South Zeal is a small town, with a population of approximately 1300, and lies within the parish of South Tawton. The town is situated inside of the Dartmoor National Park, and the skyline to the south is dominated by the very impressive dome of Cosdon Beacon (previously known as Cawsand). The historic elements of the town has resulted in it being designated a nationally important Conservation Area, because of the well preserved integrity of the historic New Town layout and the Burgage Plots.
The town was founded in 1264 when Robert de Tony, Lord of the Manor of South Tawton, obtained royal permission to form a borough and built a new town along the main route from Exeter to Cornwall. The layout, which can still be clearly seen today, was built around a wide central street, a wide green and market place. From this main street long narrow strips of land extended from it at right angles, these are the Burgage Plots. The use of these plots ranged from agriculture, to ancillary workshops for small scale industry. The town was originally called Sele Tony, which later became South Sele, and finally South Zeal.
St Mary's church is an ancient Guild Chapel, and was set at the heart of the 13th century 'new town' built by Robert de Tony. In the church garden there is a 14th century cross, that according to the note inside the church, was repaired in 1838 by a resident of South Zeal. During the Reformation St. Mary's fell into disrepair and at some point was transformed into a school. During this period the church garden was created when three thatched cottages were demolished c.1877.
To work out the coordinates for the final you need to go to the church and find the following information.
1) The number of bells above the doorway time three = A
2) On the SE side of the church the top plaques date = 18BB
3) The number of brackets on the door times two = C
N 50 43.ABA W 003 54.ACA
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