Withiel Florey lies 7 miles NE of Dulverton in west Somerset, within the modern Exmoor National Park. The church is in an isolated position with Castle Hill Farm the only nearby building. The churchyard looks like a naturally defensive position, and its rounded shape suggests the possibility of an earthwork or even a repurposed Celtic site. The church of St Mary Magdalene consists of a W tower, nave with S porch and chancel. The church was nearly demolished in 1959 but was fortunately saved for posterity and re-opened in 1961. Although the present building has 12thc origins, the only surviving Romanesque element is the font.

In 904 Edward the Elder gave all his manors surrounding Taunton to the Bishop of Winchester, including Withiel. The Bishop's ownership was confirmed in DB, with Taunton Priory running them by 1110. The Augustinian canons of the Priory may have been responsible for the first stone church; its dedication to St Mary Magdalene is also that of the principal church of Taunton. The Priory sub-let its holdings to lay tenants, the names of which are known from the 13thc.

While the font is not in a prestigious context or highly elaborate in terms of sculpture, it has neverthless been carefully designed and well-executed. This suggests it was the work of skilled craftsmen.