St Mary the Virgin, Kilve

The ancient parish of Kilve lies on what was once affectionately called the Watchet/Stogursey coastal route. It was listed in the Domesday Book back in 1086 as Clive, probably after the cliffs that dominate the coastline along this part of Somerset. The village lies within the Quantock Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the first AONB to be established, in 1957.

The coast at Kilve is also an important geological area, where the Jurassic rocks form a spectacular backdrop to the fossil-rich beaches, where ammonites and marine reptile remains are often found by fossil hunters, young and old.

There are close to 400 people and 170 households in Kilve, and the vibrant village enjoys a wealth of amenities including an excellent public house, The Hood Arms, a village hall hosting many and varied activities, a well-stocked village shop and Post Office, a very successful cricket club, the Chantry and its tea rooms and, of course, St Mary’s church