# Crowcombe

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Village in Somerset, England

Human settlement in England

Crowcombe Crowcombe Church Crowcombe Location within Somerset Population 489 (2011)[1] OS grid reference ST142368 Unitary authority Somerset Ceremonial county Somerset Region South West Country England Sovereign state United Kingdom Post town Taunton Postcode district TA4 Police Avon and Somerset Fire Devon and Somerset Ambulance South Western UK Parliament Tiverton and Minehead List of places UK England Somerset 51°07′26″N 3°13′38″W / 51.1240°N 3.2273°W / 51.1240; -3.2273

**Crowcombe** is a village and [civil parish](/source/Civil_parish) under the [Quantock Hills](/source/Quantock_Hills) in [Somerset](/source/Somerset), England, 5.5 miles (9 km) southeast of [Watchet](/source/Watchet), and 8 miles (13 km) from [Taunton](/source/Taunton). The village has a population of 489.[1]

The parish covers the hamlets of **Crowcombe Heathfield**, **Flaxpool**, **Halsway**, **Lawford** and **Triscombe**.[2]

The village is on the route of the [Samaritans Way South West](/source/Samaritans_Way_South_West).

## History

The name Triscombe is believed to derive from the [Old English](/source/Old_English) words *treows* and *cumb*.[3]

The first documentary evidence of the village is by [Æthelwulf of Wessex](/source/%C3%86thelwulf_of_Wessex) in 854, where it was spelt 'Cerawicombe'.[4] At that time the manor belonged to [Glastonbury Abbey](/source/Glastonbury_Abbey).[5] Later [Gytha Thorkelsdóttir](/source/Gytha_Thorkelsd%C3%B3ttir), wife of [Earl Godwin](/source/Godwin%2C_Earl_of_Wessex), gave it to the monks of [Winchester](/source/Winchester) to make amends for her husband's "treacherous abuses of divers monastic institutions".[6]

The [Domesday Book](/source/Domesday_Book) of 1086 lists the village as 'Crawcombe', which is believed to come from the [Old English](/source/Old_English) words *craw* and *cumb*.[3] The parish of Crowcombe was part of the [Williton and Freemanners](/source/Williton_and_Freemanners_(hundred)) [Hundred](/source/Hundred_(county_subdivision)).[7]

The medieval cross of red [sandstone](/source/Sandstone) is 170 metres (560 ft) north west of Holy Ghost Church. The octagonal shaft is 3 metres (9.8 ft) high, topped by a Greek cross added in the 19th century, standing on an octagonal base.[8]

[Crowcombe Heathfield railway station](/source/Crowcombe_Heathfield_railway_station) is two miles from the village on the [West Somerset Railway](/source/West_Somerset_Railway), a [heritage railway](/source/Heritage_railway). A small part of the filming of The Beatles' first feature film, *[A Hard Day's Night](/source/A_Hard_Day's_Night_(film))*, took place here.

## Governance

The [parish council](/source/Parish_councils_of_England) has responsibility for local issues, including setting an annual precept (local rate) to cover the council's operating costs and producing annual accounts for public scrutiny. The parish council evaluates local planning applications and works with the local police, district council officers, and [neighbourhood watch](/source/Neighbourhood_Watch_(UK)) groups on matters of crime, security, and traffic. The parish council's role also includes initiating projects for the maintenance and repair of parish facilities, as well as consulting with the district council on the maintenance, repair, and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport, and street cleaning. Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also the responsibility of the council.

For [local government](/source/Local_government_in_England) purposes, since 1 April 2023, the parish comes under the [unitary authority](/source/Unitary_authorities_of_England) of [Somerset Council](/source/Somerset_Council). Prior to this, it was part of the [non-metropolitan district](/source/Non-metropolitan_district) of [Somerset West and Taunton](/source/Somerset_West_and_Taunton) (formed on 1 April 2019) and, before this, the district of [West Somerset](/source/West_Somerset) (established under the [Local Government Act 1972](/source/Local_Government_Act_1972)). It was part of [Williton Rural District](/source/Williton_Rural_District) before 1974.[9]

There is an [electoral ward](/source/Electoral_ward) termed 'Crowcombe and Stogumber'. This extends westerly from *Crowcombe* via [Stogumber](/source/Stogumber) to Willett. The total population at the [2011 Census](/source/United_Kingdom_Census_2011) was 1,191.[10]

It is also part of the [Tiverton and Minehead](/source/Tiverton_and_Minehead_(UK_Parliament_constituency)) [county constituency](/source/County_constituency) represented in the [House of Commons](/source/British_House_of_Commons) of the [Parliament of the United Kingdom](/source/Parliament_of_the_United_Kingdom). It elects one [Member of Parliament (MP)](/source/Member_of_Parliament) by the [first past the post](/source/First_past_the_post) system of election.

