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Withypool
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Withypool
The village of Withypool lies scattered along the lanes which meet at the bridge over the river Barle. Farmsteads lie along the Barle valley and on the hill north of the village but the landscape is dominated by the heath-covered moors of Road, Winsford and Withypool hills to the east, south and west. A small tearoom caters for visitors and the village has a post office and public house.
Exmoor - looking west from Withypool Common - © 2009 Mike Watson www.mike-watson.co.uk
Withypool Bridge. Regular subject of Painters - © 2009 Mike Watson www.mike-watson.co.uk
Landacre Bridge sometimes known as Lanacre Bridge
Lying on the side of the River Barle this village was mentioned in the Domesday Book. The handsome bridge has five arches and the village inn is linked with R.D. Blackmore who wrote part of 'Lorna Doone' whilst staying there. Once the chief village of the Forest, Withypool is some four miles along the river from Tarr Steps. It is a favourite haunt of anglers and on Withypool Common can be seen the remains of an ancient stone circle.
The Royal Oak Pub at Withypool
Withypool is mentioned in the Domesday Book in an entry that refers to Dodo, Almer and Godric, three "foresters of Widepolla". A Swainmote Court (associated with the Free Suitors) was held in Landacre Fields or Withypool Inn until James Boevey moved it to Simonsbath towards the end of the seventeenth century. Withypool had, until then, been the 'moorland capital" R.D.Blackmore wrote part of Lorna Doone in the bar of the Royal Oak in Withypool and the famous artist Alfred Munnings had a studio in the loft. Withypool (pop 196) is a small village with pub, shop and toilets in a beautiful setting overlooking the Barle valley and heathland of Withypool Common.
Sheel Petrol Pumps at Withypool
The area around Withypool has been inhabited since the Bronze Age - a stone circle can still be seen on top of Withypool Hill. The Brightworthy Barrows lie on the Common; of three original, two survive. Withypool is mentioned in the Domesday Book as the place tended by three foresters: Dodo, Almer and Godric. In the 14th century, Geoffrey Chaucer was in charge of the village in his duties as forrester of North Petherton.
The Bridge at Withypool with the River Barle in Flood
The town's Royal Oak Inn has seen its share of history since its construction in the late 17th century. R. D. Blackmore wrote part of Lorna Doone in the bar, and artist Alfred Munnings had a studio in the loft. In the 1930s, the Inn was owned by Gwladys and Maxwell Knight–a spy-ring leader and radio broadcaster upon whom Ian Fleming based the character of James Bond's boss, M. During World War II, the nearby Woolacombe beach was used to simulate the invasion of Normandy, and General Dwight Eisenhower planned some of the operation from the Royal Oak. In the Summer of 2006 Prince William dined at the Royal Oak with friends from the area, after attending a famous hunting meet at Hawkridge village, a few miles from Withypool.
Bridge over the River Barle at Withypool
Withypool Bridge
Royal Oak Pub Withypool
Withypool Bridge is also known as New Bridge. The present bridge replaces an older bridge slightly further upstream. It was rebuilt in 1866 by John Buslin and William Browner. It was restored after the 1952 flood and again in 1983 by Somerset County Council. It is a six-arch bridge with parapets. The cutwaters between the arches continue as buttresses to just below the coping of the parapet. The date 1983 is set in pebbles.
OS Grid Reference: SS8435
Contributed by: Julie Elliot
