The Masons Arms About Knowstone & Where to stay
Click to browse local accommodation
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. A new stone has been placed at Knowstone Moor Cross to mark the millenium. It is made from Dartmoor granite and was once used as a naval mooring stone in the Plymouth Sound. Knowstone is steeped with history and is a beautiful place to visit for a picnic or to walk across the unspoilt moorland and enjoy the wildlife.