England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Stringston St Mary the Virgin

The Parish

The parish of Stringston lies in the northern part of South Somerset close to its Bristol Channel coast. Stringston lies about 10 miles northwest of the market town of Bridgwater just east of the Quantock Hills. Stringston is sited to the east of the A39 road which links Bridgwater with the seaside town of Minehead on an east to west running lane. Most of Stringston (and it is small) lies around the T junction of that lane with another running south from it. Stringston lies about 2 miles from Somerset's Bristol Channel coastline, the area is gently undulating pasture countryside with cattle farming predominating. Stringston lies at about 70 metres above sea level and is shielded to the north by an outlier of the Quantocks which rises to an additional 50 metres, most drainage is heading eastwards towards the Stogursey Brook which makes its way to the Bristol Channel. Stringston parish was relatively small for a West Country parish at almost 1,200 acres it supported only around 150 parishioners. In Domesday times most of land was held by one Ranulf, although the King held a piece directly. The parish supported a mere 5 ploughs as well as having meadows and pastures mainly supporting sheep.

The Church

The church at Stringston received its modern dedication to St Mary the Virgin only recently, in Pevsner's day the dedication was unknown. The church sits at the heart of the parish tucked away behind the cottages. The church was largely rebuilt in the 1870s and as such much of historical interest was lost or masked. The original building, from fragments remaining, was clearly Perpendicular in style and probably of the 14th century. The present building clearly didn't impress Pevsner as he dispatches the description in less than a handful of lines. Access to the church is a little concealed, a wooden gate gives access to a gravel track which finally enters the graveyard. The area is relatively clear of obstructions making for a straightforward photographic site.