Lew House (or Lewtrenchard Manor) was built in the early 17th century (a datestone says 1620) but was altered considerably by the Victorian squire and parson Sabine Baring-Gould who resided there for many years.

He did a great deal of work restoring St. Peter's Church and his home Lew House, which has been preserved as he rebuilt it and is now a hotel.

[1] The rood screen, carved by the Pinwill sisters, is impressive and was designed to resemble the one installed in 1523-24: it is adorned by 23 paintings, by Sabine Baring-Gould's daughter, Margaret (Daisy), 11 of the life of Jesus and 12 of Westcountry saints, and was completed in 1915.

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle states that in 825 (adjusted date) a battle was fought involving the "West Welsh" and the "Defnas".

He gave the name Galford a Celtic origin (Gafi a holdfast, and ffordd a road),[3] though a more recent derivation is Gafol-ford meaning tax/tribute ford.