St Andrew's Church

St Andrew’s Church stands in the quiet village of Old Cleeve on the edge of Exmoor in Somerset. Built in the 12th century, it is one of the oldest churches in the region and holds Grade I listed status. The building passed through the hands of Bec Abbey, Wells Cathedral and Cleeve Abbey before the Dissolution. In 1425 it was largely rebuilt, and a new western tower was added around 1533. The porch floor still shows a heart-shaped pattern of alabaster stones laid in the 17th century. The church’s long history is visible in its architecture and ownership. Robert FitzGerold first gave the church to a Norman abbey, while William de Roumare later transferred it to Wells Cathedral. These links show how the building connected Somerset to distant monastic communities. The 15th-century rebuilding and 16th-century tower show how the church grew over time. The alabaster floor in the porch is a rare survival from the 17th century. Inside, visitors find a simple nave with a chancel and a tall western tower. The cobbled porch floor with its heart pattern draws attention to the craftsmanship of earlier centuries. The church sits within the benefice of Old Cleeve, Leighland and Treborough, part of the Exmoor deanery. Its quiet setting on the edge of Exmoor offers a peaceful place to reflect on centuries of history.