SOMERSET HERITAGE CENTRE
 Somerset
Heritage Centre
Brunel Way, Langford Mead, Norton Fitzwarren
Taunton, TA2 6SF
Telephone 01823 278805
(enquiries)
01823 337600 (appointments)
Please make an appointment if you need a
guaranteed place in the
searchroom.
Fax 01823 347459
Email archives@somerset.gov.uk
http://www1.somerset.gov.uk/archives/
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We
exist to find, preserve and make available
written records of
Somerset's people and communities.
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The Somerset Archives and
Local
Studies Service offers:
 Free access
for you to do your own
research, using archives such as parish,
family, school and
business records
Accepting
documents relating to Somerset.
An archives
online
catalogue.
An
Education
and Learning Service, taking history to
schools, colleges and the
wider community.
A
Research
Service if you can't visit in person.
Talks and
exhibitions
A
consultation and advice service in North
Somerset libraries.
Advice on document
repair, handling and storage.
Please note
that our
searchroom is currently very busy, and so on
some days we cannot
accommodate microfiche or document users who
have not made an
appointment. To avoid disappointment,
please book a place by
contacting us a few days before
you would like to come in.
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The Somerset Archives and Local Studies
Service is provided by Somerset County
Council and holds many millions of
original documents, ranging in
date from the eighth century AD to the present
day. It forms part
of the Somerset
Heritage Service, with Historic
Environment, Museums
and the
Victoria County History, all of which
are housed at the Somerset
Heritage Centre. |
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Great
British Heritage Pass
- Visit Britain with the Great British Heritage Pass -
the best of
British sightseeing and historic Britain for UK
visitors. Get free
entry to almost 600 British heritage tourist
attractions around
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
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SOMERSET
JEWISH SOCIAL & CULTURAL GROUP
We are a growing
group. We've been
together for about one year and there
are approximately 30 people in
the group -of all ages, singles,
couples, and some with partners of
other faiths. We vary in our levels of
observance, but we all 'click'
very well, and we love to welcome new
members -I guarantee you'll have
a great time! Our aim appears to be
socialising, nosh and talks from
group members.
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Contact
:
Jane Warner,
email janecarolewarner@hotmail.com |
Tel
No 01823 289085
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THE
PARISHES OF WEST SOMERSET
Places
of Interest In West Somerset By Parish Under
re-construction
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ATTRACTION
BY
PARISH
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Picture
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Address
& Opening Times
and Click Through Website Link
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Tel/
Fax
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BICKNOLLER
- CHURCH OF ST.GEORGE
The
Church of
St George in Bicknoller dates from the 12th
century and has been
designated as a Grade I listed building. The church is
dominated by a
huge elm tree in its grounds.The church is decorated
with a collection
of carved angels and nightmarish animal heads.There is
a memorial to
William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury, who spent
his holidays in the
village from 1933–44
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8
Church Lane, Bicknoller,
Somerset TA4 4EW
MAP
ST
GEORGE
CLICK
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tel:
01984 656585
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WIMBLEBALL
LAKE
Wimbleball
lies
just
within Exmoor
National Park. Its 374 acres of water and 500
acres of
surrounding woodland
and meadow offer recreation for all. |
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Brompton
Regis,
nr
Dulverton
All
year
round.
WIMBLEBALL
LAKE
CLICK |
Tel:
01938 371372 |
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BRUSHFORD
- CHURCH OF ST. NICHOLAS
The
Anglican
parish Church of St Nicholas in Brushford, was
built in the 15th
century, and has been designated as a Grade I listed
building . The church has a
medieval screen, 13th century font and
possibly the oldest parish chest in the country,
hollowed from a tree
trunk. The roof was at one
time covered with
pegged oak planks. Some of these were discovered
during repairs in 2001
and 2002 and suggest that it once had Roof shingles. The Herbert memorial chapel includes a chest
tomb with
effigy of Aubrey Herbert of Pixton Park, the
Conservative Member of
Parliament (MP) for the Southern division of Somerset
from 1911 to
1918, and for Yeovil from 1918 until his death in
1923, by Cecil de
Banquiere Howard of Paris under a wooden canopy
designed by Edwin
Lutyens. The parish is within
the benefice of
Dulverton with Brushford, Brompton Regis, Upton and
Skilgate which is
part of the Exmoor deanery
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St Nicholas
Brushford,
Somerset, TA229AP
MAP
CHURCH
OF
ST NICHOLAS CLICK
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Carhampton
Carhampton
parish
straddles the National Park boundary on its
nort-east side. Probably
named after St Carantacus, the Welsh Saint to
whom the church is
dedicated. Ham and ton are Saxon names used also
in Early English. Ham
means a homestead but in the West Country it is
often more specific in
meaning a homestead on low lying ground near a
stream. Ton is a word
that developed in meaning from an enclosure
around a homestead to a
farm to a village and a town.
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Civil parish |
1,195
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Williton Rural
District |
 51°10′N
3°25′W / 51.17°N
3.42°W / 51.17;
-3.42 (Carhampton,
Somerset) |
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CARHAMPTON
- CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST
The
Church of
St John the Baptist in Carhampton, is a Grade I listed
Anglican church. The first
church in the village stood to
the eats of the present church and was dedicated to St
Carantoc a Welsh
monk of the 6th century. The
present church was
mainly built in the Perpendicular period of the
fifteenth century,
however it was largely rebuilt in 1862-1863 with
further work in tower
rebuilt 1868-70 to rebuild the tower and add a
vestry.Previously it had
a low tower with a tiled top.
The wooden pulpit and a painted wooden
screen
from the previous building and date from around 1500,[
along with some
of the monuments and bells from the earlier church. The church is within the benefice of
Dunster, Carhampton,
Withycombe w Roduish, Timberscombe and Wootton
Courtenay, which is part
of the Exmoor deanery and the Taunton archdeanery.
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CLATWORTHY
RESERVOIR
Clatworthy Reservoir is situated in the Brendon Hills,
on the edge of
the Exmoor National Park, in the west of Somerset. The
reservoir was
created in 1958 by impounding water from the River Tone
by building a
concrete dam across the valley. The site is home to a
variety of
wildlife, including geese, grebes, swans, roe deer, red
deer, and
badgers. Clatworthy is popular with anglers who fish
either from the
banks or from a boat for brown and rainbow trout in the
over one
billion gallons of water the reservoir usually holds.
