The site was established as an artillery barracks for the Board of Ordnance under the name of Topsham Barracks around 1800. In 1873 a system of recruiting areas based on counties was instituted under the Cardwell Reforms and the barracks became the depot for the two battalions of the 11th (North Devonshire) Regiment of Foot. Following the Childers Reforms, the regiment evolved to become the Devonshire Regiment with its depot in the barracks in 1881.
