Gidleigh
Encyclopedia
Gidleigh is a village and civil parish
in the West Devon
district of Devon
, England
. Gidleigh is located within Dartmoor National Park.
Historically the parish consisted of a number of farmsteads and associated cottages scattered around the focal point of Holy Trinity church and the adjacent Gidleigh Castle
, which is now in private hands. The population peaked at 180 in the mid 19th century. The 20th century saw the development of some substantial gentleman's residences - notably Gidleigh Park
, which subsequently became a country house hotel - and the building of a village hall. The population is currently around the 130 mark. Gidleigh has never had a village shop, and residents rely on nearby Chagford
for shops and other services.
Scorhill
, one of the largest and best preserved stone circle
s in Devon, is near the village on Gidleigh Common.
, which is set in 1323.
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
in the West Devon
West Devon
West Devon is a local government district and borough in Devon, England. Towns in the district include Chagford, Okehampton, Princetown, and Tavistock, where the council is based....
district of Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Gidleigh is located within Dartmoor National Park.
Historically the parish consisted of a number of farmsteads and associated cottages scattered around the focal point of Holy Trinity church and the adjacent Gidleigh Castle
Gidleigh Castle
Gidleigh Castle is in the small village of Gidleigh on the edge of Dartmoor some 3 km to the north-west of the town of Chagford, Devon .This was a fortified manor house built by William de Prouz around 1324....
, which is now in private hands. The population peaked at 180 in the mid 19th century. The 20th century saw the development of some substantial gentleman's residences - notably Gidleigh Park
Gidleigh Park
Gidleigh Park is a restaurant within a hotel located in Chagford, Devon, England. The executive head chef is Michael Caines. , the restaurant holds two stars in the Michelin Guide. It was named the No 1 UK restaurant by the Sunday Times Food List on 31 October 2010.-Description:The...
, which subsequently became a country house hotel - and the building of a village hall. The population is currently around the 130 mark. Gidleigh has never had a village shop, and residents rely on nearby Chagford
Chagford
Chagford is a small town and civil parish on the north-east edge of Dartmoor, in Devon, England, close to the River Teign. It is located off the A382, about 4 miles west of Moretonhampstead. The name Chagford is derived from the word chag, meaning gorse or broom, and the ford suffix indicates its...
for shops and other services.
Scorhill
Scorhill
Scorhill Stone Circle is now the commonly known name for Gidleigh Stone Circle or Steep Hill Stone Circle, one of Devon's biggest and most intact stone circles, situated on Gidleigh Common near the village of Gidleigh in the north nast of Dartmoor, in the United Kingdom...
, one of the largest and best preserved stone circle
Stone circle
A stone circle is a monument of standing stones arranged in a circle. Such monuments have been constructed across the world throughout history for many different reasons....
s in Devon, is near the village on Gidleigh Common.
In fiction
Gidleigh is the setting for "The Mad Monk of Gidleigh" by Michael JecksMichael Jecks
Michael Jecks is a writer of historical mystery novels. The son of an Actuary, and the fourth of four brothers, he worked in the computer industry before becoming a novelist full time in 1994 – a decision forced on him when he was fired from his last position...
, which is set in 1323.