Walkers can walk
the perimeter of the reservoir in around three hours
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Clatworthy reservoir
TA4 2EJ
CLATWORTHY
RESERVOIR
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CROWCOMBE -
CHURCH OF THE HOLY GHOST
The Church of the Holy Ghost in Crowcombe, has a tower
dating from the
14th century with the rest of the building being dated
at the 15th
century. It has been designated by English Heritage as a
Grade I listed
building. There was a previous church on the site,
possible
dating from the Saxon era. The north chapel is
known as the Carew
Chapel and was used by the lords of the manor who lived
in the nearby
Crowcombe Court. In 1724 the spire was damaged by
a lightning
strike. The top section of the spire was removed and is
now planted in
the churchyard and stone from the spire was used
in the flooring
of the church. Inside the church carved bench-ends,
dating from 1534 ,
depict such pagan subjects as the Green Man and the
legend of the men
of Crowcombe fighting a two-headed dragon. The parish is
part of the
Quantock Towers benefice within the Quantock
deanery. Opposite
the church is the Church House and Pound which was built
around 1515
for parish functions. It is a Grade II* listed building
and was
refurbished in 2007.
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Crowcombe,
Somerset TA4 4AR
CHURCH OF
THE HOLY GHOST
CLICK
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CROWCOMBE CHURCH HOUSE
The
Church House, close to the parish church, is thought
to be the oldest
of its kind in England still used for its original
purpose. As far as
is known, the building dates from the 16th Century.
The lower floor was
once used as almshouses for Crowcombe village poor,
while the upper
storey housed a charity school. The Church House was
restored by local
people and now holds art exhibitions on the upper
floor as well as
other community events.
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Crowcombe,
Somerset TA4 4AR |
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CROWCOMBE
COURT
The magnificent
house at
Crowcombe Court was built in the 1730s in
the English Baroque style from beautiful amber
coloured bricks with
Bath stone for the pilasters and frontispiece. Grade 1 listed, it is
available as a
wedding venue and hire for private parties and events.The
public rooms
are exceptional and experienced owners David and Kate
Kenyon add to the unique atmosphere provided by this
exclusive venue.
Standing proudly in its own vale on the edge of the
Quantock Hills,
Crowcombe Court offers a taste of Edwardian luxury you
will never
forget. |
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Crowcombe
Court
Crowcombe
Somerset
TA4 4AD
email:
info@crowcombecourt.co.uk
CROWCOMBE
COURT
CLICK |
tel:
07818 506151 |
CROWCOMBE
HEATHFIELD STATION
Crowcombe Heathfield Station on the West Somerset
Railway has a booking
office and prices from this Station can be found on
our Fares
Pages. There is also a small shop and toilet
facilities as well as a
disabled persons accessable toilet on the
station. We
have hot and
cold drinks, cakes and biscuits available every day
trains are
running. On Gala days this is widened to
include hot savoury
snacks,
soups and a coal fire to welcome you during the cold
weather! |
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CROWCOMBE
MARKET CROSS
Take
the west road out of Crowcombe village and you’ll come
upon the 14th
Century market cross situated near the entrance to
Crowcombe Court and
the Carew Arms. The manor was granted the right to
hold a market in the
13th Century and the cross marks the site of the
ancient market and
fair which was first recorded in 1234. The stone cross
consists of a
slender shaft with a Greek cross on its top, set on an
octagonal base.
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Crowcombe,
Somerset TA4 4AD |
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WHEDDON
CROSS
Wheddon Cross grew around the cross roads when the
Minehead to
Bampton turnpike was built in the 1820's. The
settlement is the highest
on Exmoor and the highest point on Exmoor, Dunkery
Beacon, which is
1704 feet above sea level, is the focal point of our
village. Wheddon
Cross is situated on the crossroads of the main routes
that run between
Minehead and Dulverton (from north to south) and from
Taunton through
to North Devon (from east to west).In recent times the
village has become
famous for its snowdrops in
the nearby Avill Valley which bloom each February
where a park and ride
system is available to see this beautiful sight. The
Coleridge Way
passes by and there are many great walks on the
moorland, wooded
valleys and through farmland. The village is a great
starting point for
walking, riding and wildlife watching throughout the
year surrounded by
beautiful countryside. An abundance of wildlife can
be viewed here and
Exmoor ponies can be seen on Dunkery Beacon also red
deer are often
spotted on the nearby moorland and fields.
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Wheddon
Cross
Somerset
TA24 7DR |
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BARLE
VALLEY SAFARIS
Barle Valley Safaris was founded in 1998 by Alison Simms
and Duncan
Waller with one Land Rover. Entering its' tenth season
the firm now
takes passengers from Minehead and carries 2,000
visitors a year to
explore the Exmoor National Park. Spacious 110 Land
Rover takes
leisurely trails of discovery through steeply wooded
valleys, by clear
rushing rivers and over the dramatic windswept moors.
Using seldom
frequented tracks and ancient byeways inaccessible by
car, searching
out the elusive red deer and famous Exmoor ponies in
their natural
environment.Your driver describes the many aspects of
the countryside
while pointing out fauna and flora along the way. There
are stops to
look at things of interest and plenty of opportunities
for
photography. The safaris cover the areas
popularised by local
character Johnny Kingdom in his BBC2 series 'A Year on
Exmoor'. A
typical tour lasts about three hours and is suitable for
all age groups. |
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Goosemoor Station
Cottage
Wheddon Cross
Somerset TA24 7BY
BARLE
VALLEY
SAFARIS CLICK |
Tel: 01643 851386
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 Dulverton
Dulverton
is a small town
in Western Somerset, and includes the small
hamlet of Battleton. Close to the border with
Devon, it is a popular
tourist spot for visiting Exmoor as it is inside
the park’s boundaries;
the park’s authorities are even established
here. It is in the southern
area of Exmoor National Park. The town was
established as early as
1084, though many of the buildings today range
from the Georgian to the
Victorian era. Dulverton is set in the beauty of
Exmoor National Park
which has 367 square miles of protected
moorland, ancient forests and
steep valleys. Contemporary shopping and a
good range of
incredibly fine dining through to countryside
pub fayre can be found in
Dulverton.
