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| HER Number: | MDV135547 |
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| Name: | Medieval Settlement at Withycombe Barton, Exmouth |
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Summary
Withycombe is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. The Church of St John in the Wilderness was the original parish church, potentially dating back to the Saxon period. The settlement declined following the construction of a new church dedicated to St Michael and All Angels at Withycombe Raleigh which was licenced for services in 1421.
Location
| Grid Reference: | SY 027 833 |
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| Map Sheet: | SY08SW |
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| Admin Area | Devon |
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| Civil Parish | Exmouth |
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| District | East Devon |
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| Ecclesiastical Parish | WITHYCOMBE RALEIGH |
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Protected Status: none recorded
Other References/Statuses: none recorded
Monument Type(s) and Dates
- SETTLEMENT (VIII to Late Medieval - 701 AD (Between) to 1539 AD (Between))
Full description
Reichel, O. J., 1903, The Hundred of Budleigh in the Time of "Testa de Nevil" AD 1244, 288 (Article in Serial). SDV40350.
Withycombe Barton is mentioned in the 1244 'Testa de Nevil'. This is the 'Widecome' held by Walter de Claville at the time of the Domesday Survey.
Reichel, O. J., 1914-1915, Raleigh and Drake Inscriptions in St. John's in the Wilderness (Article in Serial). SDV349650.
Withecombe Barton was one of four manors in Withycombe Raleigh in the 18th century. The others were Rill, Bradham and Hulham.
Ordnance Survey, 2025, Mastermap 2025 (Cartographic). SDV366286.
Withycombe Barton marked.
Shillitoe, T., 2025, Withycombe (Personal Comment). SDV366379.
Withycombe Barton is the location of the Withycombe settlement recorded in Domesday Book. The farmstead is adjacent to the Church of St John in the Wilderness. This has a long history, back to Saxon times, and was a key part of the original Withycombe settlement before it relocated downstream to lower land within what is now Exmouth, with a new church dedicated to St Michael and All Angels. It is documented that Bishop Lacey licence to the Vicar of East Budleigh to hold services at St Michael and All Angels in 1421 .
The settlement around St John in the Wilderness declined, with the church falling derelict. It provides a unique opportunity in having a medieval settlement that has remained relatively un-developed, in contrast to how usually a settlement will continue to grow around the historic centre. The land around has been predominantly arable which potentially provides a significant opportunity for archaeological artefacts to be found in this area.
Sources / Further Reading
| SDV349650 | Article in Serial: Reichel, O. J.. 1914-1915. Raleigh and Drake Inscriptions in St. John's in the Wilderness. Devon and Cornwall Notes and Queries. 8.1. Unknown. |
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| SDV366286 | Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 2025. Mastermap 2025. Ordnance Survey Digital Mapping. Digital. [Mapped feature: #143646 Exact location and extent of the medieval settlement/manor is uknown. Map object approximate, ] |
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| SDV366379 | Personal Comment: Shillitoe, T.. 2025. Withycombe. Email. |
| SDV40350 | Article in Serial: Reichel, O. J.. 1903. The Hundred of Budleigh in the Time of "Testa de Nevil" AD 1244. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. 35. 288. |
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Associated Monuments
| MDV135546 | Related to: Bridge over stream to north-east of the Church of St John in the Wilderness, Withycombe Raleigh (Monument) |
| MDV10661 | Related to: Church of St John in the Wilderness, Withycombe Raleigh, Exmouth (Building) |
| MDV10625 | Related to: St. Michael's Church, Withycombe Raleigh, Exmouth (Building) |
| MDV15524 | Related to: Withycombe Barton, Withycombe Raleigh, Exmouth (Monument) |
Associated Finds: none recorded
Associated Events: none recorded
| Date Last Edited: | Jan 31 2025 1:54PM |
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