Monday 20 July 2015

Visiting the Smallest Church in England


On the Monday of our holiday in Exmoor we set off on a walk down to Culbone Church, also called St. Beuno's Church, which is located in the tiny settlement of Culbone. As our holiday cottage was situated right at the top of Porlock Hill, we made our way down the steep, winding woodland paths towards the church. The walk there was really pleasant, the walk back up however, was slightly more challenging... (i.e. I literally though I was going to die...)

The church is thought to be the smallest one in England and can only fit 30 people inside! It is a grade 1 listed building with some parts of the church dating back to the 13th century. This absolutely beautiful and peaceful church was a delight to explore and I discovered nearly all the graves in the church yard belonged to the same two families. It is nestled among the steep woodland and there is no road excess to it, despite this the church still holds regular services









According to legend, at one time lepers outnumbered deer in the woodland around Culborne. It is said that they used to come and watch the church services through this tiny window at the back of the church. Whether this is true or not I don't know, but this tiny little window tucked away at the back of the church is one of the many interesting features which make the church so fasinating and full of character.

















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