History of Knowstone |
 |
| |
The Historical Parish
of Knowstone lies midway between the market towns of
South Molton and Tiverton just off the southern borders
of Exmoor. In 1086 Knowstone was written as Chenutdestana
and in 1220 it became Cnouston, changing variously to
become Knowstone in 1489. In 1857 this agricultural
parish had a population of 817 however over the years
the number of farms has decreased and the blacksmiths,
wheelwrights, post office, bakery, methodist chapel,
school and village shop have all been lost, the population
today sits at around 220. |
 |
|
|
 |
|
The Masons Arms is opposite the parish church of St.Peters in the
heart of Knowstone. St. Peters was mainly built
in the 13th Century and the Inn was also built by
the builders of the church, thus The Mason's Arms.
 |
|
|
|
|
The parish contains
Haresdown and Knowstone Moors. These form part of the
largest area of Culm grassland in the world and are
a site of Special Scientific Interest. These windswept
moors were cultivated during the first Elizabethan era
to provide corn for the navy vessels at Plymouth. The
old field boundry banks are still visible today.The
landscape is typical rolling Devon country and the highest
point is at Haresdown (850 ft) and the lowest is by
Ford Farm (450 ft). The land grows good grass as a chief
crop and is best suited to cattle and sheep farming. |
|
|
|
| There is an old marker
stone on Beaples Moor which marks the confluence
of ancient track ways. Another stone has been placed
at Knowstone Moor to mark the Millennium, this is
of Dartmoor granite and was formerly used as a naval
mooring stone in Plymouth Sound. It sits on the
old anchorage bolts. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| In the past, Knowstone had its own grist
mill, and there are remains of a castle in the woods,
now more of a mound. There are many interesting local
tales within this historical Parish, and there is considerable
interest in protecting the past and promoting the future.
|
