Sampford Courtenay

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Sampford Courtenay
Devon
Sampford Courtenay.jpg
Sampford Courtenay
Location
Grid reference: SS6301
Location: 50°47’32"N, 3°56’42"W
Data
Population: 509  (2001)
Post town: Okehampton
Postcode: EX20
Dialling code: 01837
Local Government
Council: West Devon
Parliamentary
constituency:
Torridge and West Devon

Sampford Courtenay is a little village in western Devon, to the north of Okehampton.

The 2001 census recorded a population of 509.

The village is most famous, or rather infamous, as the place where the Western Rebellion, otherwise known as the Prayerbook Rebellion, first started, and where the rebels made their final stand.

There is a railway station near the village and named from it, at Belstone Corner. Sampford Courtenay Station still operates as a halt on the Dartmoor Railway summer weekend service between Okehampton and Exeter.

Parish church

The Church of St Andrew is mainly built of granite and has an elegant tower.[1]

In literature

Sampford Courtenay is the area which author M.R. James had in mind for his short ghost story Martin's Close published in More Ghost Stories in 1911. The New Inn featured in this story is also a real place and a Grade-II-listed old coaching inn originally built in the 16th century

Outside links

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References

  1. Betjeman, J. (ed.) (1968) Collins Pocket Guide to English Parish Churches: the South. London: Collins; p. 165