Widecombe in the Moor, Devon

Description
Widecombe-in-the-Moor, a parish in Devonshire, in a rich valley between Dartmoor Hills, 5 miles from Ashburton station, and 7 from Bovey station on the G.W.R. It has a post office under Ashburton; money order and telegraph office, Ashburton. It is divided into the two ecclesiastical parishes of Widecombe and Leusden. Acreage, 10,786; population of the civil parish, 744; of the ecclesiastical, 366. There is a parish council consisting of nine members. A cattle fair is held on the second Tuesday in September. The surface exhibits the characteristic features of Dartmoor, and has many bold and lofty rocks. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Exeter; net value, £220 with residence. Patrons, the Dean and Chapter of Exeter. The church is ancient but handsome, and from its size and beauty is termed the Cathedral of the Moors. The tower, which resembles that of St Mary Magdalen, Oxford, is said to have been built by successful tin miners in the 16th century. There are Wesleyan and Calvinistic chapels. South of the parish are the remains of a British village, and northwards are two logan or rocking stones.