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Town |
1,632
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Dulverton
Rural District |
51°03′N
3°33′W / 51.05°N
3.55°W / 51.05;
-3.55 (Dulverton) |
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ALL SAINTS
CHURCH
The original church of All Saints was probably
13th Century. The tower is the oldest part and
contains a clock, which
is around three hundred years old. Inside hangs an oil
painting of The
Last Supper, a replacement rood screen which was
erected in 1902, and
some beautiful windows. There’s a famous connection
here; one of the
windows is in memory of the 3rd Earl of Carnarvon, an
ancestor of the
Earl of Carnarvon who, along with Howard Carter,
discovered the tomb of
Tutankhamen. |
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Dulverton,
Somerset TA22 9ER |
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DULVERTON
BRIDGE
Dulverton
Bridge,
also known as Barle Bridge, carries the B3222 across
the River
Barle at the 'bottom' of Dulverton town. It was
originally built in the
medieval period, although it has been repaired and
widened several
times over the centuries. Consisting of 5 stone
arches, the bridge
crosses the river on the western fringe of this small
Exmoor town. It
is recorded that the bridge was repaired in 1624,
presumably following
flood damage, and again in 1866 and 1953. It had also
been widened in
1819 although it is still only just wide enough for
vehicles to pass,
and doesn't have a pavement.
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DULVERTON
BY STARLIGHT
Dulverton
by
Starlight is a magical event held every year, open to
all. Every
December the pretty Exmoor town of Dulverton is
decorated with
christmas trees festooned with lights, and for one
Sunday all of the
shops are open for people to do some local christmas
shopping.
Festivities take place all afternoon with a grand
finale firework
display from the top of the church tower to end the
day.
Dulverton has a wealth of independent
shops,
businesses, organisations, restaurants, takeaways,
pubs, cafes and tea
rooms all of whom help to make this a special place to
visit not just
for Starlight but all year round.
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DULVERTON
BY
STARLIGHT CLICK
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DULVERTON
GUILDHALL HERITAGE AND ARTS CENTRE
The
Guildhall
Heritage and Arts Centre is situated behind the Exmoor
National Park
Centre/ Dulverton Library. Open seven days a week from
Early April to
the end of October, with free admission, it gives
visitors a taste of
old Dulverton, a main exhibition which changes either
annually or every
2 years plus a varied programme of short term
exhibitions. The shop has
a variety of souvenirs and local crafts.
OPENING HOURS Monday to Friday: 10.00
a.m. to
4.30 p.m. Saturday: 10.00 a.m. to 1.00
p.m. Sunday:
2.00 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.
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DULVERTON
GUILDHALL
HERITAGE
AND
ARTS
CENTRE CLICK
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DULVERTON
TOWN HALL
Dulverton, at the southern edge of Exmoor, had
its wide main street planned with fairs and markets in
mind. The Market
Hall, which was built in the 18th Century, became the
Town Hall in
1927. Unusual arched steps were added to the outside
of the building to
enable access to an upper room used for meetings and a
multitude of
other activities. There was once a cinema here and
it’s now a lively
venue for fairs and the local Farmer’s Market.
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Fore
Street, Dulverton,
Somerset TA22 9EX
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DULVERTON
TOWN MILLS
This charming converted mill house retains many of the
original
features making Town Mills a delightful place to stay.
We are only a 2 minute walk from Dulverton town centre,
positioned in a
quiet and peaceful location next to the old Dulverton
mill stream that
runs underneath the building. Our boutique style
guest
accommodation has six light, airy and individual rooms
offering
accommodation in double and twin bedded rooms.
Relax outside our Dulverton bed and breakfast in the
centre of the town
and enjoy the gently flowing mill stream.
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Town Mills
Dulverton
Somerset
TA22 9HB
E-mail: townmillsdulverton@btinternet.com
TOWN
MILLS
CLICK
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Tel : (01398) 323124 |
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DULVERTON TARR STEPS
The Tarr
Steps
are a prehistoric clapper bridge across the River
Barle in the Exmoor
National Park, . They are located in a National
Nature Reserve
about 2.5 miles (4 km) south east of Withypool and 4
miles (6 km) north
west of Dulverton. A typical
clapper bridge
construction, the bridge possibly dates to around 1000
BC. The stone
slabs weigh up to 5 tons apiece. According to local
legend, they were
placed by the devil to win a bet. The bridge is 180
feet (55 m) long
and has 17 spans. It has been designated by
English Heritage as a
grade I listed building and Scheduled Ancient
Monument.
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Exmoor
National Park, Somerset
TARR
STEPS CLICK
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EXMOOR
NATIONAL PARK
Stunning
landscapes, wilderness and tranquillity, rare in
southern England,
ideal for ramblers, cyclists, horse riders, walkers
and wildlife
fanatics.
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Exmoor
National Park
Authority,
Exmoor House,
Dulverton, Somerset, TA22 9HL
Tel: 01398 323665
E-mail: info@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
EXMOOR
NATIONAL
PARK CLICK |
Tel:
01398 323665 |
EXMOOR
TREASURE TRAIL
Exmoor Treasure Trail
Looking for a fun and interesting way to explore
Exmoor? Don't just
wander around aimlessly, do a Treasure Trail! These
fun treasure hunts
will teach you fascinating facts about the area and
show you some
beautiful scenery. Enjoy a fun family walk in the
fresh air and solve
an intriguing mystery at the same time
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Exmoor Treasure Trail
Dulverton
Somerset
TA22 9EX
EXMOOR
TREASURE
TRAIL CLICK
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Tel : 07876 687947 |
GUIDED
WALK AROUND DULVERTON
During the summer season, volunteers from the Guildhall
Heritage and
Arts Centre lead guided walks around Dulverton,
explaining its history
and taking visitors to some of its special places.
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GUIDED
WALK
AROUND DULVERTON CLICK
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NICK HART
FLYFISHING
If you are looking for qualified fly fishing tuition, a
fly fishing
course, guide services, a fishing holiday or just plain
and simple
advice ... Nick Hart Fly Fishing can help !
Based in the
beautiful scenery of Exmoor a fly fishing course is not
just a great
way to learn a new skill but a brilliant way to relax
and unwind.
