Exford, Somerset

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 51.134291
longitude= -3.637867
official_name= Exford
population =
shire_district= West Somerset
shire_county = Somerset
region= South West England
constituency_westminster= Taunton
post_town= TAUNTON
postcode_district =
postcode_area=
dial_code=
os_grid_reference= SS855385

Exford is a rural village at the centre of Exmoor, convert|7|mi|km|0|lk=on north west of Dulverton, and convert|10|mi|km|0 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.

History

To the east of the village are the prehistoric hillside enclosures of Road Castle and Staddon Hill Camp.cite book |last=Bush |first=Robin |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Somerset: The complete guide |year=1994 |publisher=Dovecote press |location=Wimbourne |isbn=187433627X ] 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. [cite web | title=Exford bridge | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=265419 | accessdate=2007-09-28] 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. It has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II* listed building. [cite web | title=Church of St Mary Magdalene | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=265416 | accessdate=2007-09-28] 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. [cite web |url=http://www.woodforde.co.uk/page40.htm |title=Christopher Woodforde |accessdate=2007-09-28 |format= |work=The Woodforde Family ]

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.

References

Gallery