## Geography

It is the central point on the [Quantock Greenway](/source/Quantock_Greenway) a [footpath](/source/Trail) exploring the [Quantock Hills](/source/Quantock_Hills).

[Roebuck Meadows](/source/Roebuck_Meadows) is a [biological Site of Special Scientific Interest](/source/Biological_Site_of_Special_Scientific_Interest) for their very varied and herb-rich vegetation composed of mire and grassland communities together comprising an important example of lowland mire, which is a nationally scarce habitat. The meadows contain Cornish moneywort (*[Sibthorpia europaea](/source/Sibthorpia_europaea)*), a nationally scarce plant restricted to south-west Britain.[11]

## Landmarks

### Crowcombe Court

[Crowcombe Court](/source/Crowcombe_Court) is a large country house dating from 1724 to 1739, by Thomas Parker and finished by [Nathaniel Ireson](/source/Nathaniel_Ireson) of [Wincanton](/source/Wincanton). Minor alterations were carried out by [Edward Middleton Barry](/source/Edward_Middleton_Barry) around 1870. It is Grade I listed.[12] It has previously been used as a nursing home and today the Court is hired out for weddings and other functions.[2]

### Halsway Manor

[Halsway Manor](/source/Halsway_Manor) is England's National Centre for Traditional Music, Dance and Song. It is the only residential [folk](/source/Folk_music) centre in the UK. The eastern end of the building dates from the 15th century with the western end as an addition in the 19th century.[13]

### Village cross

The village cross is 30 metres (98 ft) east of The Carew Arms and 170 metres (560 ft) north west of the [Church of the Holy Ghost](/source/Church_of_the_Holy_Ghost%2C_Crowcombe) dates from the 14th century. It is made of red [sandstone](/source/Sandstone). The octagonal shaft is 3 metres (9.8 ft) high, topped by a Greek cross added in the 19th century, standing on an octagonal base. It has been scheduled as an [ancient monument](/source/Ancient_monument) and designated as a Grade II* [listed building](/source/Listed_building).[14][15]

## Religious sites

The [Church of the Holy Ghost](/source/Church_of_the_Holy_Ghost%2C_Crowcombe) has a tower dating from the 14th century with the rest of the building being dated at the 15th century. It has been designated by [English Heritage](/source/English_Heritage) as a Grade I [listed building](/source/Listed_building).[16]

In 1724 the spire was damaged by a lightning strike.[17] The top section of the spire was removed and is now planted in the churchyard[17] and stone from the spire was used in the flooring of the church. Inside the church carved bench-ends, dating from 1534,[18] depict such pagan subjects as the [Green Man](/source/Green_Man) and the legend of the men of Crowcombe fighting a two-headed [dragon](/source/Dragon).[19]

### Church House

The Church House and Pound was built around 1515 for parish functions, later being used to house the poor of the village on the lower floor and a school on the upper. Following an appeal for public funds to repair the building in 1907,[20] the ground floor is now being used as a village hall and the upper to house exhibitions.[19] It is a Grade II* [listed building](/source/Listed_building).[21] Further grants and public fund raising in 2007 enabled a major refurbishment.[22]