Nick Hart Fly Fishing was established in Somerset in the
early 90s as a
fly fishing school with a difference, providing one of
the only full
time fly fishing tuition and guide services available in
the U.K.
today. Fly Casting and Fishing Tuition is provided
throughout
Devon and Somerset on a host of fantastic venues, many
of them
exclusive to Nick Hart Fly Fishing. Equipment,
Permits,
Accommodation and Train or Airport pick ups can all be
arranged.
Just turn up and enjoy!
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Exe Valley
Fishery,
Exebridge,
Nr Dulverton,
Somerset, TA22 9AY
NICK
HART
FLYFISHING CLICK
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TEL 01398
323008 or 07971 198559
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Some
of The Businesses In Dulverton
Acorn
Antiques
39 High St, Dulverton,
TA22 9DW Tel: 01398 323286
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Lance
Nicholson Country Sports
9 High
Street Dulverton
Somerset South West Tel:
(01398) 323 409
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Bodmin
House Hairdressers
46 High Street,
Dulverton. Tel: 01398 323784
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Lewis'
Tea
Rooms: 13 High Street, Dulverton,
Somerset,
TA22 9HB Tel 01398 323850
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Rothwell
&
Dunworth Book Shop 2-6 Bridge
Street, Dulverton.
TA22 9HJ Tel: 01398 323169
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The
Lion Hotel 2
Bank Square, Dulverton, Tel:
01398 324437
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The
Bridge Inn 20
Bridge St,
Dulverton Tel: 1398 324130
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Louise Antiques
36 High
Street, Dulverton. TA22 9DJ
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Brimblecombe
17 High
Street, Dulverton, TA22 9HB. Tel: 01398324181
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M & H Fruit & Veg
1
Fore Street, Dulverton, TA22 9EX Tel 07816
923338
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Gerald
David Butchers
11, Fore Street,
Dulverton, Somerset, TA22 9EX.
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Nimble
Fingers
Haberdashery 23 Fore
Street, Dulverton.
TA22 9EX Tel: 01398 323688
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The
Exclusive Cake Company
19 High Street,
Dulverton. TA22 9HB. Tel: 01398 324131
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Number
Seven Gifts
7 High Street
Dulverton, TA22 9HB. Tel: 01398 324457
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Carole King
27
High Street. Dulveston, TA22 9DJ Tel:
01398 324692.
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Risdon Hosegood Solicitors |
Castlemoor
Guvenors
Hall, High St, Dulverton, Somerset TA22
9HB, Tel: 01398
323919
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The
Rock House Inn |
Catley's Fish & Chips
1
Fore St Dulverton TA22 9EX. Tel: 1398324088
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Rose Slee
Interiors 49 High Street, Dulverton,
Somerset, TA22 9DW. T: 01398 323155.
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Copper
Kettle
Tea Room : 21 Fore St, Dulverton,
Somerset, TA22 9EX Tel : 01398 323697
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Ross Cambell
Architectural Consultant 2 Lady
Street, Dulverton, Somerset TA22 9BX Tel/Fax:
01398 323001
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Doone
House
Stores - Co-op Doone House, Fore
Street, Dulverton,
Somerset TA22 9EX
Tel : 01398 323241
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Seddons
Estate
Agents |
Dulverton
Delicatessen : Fore St, Dulverton,
Somerset, TA22 9EX Tel: 01398
324662
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St
Margaret's
Hospice 14 High
Street, Dulverton, Somerset TA22 9HB Tel:
01398 324 264
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Dulverton
Hardware 4 Fore St, Dulverton,
TA22 9EX. Tel: 01398 323
389
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Stags
Estate
Agent 13 Fore St, Dulverton,
Somerset TA22
9EX, Tel: 01398 323174
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| Dulverton
Pet
Supplies |
Stanburys
Garage |
Dulverton
Pharmacy 21 High Street Dulverton
TA22
9HB 01398 323359
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The
Tantivy
Shop & Cafe |
Dulverton
Post
Office 27 Fore Street.
Dulverton. TA22 9EX
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Tondam Thai
Restaurant 26 High Street,
Dulverton, TA22 9DJ
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Exclusive Cake
Company 19
High Street, Dulverton.
TA22 9HB. Tel: 01398 324131
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Exmoor
National
Park Centre
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Town
Mills
B&B
Town Mills,
Dulverton, Somerset TA22 9HB Tel : (01398)
323124
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| Exmoor
Pony Centre |
The
Wardrobe |
Farthings
Farm
Shop 5, Bridge St, Dulverton, TA22
9H Tel: 01398 323878
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Webbers Estate Agent
Woodton
Lodge, Union Street Dulverton Somerset TA22
9ES
Tel : 01398 323271
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| High
Society
Hairdressers |
Whitehorse
Photography |
Hold
Your
Horses 37 High Street, Dulverton,
Somerset, TA22 9DW, TEL:
01398 324 290
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Woods
Wine
Bar : 4 Bank Square, Dulverton,
Somerset TA22 9BU.
Tel: 01398 324007
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| Isis
Wellbeing |
Winsbere
House
: 64 Battleton, Dulverton Exmoor, Somerset TA22
9HU Tel. 01398
323 278 |
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DUNSTER
Located just off the
A39, three miles
from the seaside resort of Minehead and at the edge
of Exmoor, you will
find one of the prettiest small towns in England -
Dunster.
Dunster was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as
Torre, meaning 'The
rocky hill' from the Old English tor. The prefix
'Duns' may well be a
reference to the Saxon Dunn, who held land in nearby
Elworthy and
Willet before 1066.
Dunster has it all - an historic castle overlooking
the town, a working
water mill, a picturesque packhorse bridge and ford,
elegant 15th
century parish church, unique octangular Yarn Market
and a long main
street lined with 17th to 19th century buildings,
now teashops, inns,
hotels and gift shops.
Many of the town's buildings are picture-book
thatched cottages, with
roses around the door and colourful cottage gardens.
The town received
its Charter from Reginald de Mohun shortly after the
Norman Conquest.
During the 12th century Dunster thrived as a trading
port, known as
Dunster Haven. However the sea retreated and
Dunster, now high and dry,
turned to the wool trade for its living. The beach
at Dunster is now a
mile or so from the town. The village is
sparsely populated with
860 residents.Each year Dunster has a country fair
around the end of
July. It features all aspects of countrylife with
live demonstrations
of equestrian, dogs, hawks, country life and even
helicopter rides and
plenty of fun attractions for the kids. Dunster
railway station is on
the West Somerset Heritage Railway, though the
station is over a mile
from the village. It is in what is known locally as
the Marsh.
