Stokenham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stokenham |
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| Population | 1,895 (2011 census) |
| Civil parish |
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| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
Stokenham is a village and a type of local government area called a civil parish. It is located in the South Hams area of Devon, England. In 2011, about 1,895 people lived in the parish.
Contents
How to Say Stokenham
Most towns in England that end with "-ham" say the "ham" part very softly. For example, in Birmingham, you stress the first part of the name. Stokenham is different! You say the "ham" part clearly and strongly.
Places in Stokenham Parish
The civil parish of Stokenham includes the main village and several smaller places. These include Torcross, Beesands, Hallsands, Kellaton, Kernborough, Dunstone, Beeson, Chillington, and Bickerton. All these places are part of the South Hams district.
| Point | Coordinates (Links to map resources) |
OS Grid Ref | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beesands | 50°15′11″N 3°39′26″W / 50.253°N 3.6572°W | SX818406 | |
| Torcross | 50°16′00″N 3°39′13″W / 50.2666°N 3.6535°W | SX822420 |
History of Stokenham
The village of Stokenham has a long history. In old Saxon times, it was known as Stoc or Stoc Hamme. This name meant "Stoc meadows." By the 1200s, it was called Stoke in Hamme.
During the Mediaeval period, a local saint named St. Humbert the Confessor was honored in the town.
In the 1800s, the area was famous for its delicious crabs. During World War II, just before D-day, people living in Stokenham had to leave their homes for safety.
Geography of Stokenham
To the east of Stokenham parish is Start Bay, which is part of the English Channel. The main road that goes through the parish is the A379. This road connects Stokenham to nearby towns like Kingsbridge to the west and Dartmouth to the north.
Local Landmarks
The Parish Church
The church you see today was built in 1431. Before that, there was an even older church from the Norman period.
The church is a great example of a style called "perpendicular medieval architecture." It is built on a hill, so you can see its full length from below. The church is dedicated to St Michael and All Angels. Churches on high places were often dedicated to St Michael. However, it was also dedicated to St Barnabas and, even earlier, to St Humbert the Confessor.
Stokenham Manor House
Right next to the church is where the old Stokenham manor house used to be. A manor house was a large house where the lord of the area lived. This manor house was left empty in 1585. It might have been there since at least the 1100s.
The Local Pub
The Tradesman's Arms is an old pub and restaurant. It was built in the 1300s and part of its roof is made of thatch.
Sadly, in September 2021, a fire started in the kitchen. It badly damaged the pub and three homes next to it.
