Four miles south of Taunton the road to Chard leaves the parish of Thurlbear and in a series of narrow bends enters the parish of Staple Fitzpaine. The road descends to Smokey Bottom where the air used to be full of fumes from a lime kiln. At the crest of the hill there is a wide view of the village and the surrounding farms leading to Castle Neroche and the wooded heights of Staple Hill. There is a stream which from the time of Domesday worked a mill. At the crossroads are the almshouses.

They are close to the Church which has one of the most beautiful towers in Somerset. Beyond is the Manor House and on the left the school. Left here is the  road to St. Pauls & Bickenhall. Straight on is to Bulford where the road enters the parish of Curland. Then leaving Cross's farm on the left and South Hill farm on the right it passes Curland Church and re-enters the parish of Staple.
(Edited text from Sixsmith's  "Staple Fitzpaine and the Forest of Neroche" 1957) - arp