The nearest main shopping centre is Minehead, 5
minutes' drive
away (2 miles).
Dunster is served by the number 28 bus from Taunton
to Minehead which
runs half-hourly and stops on the main road opposite
the entrance to
the village .There is also a bus service along
the A396 which
runs less frequently, but stops in the centre of the
village.
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Dunster
Steep,
Dunster,
Minehead, Somerset TA24 6SE
E-mail: NPCDunster®
exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
Click here to check
your distance from
Dunster
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Tel
01643
821835 |
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DUNSTER
CASTLE
From
a
feudal
stronghold
to a family
home, this magnificent castle has
breathtaking views over Exmoor
.Dunster Castle dominates the town.
Dramatically sited on a wooded
hill, a castle has existed here since at
least Norman times. The 13th
century gatehouse survives, and the
present building was remodelled in
1868-72 by Antony Salvin for the Luttrell
family, who lived here for
600 years until 1950.
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Dunster,
nr
Minehead
late Mar-Oct, Mon, Wed
and
weekends, 11am-5pm
DUNSTER
CASTLE
CLICK
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Tel:
01643 821314
Fax:
01643 823000 |
DUNSTER GALLOX
BRIDGE
Wander down the
lane next to
the tearooms, past some romantic thatched cottages,
and you will come
to a small bridge and ford. This is Gallox Bridge, a
medieval packhorse
bridge crossing the river Avill.
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Dunster,
nr
Minehead
GALLOX BRIDGE CLICK
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DUNSTER
DOLLS
MUSEUM
Unique
and
varied
collection
of over
700 dolls on show from many periods and
countries
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17
High
Street,
Dunster
Daily,
mid-Apr-Sept.
Mon-Fri: 10.30am-4.30pm; Sat-Sun
2pm-5pm.
DUNSTER
DOLLSMUSEUM
CLICK |
Tel:
01643 821220 |
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DUNSTER
DOVECOTE
A medieval
circular dovecote probably built in
the 12th century as part of a priory, can usually be
visited daily
(except Sundays) from May to September. A dovecote or
dovecot is a
building intended to house pigeons or doves, which
were an important
food source in history. In Scotland the usual term is
doocot, and the
tradition is continued in modern urban areas.
Dovecotes may be square
or circular, or even built into the end of a house or
barn and
generally contain pigeonholes where the birds nest.
The birds were kept
both for their eggs and flesh.
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Dunster,
nr
Minehead |
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GUILD
OF
CRAFTSMEN
An art
gallery
showing arts and
crafts by 48 designer craftsmen. The work is
locally made. |
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Dunster
Visitor
Centre
,
Dunster Steep, Dunster
Mon-Sun,
10am-4.30pm.
GUILD
OF CRAFTSMEN
CLICK |
Tel:
01643 821235 |
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DUNSTER
ST.GEORGES CHURCH
Below
the Castle is St. George's Church which dates mainly
from the early
15th century. The church contains many
beautiful features, the
finest being a rood-screen which stretches the full
width of the
building. The Priory Church of St George is
predominantly 15th century
with evidence of 12th and 13th century work. It was
restored in 1875–77
by George Edmund Street. The church has a cruciform
plan with a central
four-stage tower, built in 1443 with diagonal
buttresses, a stair
turret and single bell-chamber windows.
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Dunster,
nr
Minehead
PRIORY
CHURCH OF ST GEORGE
CLICK
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DUNSTER
STATION
Dunster
Station
has a booking office and sells the full range of
West Somerset
Railway fares
and indeed the tickets for the
railway are printed here
on a press
formerly used by British Railways. The
station has
toilets, but no
disabled facilities. |
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DUNSTER
TYTHE BARN
It is not certain
when
the Tithe Barn was built but, in M J A
Beacham's book "West Country Tithe Barns", we are told
that the tithes
of the De Mohun estates passed to the priory between
1090 and 1100.The
Tithe Barn is referred to as being in existence in
1498 in Maxwell
Lyte's " History of Dunster ", although on a 14th
century map of
Dunster, the priory buildings, the Dovecote and a
large building on the
site of the present Tithe Barn are shown.The
tithe,
or payment in kind, of 10% of the annual produce in
crops,
livestock, orchards and gardens was an ancient custom
in the Christian
west following the Mosaic Law and is referred to in
Deuteronomy:- "Set
aside a tithe - a tenth of all that your fields
produce each year being
the tithe of all your crops and store it in your
town". Tithes first
came to England with St Augustine (d. 604) and by the
end of the 10th
century, tithe payments had become compulsory
everywhere, and so,
during the next four or five centuries, tithe barns
were constructed to
store the produce. The Tithe Barn is owned by
the Crown Estate
Commissioners.
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Tythe
Barn
Priory Green
Dunster
Somerset
TA24 6RY
Email at
info@dunstertithebarn.co.uk
TYTHE BARN
CLICK
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Tel:
01643
821246 |
DUNSTER
WATER
MILL
Stroll down the main
street (watch
out for the traffic!) past the church and
the castle, and follow the
signs to the watermill. This is a working
mill (entrance fee) and next
to it is a pretty little tearooms with
garden by the mill stream. |
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Mill
Lane,
Dunster,TA24
6SL
Apr-Oct.
Mon-Thurs
and Sat-Sun 10.30am-5pm.
DUNSTER
WATERMILL
CLICK |
Tel:
01643 821759 |
DUNSTER
YARN MARKET
Local cloth was known as "Dunsters". In the
centre of the
town you find the unusual octangular Yarn Market,
built in 1609 to shelter
traders and their wares from the weather.
Damaged during the Civil War, it was restored in
about 1647. An
interesting feature of the building is a hole in one
of the roof beams,
a result of cannon fire in the Civil War.
