Staple Fitzpaine, Taunton, Somerset
The sleepy village of Staple Fitzpaine is snuggled in the Blackdown Hills, on what local folk know as ‘the back road to Taunton’. The backdrop is one of softly rolling hills, winding country lanes and woodland, all within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; the village itself is a cluster of centuries old cottages, a very nice manor house and a church with Norman origins.
At the crossroads in Staple Fitzpaine there are a few huge sandstone boulders; legend has it that the devil threw them at the church from up on the hill at Castle Neroche – but they fell short. For this reason they are often referred to as ‘devilstones’ and it’s said that if you prick them with a pin they bleed. Don’t you just love West Country folklore?
Good reasons for stopping at Staple Fitzpaine are as a starting point for a walk up to Staple Hill, to have a gander round the church, and for a bite to eat at The Greyhound Inn where the ethos is pub food, done properly.
All information correct at the time of writing