Withypool
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Withypool | |
|
|
|
  Withypool shown within Somerset |
|
| Population | 230 [1] |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| District | Taunton Deane |
| Shire county | Somerset |
| Region | South West |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | TAUNTON |
| Postcode district | TA24 |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Devon and Somerset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| European Parliament | South West England |
| List of places: UK • England • Somerset | |
Withypool (formerly Withypoole) is a small village in Somerset, England, near the centre of Exmoor National Park and close to the border with Devon. The civil parish, known as Withypool and Hawkridge, covers 3,097 hectares (7,653 acres), includes the village of Hawkridge and has a population around 230.[1]
Withypool is in the Barle Valley on both the River Barle and the Two Moors Way. To the southwest of the village lie Withypool Common and Withypool Hill.
Contents |
[edit] History
The area around Withypool has been inhabited since the Bronze Age and a stone circle can still be seen on top of Withypool Hill. The Brightworthy barrows lie on the Common; of three original, two survive.[2][3]
Withypool is mentioned in the Domesday Book as being tended by three foresters: Dodo, Almer and Godric.[4]
In the 14th century, Geoffrey Chaucer was in charge of the village in his duties as forester of North Petherton.
[edit] Landmarks
The river passes under a late medieval six-arch stone Landacre Bridge.[5]
[edit] The Royal Oak Inn
The village's Royal Oak Inn has seen its share of history since its construction in the late 17th century. R. D. Blackmore wrote part of Lorna Doone in the bar, and artist Alfred Munnings had a studio in the loft. In the 1930s, the inn was owned by Gwladys and Maxwell Knight, a spy-ring leader and radio broadcaster upon whom Ian Fleming based the character of James Bond's boss, M. During World War II, the nearby Woolacombe beach was used to simulate the invasion of Normandy, and General Dwight Eisenhower planned some of the operation from the Royal Oak.[6] In the summer of 2006 Prince William dined at the Royal Oak with friends from the area, after attending a hunting meet at Hawkridge village, a few miles from Withypool.
[edit] Religious sites
The late medieval Church of St Andrew is a Grade II* listed building. The tower was rebuilt in the early 17th century, restored and refitted in 1887, and restored extensively and rebuilt again in 1902.[7]
The Norman Church of St Giles in Hawkridge has 14th-century origins.[8]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Somerset County Council, 2002. Population estimates.
- ^ "Brightworthy Barrows". Modern Antiquarian. Retrieved on 2008-10-18.
- ^ "Withypool circle". Megalithic Portal. Retrieved on 2008-10-18.
- ^ "Withypool". Everything Exmoor. Retrieved on 2008-10-18.
- ^ "Landacre Bridge". Images of England. English Heritage. Retrieved on 2008-10-18.
- ^ "History". Royal Oak Inn. Retrieved on 2008-10-18.
- ^ "Church of St Andrew". Images of England. English Heritage. Retrieved on 2008-10-18.
- ^ "Church of St Giles". Images of England. English Heritage. Retrieved on 2008-10-18.