## Notable people

- [Septimus Ridsdale](/source/Septimus_Ridsdale) (1840–1884), cricketer

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-popn_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-popn_1-1) ["Statistics for Wards, LSOAs and Parishes — SUMMARY Profiles"](http://www.somersetintelligence.org.uk/files/Somerset%20Census%20Key%20Statistics%20-%20Summary%20Profiles.xls) (Excel). Somerset Intelligence. Retrieved 4 January 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-quant_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-quant_2-1) ["Crowcombe"](http://www.quantockonline.co.uk/quantocks/villages/crowcombe/crowcombe1.html). *Quantock Online*. Retrieved 17 November 2007.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Robinson_1992_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Robinson_1992_3-1) Robinson, Stephen (1992). *Somerset Place Names*. Dovecote Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-874336-03-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-874336-03-2).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Crowcombe"](https://web.archive.org/web/20040507102535/http://whatsonexmoor.co.uk/villages/crowcombe.htm). *Whats on Exmoor*. Archived from [the original](http://www.whatsonexmoor.co.uk/villages/crowcombe.htm) on 7 May 2004. Retrieved 17 November 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Crowcombe by Clare Gathercole"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121025180443/http://www1.somerset.gov.uk/archives/hes/downloads/EUS_CrowcombeText.pdf) (PDF). *Somerset Urban Archaeological Survey*. Archived from [the original](http://www1.somerset.gov.uk/archives/hes/downloads/EUS_CrowcombeText.pdf) (PDF) on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-waite_6-0)** Waite, Vincent (1964). *Portrait of the Quantocks*. London: Robert Hale. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7091-1158-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7091-1158-4). {{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility ([help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:CS1_errors#invalid_isbn_date))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Somerset Hundreds"](http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/SOM/Miscellaneous/). GENUKI. Retrieved 23 October 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Crowcombe village cross 170m north west of Holy Ghost Church (1017220)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1017220?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 25 November 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-willitonrd_9-0)** ["Williton RD"](http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10042021). *A vision of Britain Through Time*. University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 5 January 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Crowcombe and Stogumber ward 2011"](http://www.ukcensusdata.com/crowcombe-and-stogumber-e05008919#sthash.ry8Tg43p.dpbs). Retrieved 2 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Roebuck Meadows"](https://web.archive.org/web/20061013122219/http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1003204.pdf) (PDF). *English Nature*. Archived from [the original](http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1003204.pdf) (PDF) on 13 October 2006. Retrieved 19 August 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Crowcombe Court and attached stables to west (1345656)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1345656?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 17 November 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["History of the Manor"](https://web.archive.org/web/20071106103754/http://halswaymanor.co.uk/manor/manor.html). *Halsway Manor*. Archived from [the original](http://www.halswaymanor.co.uk/manor/manor.html) on 6 November 2007. Retrieved 17 November 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Crowcombe village cross 170m north west of Holy Ghost Church (1017220)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1017220?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 6 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Village Cross, 30 Metres East of the Carew Arms (1057441)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1057441?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 6 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Church House and Pound (1057446)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1057446?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 17 November 2007.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-IoEspire_17-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-IoEspire_17-1) [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Remains of spire, in churchyard, 15 metres east of chancel, Church of the Holy Ghost (1345693)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1345693?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 17 November 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Crowcombe"](https://web.archive.org/web/20061008003741/http://www.secretpeople.co.uk/_C/Crowcombe.php). *Everything Exmoor*. Archived from [the original](http://www.secretpeople.co.uk/_C/Crowcombe.php) on 8 October 2006. Retrieved 17 November 2007.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-hist_19-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-hist_19-1) ["History"](https://web.archive.org/web/20071106234327/http://www.crowcombe.org.uk/history.htm). *Crowcombe*. Archived from [the original](http://www.crowcombe.org.uk/history.htm) on 6 November 2007. Retrieved 17 November 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["History"](https://web.archive.org/web/20091202090539/http://www.churchhousecrowcombe.org.uk/history.php). *Church House Crowcombe*. Archived from [the original](http://www.churchhousecrowcombe.org.uk/history.php) on 2 December 2009. Retrieved 17 November 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Church of the Holy Ghost (1174327)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1174327?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 17 November 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Crowcombe Chuirch House"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081123053508/http://www.somerset-rural-renaissance.co.uk/projects-crowcombe-church-upgrade.html). Somerset Rural Renaissance. Archived from [the original](http://www.somerset-rural-renaissance.co.uk/projects-crowcombe-church-upgrade.html) on 23 November 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2010.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Crowcombe](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Crowcombe).

- [Crowcombe village website](https://web.archive.org/web/20071106234548/http://www.crowcombe.org.uk/index.htm)

v t e Towns, villages and hamlets in the former West Somerset district of Somerset, England Allerford Ashbeer Bicknoller Brandish Street Brompton Ralph Brompton Regis Brushford Carhampton Clatworthy Crowcombe Culbone Cutcombe Dulverton Dunster East Quantoxhead Elworthy Exford Exton Holford Huish Champflower Kilve Lilstock Luccombe Luxborough Malmsmead Minehead Monksilver Oare Old Cleeve Porlock Roadwater Sampford Brett Selworthy Simonsbath Skilgate Stogumber Stogursey Stringston Timberscombe Treborough Upton Washford Watchet West Quantoxhead Williton Winsford Withycombe Withypool Wootton Courtenay

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Crowcombe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowcombe) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowcombe?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.