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High
Street,
Dunster,
YARN MARKET CLICK
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EAST
QUANTOXHEAD COURT HOUSE
The Court House in East Quantoxhead, Somerset has a
medieval tower and
other parts of the building which date from the 17th
century. It has
been designated as a grade I listed building. It has
been owned by the
Luttrell family for many generations
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Court House
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ST MARTINS
St Martin's in the village of Elworthy is a
Churches Conservation Trust church situated on a steep
rise. The porch
is stone and the tower is squat, plain and
battlemented but the inside
of the church has a wonderful find – a coloured rood
screen, which is
dated 1632. The church consists of a nave and chancel
with some lovely
glass; a 15th Century depiction of St John the
Evangelist is contained
in an earlier 13th Century north lancet window. |
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Elworthy, Somerset
TA4 |
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DODINGTON -
ALL SAINTS CHURCH
All Saints Church at
Dodington in the
parish of Holford, was
rebuilt and enlarged in the 15th century. It has
been designated by
English Heritage as a grade I listed building. The nave was
refenestrated and re-roofed in
the 16th century, and the chancel refenestrated
early in the 17th
century, having been previously rebuilt in the 15th
century A chapel
was added in 1610, and the upper stage of the tower
added in 1772.[1]
New pews were added in 1874 and further restoration,
including the
building of the lych gate took place after World War
I. The tower had
four bells in 1933 but they are no longer rung
In the church
is a memorial to Admiral Sir
Edward Codrington
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Saints_Church,_Dodington |
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EXMOOR
FALCONRY
This
is
also
an
animal farm.Animal handling, flying
displays, 500-year-old
farmyards, in Exmoor
National Park.Herb gardens plus organic
herb shop.
|
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West
Lynch,
Allerford,
Porlock,TA24 8HJ
EXMOOR
FALCONRY
CLICK |
Tel:
01643 862816 |
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HUISH
CHAMPFLOWER - CHURCH OF ST. PETER
The Church of St Peter in Huish Champflower, dates
from the 15th
century, with the north aisle being built in 1534. It
has been
designated by English Heritage as a Grade I listed
building. It was
built on the site of an earlier Norman church although
nothing of the
previous structure remains. The tower arch dates
from 1703, and
the building was restored in 1875–80 when the chancel
arch was rebuilt.
It includes a tower with five bells, one of which was
made in 1790 by
Thomas Bilbie of the Bilbie family in Cullompton
The church
includes stained glass claimed to be from the remains of
a Jesse window
from Barlynch Priory near Dulverton, and a 15th-century
lectern. The
parish is part of the Wiveliscombe and the Hills
m[benefice]] within
the Tone deanery. A service is held at the church
once a month.
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CHURCH
OF ST PETER CLICK
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KILVE BEACH
Kilve beach is famous for its exposed rock
formations and fossils and has been designated a
geological Site of
Specific Scientific Interest. The beach and
surrounding cliffs are made
up of layers of limestone and oil-bearing shale,
dating back to around
200 million years ago; they contain some of the
earliest ammonites to
be recorded in the UK during the mid Jurassic period.
William
Wordsworth, who lived for a short time at Alfoxden
House in nearby
Holford, described the beach as ‘Kilve’s delightful
shore’ in his poem,
Anecdote for Fathers. |
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Kilve,
Somerset TA5 |
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KILVE
CHANTRY
Kilve Chantry was founded by Sir Simon de
Furneaux who was licensed to grant a house and land
in 1329, its
purpose that five priests could pray for his soul in
Kilve church.
After the building ceased to function as a chantry
at the end of the
14th Century, the land became part of the Kilve
rectory. The original
building included a refectory, stillroom, granary,
dormitory and other
monastic offices, which were used as a farmhouse
until gutted by fire
in the 1850s. Refreshments are available in the
adjoining tea-garden.
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Sea
Lane, Kilve, Somerset TA5 1EG |
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OIL RETORT
It was discovered in 1916 that the shale beds
of Kilve beach and the north Somerset coast were rich
in oil. The
Shaline Company was formed in 1924 by Dr Forbes-Leslie
to take
advantage of the discovery. The brick-built oil retort
house is
believed to be the first building to be erected for
the conversion of
shale to oil. The enterprise never really got off the
ground however as
the process was found to be too costly to make it
profitable. |
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Sea
Lane, Kilve, Somerset TA5 1EG |
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LUCCOMBE CHURCH OF ST. MARY
The parish Church of St Mary in Luccombe, Somerset,
England has a
chancel dating from about 1300, with the nave and tower
being added
around 1450. It has been designated as a grade I listed
building. It
was built by John Maris of Stogursey. In l530 the aisle
was added, and
in 1752-1756 a gallery added which was removed in 1840
when the church
was further restored and the vestry added.
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CHURCH OF ST MARY
CLICK
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CHURCH OF ALL
SAINTS CLICK
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MINEHEAD
Attractive and
welcoming to thousands of visitors every year,
Minehead has won
national awards for its beautiful floral displays.
The many flowers,
popular sea front and tidy shopping area all combine
to make a
marvellous exploration base for getting out and
about across the
glorious Exmoor countryside. Minehead is a
sheltered corner beneath the dramatic North Hill and
looks out across
the broad expanse of the Bristol Channel. Little
fishing boats adorn
the pretty harbour where, in Summer, the famous
preserved paddle
steamer Waverley and the cruise ship Balmoral may
offer you an exciting
sea trip for the day. Minehead sea
defences are a major improvement to the seafront and
provide a spacious
promenade from which to access the sandy bathing
beach and view the
bay. At night, the promenade lighting creates a
unique string of pearls effect.A short walk
from the sea front is Blenheim Park, famous for its
floral displays.
Tennis, cricket, squash, hockey. golf, bowls and
putting are all
available, and the area is superb for walking, horse
riding and fishing.The
town's major
tourist attraction is Butlins holiday camp. Other
attractions include:
the terminus of the West Somerset Railway; the
Minehead &
West Somerset Golf Club, Somerset's oldest golf
club, established in 1882. There are a variety of
sailing and wind surfing
options, in addition to the usual beach activities. In
addition, there
are many amusement arcades and a variety of well-known
high street
stores together with independent local
shops.The town is the
starting point of the South West Coast Path National
Trail, the
nation's longest long-distance countryside walking
trail.
