Shute is a village, parish and former manor located 3 miles (5 km) west of Axminster in East Devon, off the A35 road.
century member of the family, Margaret Pole, is commemorated by an alabaster sculptured panel depicting her greeting her daughters at the gates of heaven.
In 1981 the vicar of St Michael's and his wife founded the Shute Theatre and Arts Guild (STAG).
STAG perform regular productions in the church and in nearby Kilmington Village Hall to this day.
Previous guests have included the authors Phillipe Sands, Sophie Hannah, Tracy Chevalier, Christina Lamb, and Sir Anthony Selden.