West Quantoxhead

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 51.1707
longitude= -3.2698
official_name= West Quantoxhead
population=
shire_district= West Somerset
shire_county = Somerset
region= South West England
constituency_westminster= Bridgwater
post_town= Williton
postcode_district = TA4
postcode_area= TA
dial_code= 01984
os_grid_reference=ST113420

West Quantoxhead is a small village and civil parish in the West Somerset district of Somerset, England. It lies on the route of the Coleridge Way and on the A39 road at the foot of the Quantock Hills, convert|3|mi|km|0|lk=on from East Quantoxhead, convert|2.5|mi|km|0 from Williton and equidistant from Bridgwater and Taunton. The parish includes the hamlets of Weacombe and Lower Weacombe.

West Quantoxhead is also known as St Audries. The St Audries Manor Estate, was named for the dedication of the parish church to Æthelthryth known as St Ethelreda, who was also known as St Audrey. The manor of St Audries was bought by Sir Peregrine Palmer Fuller-Palmer-Acland of the Acland Baronets in 1836.cite book |title=Portrait of the Quantocks |last=Waite |first=Vincent |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1964 |publisher=Robert Hale |location=London |isbn=0709111584 |pages= ]

The manor house of the Aclands was renovated between 1835 and 1870. The property was divided in 1934, when the house was sold and turned into St Audries School [cite web |url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=265273 |title= St. Audries School |accessdate=2008-03-10 |format= |work=Images of England ] which remained in occupation until 1990, when the house was sold to the Amitabha Buddhist Centre until 2001. [cite web |url=http://webapp1.somerset.gov.uk/her/details.asp?prn=34608 |title=Landscape park, West Quantoxhead |accessdate=2008-03-10 |format= |work=Somerset Historic Environment Record ]

Church

The old medieval church in the village became so dilapidated that it was entirely rebuilt in 1856 leaving only the shaft of a cross [cite web |url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=265269 |title=Remains of Churchyard Cross |accessdate=2008-03-09 |format= |work=Images of England ] from the original building in the churchyard, two of the bells dated 1440, a Norman font and a stone coffin. The new church was built by John Morton for Sir Peregrine Acland and his son-in-law Sir Alexander Fuller-Acland-Hood, 1st Baron St Audries of the Acland Baronets. [cite web |url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=265268 |title=Church of St. Ethel Dreda |accessdate=2008-03-09 |format= |work=Images of England ]

References

External links

* [http://www.somerset3d.co.uk/logos%20&%20pictures/town%20&%20village%20pages/westquantoxhead.htm Photos of West Quantoxhead in 3d (Anaglyphs)]