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Minehead
Information Centre
19 The Avenue, Minehead, TA24 5AY
Open : 10-4 Monday to Saturday
11-4 Sunday
email:
minehead.visitor@hotmail.com
www.minehead.co.uk
Click
Here
to find your distance from Minehead
http://www.somersetriviera.com/onlocation/minehead.asp
|
Tel: 01643 702624 Fax:
01643
707166 |
ADVENTURE DEVELOPMENTS
Adventure Developments is a specialist provider of
Outdoor and
Adventurous Activities with many years of experience, we
are based near
Minehead with centers across the UK. Whether you
are looking for
an adventurous DAY OUT FOR THE FAMILY, organising a
CORPORATE DAY for
work or looking to offer EXTRACURICULAR ACTIVITIES for
school pupils,
we can create the right package for you. We offer
a range of
activities designed to accommodate all abilities such as
High Ropes
Courses, Climbing Walls, Snorkelling and Paintball
experiences; and
this is just a hand full of what you can enjoy when you
book an
experience with us. Adventure Developments
understands that we
are all dirrerent, and that one package doesn’t meet
everyone’s
needs. So use our website to discover the right
experience for
you or contact us direct and a member of our team will
happily help you
to create a bespoke package designed by YOU, for YOU.
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Adventure
Developments
1 Chestnut Way
MINEHEAD
Somerset
TA24 6EB
ADVENTURE
DEVELOPMENTS
CLICK
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Tel : 0845
2266517
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ALLERFORD MUSEUM
Thatched building,
domestic and
local industry items. Victorian schoolroom
with period costumes.
Large outside exhibits and riverside
garden picnic area. |
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Old
School,
Allerford,
Minehead,
TA24 8HN
ALLERFORD
MUSEUM
CLICK |
Tel:
01643 862529 |
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BUTLINS
Family
fun including the
Splash underworld sub-tropical swimming
pool.
|
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The
Seafront,
Minehead,
TA24
5SH
May-Oct,
9.30am-6pm.
BUTLINS
CLICK
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Tel:
01643
703331
Fax: 01643 705264 |
CHURCH STEPS
Church
Steps is the old entry into Higher Town, the old
part of Minehead which
lies on North Hill and was the usual way up to St.
Michael’s Church.
There are many very old thatched cottages in the
area and the sandstone
building on the left at the foot of the Steps is
the old pound, used to
hold stray animals and to lock up petty offenders
such as drunkards
overnight pending removal to the main cells.
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Minehead,
West Somerset TA24 |
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HIGHER
TOWN
Historically,
Minehead is in three sections; Higher Town on the
top of the North
Hill, Quay Town around the harbour and Lower Town.
Almost all of the
last-named was destroyed in a serious fire in 1791
but many old
cottages and houses remain around the other two.
Higher Town is
dominated by St. Michael’s Church which is a notable
landmark, visible
from many directions.
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Minehead,
West Somerset TA24 |
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MINEHEAD
EYE
Minehead EYE is an exciting and innovative project
whichprovides a
dedicated, purpose-built extreme sports skate park and
youth centre,
something that has been needed in West Somerset for a
long time. The
aim is to give the young people of West Somerset access
to facilities
which encourage creativity in sports, art, music and
media in an
exciting yet chilled environment. Minehead EYE is self
sustaining, all
revenue being generated by the centre, so we encourage
everyone to get
on their boards and bikes and come and rip it up! The
centre is split
into two main sections; a multi-purpose arena including
a skate park,
and a youth centre and cafe area. But that's just the
beginning: the
skate area can also be used as a flexible space for a
wide variety of
community activities such as gigs etc; a cafe, shop and
chill-out area;
information technology and Internet access; multi-media
suite,
rehearsal space, recording studio and DJ booth; and
exhibition space
and art wall. Whatever you want to do, we've got it
ready to go... A
number of activities take place in Minehead EYE which
vary from
training to just plain fun, including: competitions and
events, skate
school where older members can teach new users help,
skills and
training outside of conventional training areas, support
and guidance
via various support services and community projects.
Other main aims of
Minehead EYE are that it is accessible to all young
people in West
Somerset via use of an outreach service; that the centre
is used by all
sectors of the community to encourage community
cohesion; that the
young people will have continual input into the set up
and running; and
that the building is built on sustainable principles and
promotes
sustainable living at home. Minehead EYE is open
to all, and we
cant wait to see everyone down here in the near future,
just give us a
call or e-mail if there's anything you'd like to know.
Stay rad!
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Mart Road
Minehead
Somerset
TA24 5BJ
MINEHEAD EYE
CLICK
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phone: 01643
703155
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MINEHEAD HARBOUR
Most
of the harbours along the Bristol Channel coast of
Somerset are tidal,
Minehead being no exception. It is a well-used
harbour with a number of
local fishing boats – both for business and sport –
and many smaller
pleasure craft. It also sees many visiting yachts
especially in the
summer and the last ocean-going paddle steamer in
the world, “Waverley”
usually makes trips from here in May and October,
while in between
these dates, its support steamer “Balmoral” often
visits, both vessels
running a programme of local trips and longer
journeys to Ilfracombe or
Lundy Island.
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Minehead,
West Somerset TA24 |
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MINEHEAD LIFEBOAT STATION
Minehead
lifeboat station was constructed
during 1901 at a cost of Ł785. Our first lifeboat
'George
Leicester' was on station from 11th December 1901.
There is a small
RNLI shop at our station.
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Quay West , Minehead,
TA24
MINEHEAD
LIFEBOAT
CLICK
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MINEHEAD & WEST SOMERSET
GOLF CLUB
Founded in 1882,
Minehead and West Somerset is the second oldest club
in Somerset. Whilst preserving the best
traditions of the sport,
we
have a progressive outlook and take pride in both
maintaining and
developing our magnificent course. There is
always a warm and
friendly
welcome to individual golfers, societies, corporate
groups and visitors.
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The Warren,
Minehead,
TA24 5SJ
E end of
esplanade, within easy walking distance of Minehead town
centre and the
Butlins facility.
From
the North and East: Take the M5 to Bridgwater,
then the
A39 to Minehead. Follow the signs to Minehead sea
front. You should
then travel east along the esplanade. The golf club is
to be found
along this road at the end.
