Oake History

An extract taken from 'A popular history of West Somerset'
by Edward Jeboult dated 1893

A small parish, situated five and a half miles West of Taunton, four and a half miles North West of Wellington. It was formerly Ac, Acha - Ache or Oke, and derives its name from the oak tree, probably once very abundant in this neighbourhood. There are four places in this county which take their simple titles from the names of trees - namely Ash, Elm, Halse and Oak. At the time of the Norman Survey by william I. Oake is thus described:- Goisfrid holds of Roger, Ache. Domno held it in the time of King Edward,...There is a mill of four shillings rent and seventeen acres of pastures and ten acres of wood. In Milverton a house pays eleven pence. The whole is worth four pounds. When he received it it was worth fifty shillings." It was one of those places belonging to the Manor of Taunton, under the Bishop of Winchester.

Oake lies in a flat, well-wooded country, traversed with deep roads, once very miry and almost impassable after wet weather.

The Malets of Enmore, formerly held the manor. It then passed to the Trivets and the Cokers. Oake was at one time held on the Manor of Compton Dundon.

The Church is small, plain edifice, dedicated to Saint Bartholomew, and consists of nave, South aisle and chancel. It is principally built of red and grey sandstone. It stands in a field, in apparently an almost deserted spot. The building is rough-cast, and covered with whitewash, altogether reminding us of the neglect of the 8th century, there being hardly a trace of a path from the road to it. The rectory is about three-quarters of a mile to the East.

Near the church are schools, supported by subscription. There was formerly a small free school, endowed with about thirty shillings a year.

Oake lies on the new red sandstone formation. The soil is loamy and produces large crops.

The railway from Taunton to Barnstaple runs through this neighbourhood.

The parish is mostly tenanted by a few farmhouses and labourers' cottages.

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In preparation for the building of Saxon Close, the Pig and Whistle bridge which carried the road from the B3227 to Oake, was demolished. The mini roundabout at the entrance to Saxon Close was constructed in its place.The picture on the right shows the road over the bridge running along the left of undeveloped agricultural land with the barn (now repaired) situated on the edge of the recreation field of the more recently built village hall.