CROWCOMBE, a village and a parish in Williton district, Somerset. The village stands under the Quantock hills, near the Taunton and Watchet railway, 7 miles NNE of Wiveliscombe; and has a station on the railway, a post office under Taunton, and an inn. It was formerly a market-town and borough; and it still has fairs on the first Friday of May, the Monday after 1 Aug., and 31 Oct. It is a neat and romantic place; and commands a fine view to the west. The parish includes also the hamlet of Flaxpool. Acres, 3, 176. Real property, £4, 163. Pop., 573. Houses, 116. The property is divided among a few. The manor belonged formerly to the Biccombes; and belongs now to the Carews. Crowcombe Court, the seat of the Carews, is a red brick mansion, with portico and wings; stands amid highly picturesque grounds; and contains a fine collection of paintings and curiosities. The church is later English and good; has an embattled tower, which was formerly surmounted by a spire; and contains monuments of the Carews. Crowcombe-Heathfield is a meet for the West Somerset hounds. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Bath and Wells. Value, not reported.* Patron, R. Harvey, Esq. A sculptured cross is in the churchyard; and another is in the neighbourhood. Charities, £66.

(John Marius Wilson, Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (1870-72))