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Village

Harpley is a small inland village which dates to the time of Domesday Book, if not earlier, and the name probably refers to salt-panning (from the 'salt-harp', a filter used in salt manufacture in medieval times). Northwest of the village are remains of Bronze Age round barrows, and a Neolithic long barrow stands on Harpley Common.

The historic church of St Lawrence boasts a lovely angel roof, with a restored 14th-century rood screen and lovely carved wooden pews from 1638. Perhaps the most impressive feature is the beautifully carved south door, decorated with a panoply of figures of saints, Tudor roses, the Four Latin Doctors, crockets, and religious symbols within an arrangement of decorative niches. The effect is simply stunning.

The church itself is primarily 13th century and has an excellent example of 14th-century stained glass in the east window of the south aisle. One curiosity is that several French nobles are buried in the churchyard. They settled here after escaping from the French Revolution.

There's a superb historic local pub, The Rose & Crown, with a fantastic atmosphere and a great, seasonal menu that’s regularly changed.


The Rose and Crown Inn, Harpley

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