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Kilkhampton

Grenville Ward comprises of the Parishes of Kilkhampton and Morwenstow
Kilkhampton or "Kilk" as the place is known
locally, sits astride the A39 "Atlantic Highway", following the line
of the old ridge way, from Bude to Bideford, that dates back to Roman
times, and like all North Cornwall has a colourful history that goes
way back so far that much is lost to the mists of time. The parish of
Kilkhampton stretches from the edge of the Tamar lakes to the beaches
of Sandymouth and Duckpool and sits on a plateau about 5 - 6 Hundred
feet above sea level. There are several burial grounds, dated to the
Bronze age, located around the parish that suggest this area as been
occupied by man for many centuries. The Saxons were definitely here
because the Doomsday survey states” that King William I, holds a
meadow and Harold (the Saxon King) had it before him." This meadow
known as Lords Meadow was possibly linked to the agricultural system
of strip fields that surrounded the Saxon town of Kilkhampton. There
is the Manor of Kilkhampton and the Barton of Aldercombe as well has
the Glebe lands in the Hundred of Stratton. Kilkhampton Castle is a
short walk due west across country from the village of Kilkhampton. It
is a Motte and Bailey type of a late Norman Castle and further west
still is another earthwork. The 1084 Doomsday record says Kilkhampton
had 3 leagues of woods and some still survive in the valleys at Stow
and Hessaford. The Norman-French Lords of the Manor were called
Grenville and their lands passed by direct descent through the names
of Carteret and Thynne until today, but they now only retain the ‘rite
of wrecks’, on the shoreline.

Kilkhampton church was probably rebuilt
in the late 15th Century, but still as the magnificent south doorway
that was constructed in about 1130. The Church, which is
dedicated to St James the Great, as is the church at Jacobstow, lays on
a famous pilgrims route that started with the pilgrims sailing from
Wales to Clovelly in Devon, and then on through Morwenstow,
Kilkhampton Jacobstow,
Boscastle, Trevalga and ultimately Fowey on the south coast, where
they re-embarked for Compostella in Spain.
The memorial Stone that stands outside the
church is dedicated to the men of Kilkhampton, who lost their lives in
the Great War of 1914-1919.

The church of St James the
Great has a ornately carved, late Norman door frame. The building
appears to have developed in parallel with the economic success of the
16th Century and now displays a notable series of carved Tudor pew
ends, a superb organ which was gifted to the church by Lord John Thynne in 1859, some fine wall monuments that are credited to local
man, Michael Chuke, who learnt his skills from the famous carver 'Grinling
Gibbons'. The tower has a pure Gothic interior arch which predates the
actual church. You will also find tall slender monoliths from Lundy
Island supporting the church and the Grenville coat of arms
throughout.

The dwelling houses and businesses of
Kilkhampton have evolved over the years to support a largely
agriculture based populace. Kilkhampton has retained two of its
ancient hamlets at Stibb and Thurdon, but nowadays, tourism has
surpassed agriculture in economic importance both in terms of
employment and income. Kilkhampton used to be a busy centre for a
variety of markets and fairs.

"Kilk" has a substantial village with most shops,
several good food outlets and places for refreshment. There is ample
parking in front of the Church and there are public conveniences
located here.
Grenville coat of arms

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