 2011 Census, the town has a permanent population of around 11851 individuals. Cited in records as early as the 13th century, Ivybridge's early history is marked by its status as an important crossing-point over the River Erme on the Exeter-to-Plymouth route. In the 16th century, mills were constructed making use of the River Erme's power. The parish of Saint John was formed in 1836, with Ivybridge becoming a civil parish in 1894. It emerged as a town in 1977. The early urbanisation and development of Ivybridge largely coincided with the Industrial Revolution. When the South Devon Railway Company constructed its train route through Ivybridge in the 19th century, a paper mill was built along with it, which resulted in an increase in housing nearby. The paper mill closed in the beginning of the 21st century, after being in operation for over 150 years in the town, and the buildings are being converted to homes and shops. The shopping area is mostly along Fore Street, with some small shops and restaurants located in the Glanvilles Mill shopping centre which is accessible from Fore Street. The shopping centre features over 35 shops, which includes both regional and nationwide chain stores, as well as eateries and cafés. Despite sometimes referred to as a dormitory town, many individuals work in the town itself, and agriculture continues to play an economic role for Ivybridge's hinterland. The region surrounding Ivybridge is almost totally farmland. For all your home refurbishments, be sure to find trustworthy contractors in Ivybridge to make certain of quality.