St Andrew's Church, Withypool, was originally a chapel-of-ease
to Hawkridge. The font is Norman, probably 12th century, and
indicates that Withypool has had baptismal rights since those days.
Withypool Church St Andrews
Much of the present building dates from the second half of the 19th
century, when considerable restoration took place. Features of interest
include the squat tower, the bells and the plate. The original tower was
turreted and embattled and was twice rebuilt - in 1688 and 1902, when
shortage of funds was responsible for the present low structure. There
are six bells, three modern, the third and fifth dating from 1793, and the
fourth, by Thos. Pennington, of Exeter, from 1624. A silver chalice of
1572 and a paten inscribed "Eccles, de Withypool, 1726," are used for
special Festivals. The ecclesiastical parish of Withypool covers a wide
area of moorland, extending beyond Landacre (N.W.) and to
Brightworthy Barrows (W.) and to Comer's Cross (E.).
Most of the
dwellings are near the church, and fine views of the village can be seen
from the Hawkridge, North Molton and Winsford roads.
Withypool, in mediaeval days, was a place of some importance as the centre of the Royal Forest but the current population is just 150
Withypool
Withypool Sone Circle
Withpool Church
OS Grid Reference: SS8435 |
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