Exford
| Exford | |
| Somerset | |
|---|---|
 Church of St Mary Magdelene, Exford | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SS855385 |
| Location: | 51°8’7"N, 3°38’18"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 405 (2011) |
| Post town: | Minehead |
| Postcode: | TA24 |
| Dialling code: | 01643 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Somerset West and Taunton |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Bridgwater & W. Somerset |
Exford is a rural village at the centre of Exmoor, seven north-west of Dulverton, and ten miles south-west of Minehead, in Somerset. Less than a mile away stands the hamlet of Lyncombe.
Exford may be found on the B3224 road, the main route across Exmoor. It is named from the River Exe, which rises on the moor nearby and whose infant stream runs through the village. Local activities include hunting, shooting, fishing and horse riding.[1]
The centre of the village surrounds a traditional village green, and is home to a post office, general store, car repair shop, youth hostel and primary school as well as a children's play area.
The village is on the route of the Samaritans Way South West and the Celtic Way Exmoor Option.
History
To the east of the village are the prehistoric hillside enclosures of Road Castle and Staddon Hill Camp[2] 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 mediæval site.[3]
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.
Landmarks
There are two hotels: The Crown and The Exmoor White Horse Inn. Five minutes' walk south of Exford alongside the River Exe lies the hamlet of Court.
Churches
The parish church is the Church of St Mary Magdelene, formerly known as the Church of St Salvyn. It 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.[2]
The church is a Grade II* listed building.[4] It stands about half a mile from the village itself.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Exford) |
References
- ↑ "Submission to hunting enquiry". Exford Parish Council. http://www.huntinginquiry.gov.uk/evidence/exfordparishcoun.htm. Retrieved 12 November 2010.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bush, Robin (1994). Somerset: The complete guide. Wimborne, Dorset: Dovecote Press. ISBN 1-874336-27-X.
- ↑ National Heritage List 1345716: Exford Bridge
- ↑ National Heritage List 1057319: Church of St Mary Magdalene