Parish Information

A neolithic axe has been found in the parish, and Iron Age pottery was discovered during the construction of Culverhay School. There is some evidence of two barrows.

The southeastern boundary of the parish follows the route of the Fosse Way a Roman road that linked Exeter (Isca Dumnoniorum) in South West England to Lincoln (Lindum Colonia) in the East Midlands, via Ilchester (Lindinis), Bath (Aquae Sulis), Cirencester (Corinium) and Leicester (Ratae Corieltauvorum).

The village lies on the route of the Wansdyke (from Woden's Dyke) an early medieval or possibly defining a Roman boundary with a series of defensive linear earthworks, consisting of a ditch and a running embankment from the ditch spoil, with the ditching facing north. Its construction is attributed to the Saxons, probably in the late sixth century. The parish of Englishcombe was part of the Wellow Hundred.

The Domesday Book of 1086 records that Englishcombe was held by Nigel de Gournay, who would have won his lands in Englishcombe, Twerton, Swainswick and Barrow Gurney by fighting for William I of England. His original home may have been Gournay, which was halfway between Dieppe and Paris.

Thomas de Gournay was involved with the murder of Edward II at Berkeley Castle in 1327. The earthwork remains of the Gournay family castle, just north of the village of Englishcombe, are known as Culverhay Castle, built in the 12th century and now a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

You can read more about the history of Englishcombe Parish below, in three parts!

Englishcombe Parish History - Part 1

Englishcombe Parish History - Part 2

Englishcombe Parish History - Part 3

The Tithe Barn

The tithe barn attached to Rectory Farmhouse was built by Bath Abbey in the early 14th century. It was restored in the 1990s and has been designated as a Grade II* listed building. Rectory Farmhouse itself was built onto the barn in the early to mid 17th century.

The Manor of Inglescombe, as it was previously called, was acquired by the Duchy of Cornwall in 1421. Along with the Duchy's more recent acquisition of the neighbouring village of Newton St Loe in 1941, they form the Duchy's largest estate outside Dartmoor.

The mining of Fuller's earth started in the parish in the 19th century but expanded around the time of World War I with pits in Middle Wood and Vernham Wood. It continued until the 1960s when small underground springs made the extraction too expensive to continue.

The Old Schoolhouse

Built in 1872, The Old Schoolhouse in Englishcombe served as the village school for over a century before closing in 1985. Since then, it has been a cherished local venue, hosting parish meetings and community events. With its original limestone walls and Victorian charm, it remains a symbol of the village’s heritage.

The Wheelwrights Barn

The Wheelwrights Barn is a historic building in the centre of Englishcombe, originally used as a traditional workshop for crafting and repairing wooden wheels and carts. Dating back several centuries, the barn formed an essential part of rural village life, serving local tradespeople and farmers. It is believed to have been part of the estate since at least the 15th century, when the Duchy of Cornwall acquired much of the land in the area. With its stone construction and rustic character, the barn stands as a lasting reminder of Englishcombe’s agricultural and craft heritage.

The Orchard and Millstream

The Orchard & Millstream is a peaceful green space at the heart of Englishcombe, rich in both natural beauty and local heritage. Once fed by the brook that powered Gibbs’ mill, the area supported milling and small-scale fruit growing for generations. Over time, it became a valued communal space, featuring native trees, a footbridge, and quiet spots for reflection. Leased by the Parish Council, the orchard continues to connect the village to its rural past and serves as a cherished part of Englishcombe’s landscape.

St Peter's Church

St Peter’s Church has stood at the heart of Englishcombe since the 12th century, originally built for the de Gournay family. A Grade I listed building, it is one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in the area, with later additions from the 14th and 15th centuries. The church features distinctive Romanesque arches, a central tower with battlements, and a rare medieval leper’s squint—a small window allowing those with leprosy to hear the service from outside. Rich in history and craftsmanship, St Peter’s remains a place of worship and reflection, connecting the village to nearly a thousand years of faith and community.