Culmstock, Devon

Description
Culmstock, a village and a parish in Devonshire. the village stands on the river Culme, with a station on the G.W.R., 179 miles from London, and 7 NE of Collumpton, It was once a market-town, and still has a fair on 21 May. The parish includes also the hamlets of Northend, Nicholshayne, Prestcott, and Upcott. There is a post and money order office under Collumpton; telegraph office, Uffculme. Acreage, 3657; population, 854. The manor belonged before the Conquest to the bishops of the diocese. Culmstock Beacon, on a lofty hill, is a well-preserved ancient structure. A considerable woollen trade was formerly carried on, but has died away. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Exeter; value, £290 with residence. Patrons, the Dean and Chapter of Exeter. The church is of the 14th century; consists of nave, chancel, and aisles, with western embattled tower, and contains a small piscina and a fine altar-piece. It was restored in 1887. A yew-tree grows from the wall of the tower, at about 4 feet from the embattlements. A Wesleyan chapel is in Culmstock village, and a Baptist one at Prestcott.