The village was referred to in 1242 as "Godwineston", meaning "the farm or settlement of Godwin". It has an unspoilt Norman church, built about 1100. The church has not been used for regular worship since 1982, but in 1996 it was vested in the Churches Conservation Trust. It was extensively repaired in 1997, and in 2006 it was understood to be still consecrated.

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