In the heart of God,
in the heart of the countryside

Welcome to the website for the Bishops Lydeard Benefice

We are currently recruiting for a full time Rector for the Benefice.
Click here to read our Parish Profile

For the individual churches please contact in the first instance one of the churchwardens as set out on the Contacts page. Two retired clergy have offered to assist in covering services, baptisms, weddings and funerals and in the Benefice: Revd. Martin Perry Tel: 01823 652683 and email:bask4faith@yahoo.co.uk and Revd. Maureen Young Tel: 01984 632624 and email: reverendmaureenyoung@gmail.com

The Benefice consists of five parishes at the gateway to the Quantocks: these are Bishops Lydeard, West Bagborough, Cothelstone, Lydeard St Lawrence and Combe Florey. The Benefice is situated in one of the most beautiful parts of Somerset at the heart of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, tucked under the south-western edge of the Quantock Hills. The Exmoor National Park is a few miles to the west and the north Somerset coast has its own rugged beauty. The area is a favourite with holiday-makers whether they are sun-seekers, fossil hunters or walkers, and the terminus of the West Somerset Railway at Bishops Lydeard is a ‘Mecca’ for railway enthusiasts. If you are a visitor please do make our churches your spiritual home during your stay.

Churches in the Benefice are open for community worship and private prayer. We warmly invite you drop in to be nurtured by the peace and holiness of these beautiful places of worship.

Please click here to see opening hours for individual churches.

Aerial photograph of Combe Florey used by kind permission of Robin Cleverley