Exford, Somerset
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Exford | |
  Exford shown within Somerset |
|
| OS grid reference | |
|---|---|
| District | West Somerset |
| Shire county | Somerset |
| Region | South West |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | TAUNTON |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Devon and Somerset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| European Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament | Taunton |
| List of places: UK • England • Somerset | |
Exford is a rural village at the centre of Exmoor, 7 miles (11 km) north west of Dulverton, and 10 miles (16 km) south west of Minehead, in Somerset, England. Less than a mile away is the hamlet of Lyncombe.
Situated on the B3224, the main route across Exmoor, it is a small village on the River Exe famous for Hunting, Shooting, Fishing and horse riding. Exford is generally regarded as being at the very center of Exmoor National Park.
The centre of the village surrounds a traditional, village green, and is home to a Post Office, newsagents, general store, car repair shop, youth hostel and primary school as well as a children's play area.
[edit] History
To the east of the village are the prehistoric hillside enclosures of Road Castle and Staddon Hill Camp.[1] and to the west is Cow Castle an Iron age hill fort.
The Domesday Book of 1086 records eight settlements in the parish five called Exford and the others at Almesworthy (Edmunds homestead), Stone and Downscombe.
The bridge over the river was built in 1930 on a medieval site.[2]
The church, dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene, (formerly known as the Church of St Salvyn) is a stone structure with a lofty tower dating from the 15th century. The south aisle probably dates from 1542, however the nave, chancel and porch were not built until 1867.[1] It has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II* listed building.[3] It is approximately 1/2 mile from the village itself.
In the mid 19th century there were several iron and copper mines in and around the village by the Exford Iron Ore Co.
The Devon and Somerset Staghounds have had their kennels, which were built by Montague Bissett, at Exford since 1875.
Christopher Woodforde served as rector of the parish between 1936 and 1939.[4]
There are two hotels, The Crown and The Exmoor White Horse Inn owned by local photographer Peter Hendrie.
Five minutes walk South of Exford alongside the River Exe lies the hamlet of Court and Court Farm with its famous Black Arabian stud and holiday cottages.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Bush, Robin (1994). Somerset: The complete guide. Wimbourne: Dovecote press. ISBN 187433627X.
- ^ Exford bridge. Images of England. Retrieved on 2007-09-28.
- ^ Church of St Mary Magdalene. Images of England. Retrieved on 2007-09-28.
- ^ Christopher Woodforde. The Woodforde Family. Retrieved on 2007-09-28.
[edit] Gallery
 Exford Village Green |
 White Horse Inn |
