Chew Magna (originally Bishop’s Chew) is a village on the Chew, 3 m.  W. from Pensford Station.  As its appearance suggests, it was once a small town.  The main street has a raised causeway and several old houses.  The church, supposed to have been built by Bishop Beckington, whose arms appear on the fabric, is a large and stately building with a lofty Perp.  W. tower.  It has N. and S. aisles, but no clerestory.  The S. arcade is Dec.  A fine gilded Perp. screen stretches right across the church.  Note (1) round-headed piscinas in sanctuary and S. aisle, (2) Norm. font.  There are several interesting monuments:  (1) in S. chapel an elaborate Elizabethan tomb with recumbent effigies of E. Baber and wife (1575), (2) in N. chapel an altar-tomb with effigies of a gigantic knight and a diminutive lady (Sir J. St Loe and wife), (3) in recess beneath window in S. aisle a gaudily painted wooden figure of Sir John Hautville (temp. Henry VII.), said to have been brought from Norton Hautville Church (see Stanton Drew).  The churchyard contains the base of a cross.  At the entrance to the churchyard is a fine old mediaeval building with a good roof, where the manorial courts were once held.  Hard by is Chew Court, an old manor house, possessing a Tudor gateway with a solar above.  Down a lane leading off from the Chew Stoke road is the Manor House, rebuilt in 1656 on the site of an earlier residence.

Chew Stoke, a village 4-1/2 m.  S.W. from Pensford Station.  The church stands back from the road, and has a graceful tower (restored), with spirelet.  The building is Dec., but much restored.  On the R. hand side of lane leading to the church is the old rectory, a quaint 15th-cent. building, with small octagonal turrets and a front much decorated with heraldic devices.

Chewton Mendip, a prepossessing village, held in some repute by sightseers, on the N.E. edge of the Mendips, 5 m.  N.N.E. from Wells.  It may be reached from either Hallatrow (G.W.R.) or Binegar (S. & D.) Stations.  Its chief attraction is its singularly interesting church, which possesses one of the most stately towers in the county.  This, as the most meritorious feature, should perhaps be noticed first.  The arrangement of double belfry windows in the two upper stages is unusual, and the conventional lines of the elaborately pierced parapet above are relieved by the projecting stair turret and spirelet.  The general effect is rich and impressive.  The figure of our Lord, surrounded by four pairs of adoring angels, over the W. doorway should also be observed (cp.  Batcombe).  In the body of the church note should be taken of the good Norm. doorway forming the N. entrance.  The interior is remarkable for an ugly bit of mediaeval vandalism.  To render the altar observable from all parts of the church, a Norm. triplet, which once formed the chancel arch, has been mutilated; a pointed arch has been inserted, and the corner of the S. wall