Old Cleeve

Cleeve, Old, village half way between Washford Station and Blue Anchor, 5 m. from Minehead. From the Minehead road the church tower will be seen picturesquely protruding above the trees. The village has nothing to recommend it but its rural seclusion. The church has a fair Perp. W. tower, in which the usual string course is replaced by a band of quatrefoils.

St Andrews Church Old Cleeve

Within, it contains by N. wall under an ogee canopy an effigy in lay costume (cp. Norton St Philip), with a cat at its feet—perhaps some local Dick Whittington. Note also (1) foliated squint; (2) good Perp. font. In the porch are some rough oak benches. The churchyard contains the base and shaft of a cross, and the remains of another cross will be passed on the road to Washford. Between here and Blue Anchor is an ancient lady chapel, once a shrine of considerable local repute.

Old Cleeve Somerset

Old Cleeve is near to Washford and is a pretty village of thatched cottages. The church of St Andrew was founded in Saxon times, although parts are Norman and Victorian. It contains a stained glass window designed by Sir Ninian Comper, who also designed windows for Westminster Abbey. Nearby is the Abbey of Washford that became known as Cleeve Abbey in 1188. 

Contributed by: Lyn Reading