From the South
and
West: Take M5 to Taunton and then the A358 to
Minehead. Proceed
as above.
email:secretary@mineheadgolf.co.uk
MINEHEAD
GOLF CLICK
GREENFREE
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tel: 01643 702057 /
704378 (Pro) |
K's ENTERTAINMENT
CENTRE
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K's Entertainment Centre
The Seafront
Minehead
Minehead
Somerset
TA24 5BG
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Telephone:
(01643) 703044
Fax: (01643) 702134 |
REGAL THEATRE
The Regal Theatre stands in the centre of Minehead, and
is loved by the
people of West Somerset for its wide ranging programme
of professional
and community entertainment that includes drama, comedy,
dance, music
and performance of all kinds. The theatre bar is open
during intervals
and before each performance. It is an ideal place to
meet friends and
enjoy refreshments or to relax on the balcony
overlooking the town
centre.The MATA Regal Theatre Company Ltd runs the
theatre with the
help of an army of volunteers all of whom work hard to
make you feel
welcome and to ensure that you enjoy a splendid night
out.
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10-16 The Avenue, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5AY
E-mail: mail@regaltheatre.co.uk
REGAL
THEATRE CLICK
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Tel:
01643 706430 |
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ST MICHAEL's CHURCH
This
church is one of the outstanding landmarks of
Minehead, being situated
high above the town on the slopes of North Hill. The
list of vicars
dates back to c1200; the oldest surviving parts of
the church – the
main walls and south porch - date back to the 14th
century while the 87
foot high sandstone tower dates from a century or so
later. There are
some fine brasses within the church. It originally
served Higher Town
but now shares its ministry with St. Andrew’s in the
town centre. From
the door, there are stunning views south to the
hills south of the
town.
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St.Michael’s
Road,
Minehead,
West Somerset TA24 |
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SOUTH WEST
COAST NATIONAL TRAIL
The South West Coast National Trail runs for
630 miles along one of the world's most beautiful
coastlines. Starting
in Minehead and ending in Poole, the Trail takes in
long sandy beaches,
deserted coves, wild cliffs and picturesque fishing
villages.
Highlights include the rugged high cliffs of the
Jurassic Coast World
Heritage Site, the lovely hillside coastal village of
Clovelly, the
light-soaked artists’ hangout of St Ives and the
unspoiled beauty of
the Roseland Heritage Coast. |
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Minehead
to Poole in Dorset |
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WAVERLEY
The
“Waverley” is the last ocean-going paddle steamer
in the world. Built
for the London & North Eastern Railway in
1947, she is now owned by
the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society. Each
year, usually in May and
October, she is based at Clevedon for a couples of
weeks each time and
visits many of the Bristol Channel ports – when
the tide permits – to
once more bring alive the memories of the golden
years of the paddle
steamer fleets before spending the midsummer
period on the Clyde
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Minehead,
West Somerset TA2 |
Phone:
+44 (0)8451 304647 |
WEST
SOMERSET RAILWAY
The West Somerset
Railway is the longest
preserved railway in the UK, running 20 miles from
Minehead to Bishops
Lydeard along 10 miles of coast and then through the
Quantock Hills. A
regular service operates from Easter to the end of
October with special
events during the winter. The line remained connected
to the main line
at Taunton to allow visiting trains to reach the
branch which closed in
1971 and reopened under preservation in 1976. The
branch tries to
recreate the atmosphere of a Great Western Railway
branch with many
vintage steam locomotives and rolling stock. |
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The Railway Station
Station Terrace
Minehead
Somerset
TA24 5BG
T All Enquiries: 01643 704996
F 01643 706349
WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY
CLICK |
Tel : 01643 704996
F 01643 706349 |
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BRATTON
COURT
Bratton Court in the hamlet of Bratton within the parish
of Minehead
Without, was built as a manor house, with a 14th
century open
hall and 15th century solar hall. It is within the
Exmoor National Park
has been designated as a Grade I listed building. It was
enlarged in
the 17th century and extensively altered in the late
19th and early
20th centuries. It is now a farmhouse divided into 2
dwellings. The
associated gatehouse and barn abutting west end of the
court date from
the 15th century and are also grade I listed. In 2002 a
planning
application was submitted to convert the stables into a
cafe, craft
centre, smokery and offices. |
 |
BRATTON
COURT CLICK |
|
|
|
MONKSILVER
- CHURCH OF ALL SAINTS
The Church of All Saints in Monksilver, Somerset,
England dates from
the 12th century and has been designated by English
Heritage as a Grade
I listed building . The church has a square tower
containing five
bells. Inside is an Easter sepulchre. The pulpit is
16th-century, the
screen is Jacobean and the lectern is possibly older.
The wagon roof is
thought to be 13th-century and an alms box by the door
is from 1634 .
In 1583 Sir Francis Drake married his second wife
Elizabeth Sydenham of
nearby Combe Sydenham in the parish of Stogumber.
|
 |
Monksilver, Somerset TA4 4JB
CHURCH OF ALL
SAINTS CLICK |
|
MONKSILVER
- COMBE SYDENHAM HALL
An Elizabethan manor house built in 1584 by Sir George
Sydenham,
located in a secluded setting in a quiet Exmoor valley.
The house was
rebuilt and slightly reduced in size in 1660. The manor
is approached
through a medieval gateway, and the interior features
mementoes
associated with Sir Francis Drake, who married
Sydenham's daughter. |
 |
Monksilver,
Taunton, Somerset, TA4 4JG
COMBE
SYDENHAM
CLICK |
Tel : 0800 7838572 |
|
|
NETTLECOMBE - CHURCH
OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN
|
|
Church
of St Mary
the Virgin
|
|
NETTLECOMBE COURT
|
|
Nettlecombe Court |
|
|
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BADGWORTHY
WATER
Exmoor’s main literary claim to fame is R.D.
Blackmore’s famous romance “Lorna Doone”, set in the
wild moorland
between Porlock and Lynmouth. Badgworthy Water,
flowing northwards
between gently rounded hills, is considered to be the
prototype for the
Doone Valley and the water slide is linked to Lank
Combe, a narrow
combe on the west side of this river a mile above
Malmsmead, the
starting point for walks in the area. |
 |
Oare, Somerset TA24 |
|
|
|
|
BLUE
ANCHOR
RAILWAY
MUSEUM
Museum
of
small
exhibits
dedicated
to the Great Western Railway, particularly in
the West Country, at a
working 'period' station on Britain's longest
preserved railway.
|
 |
Blue
Anchor
Station,
Blue
Anchor
BLUE ANCHOR
RAILWAY MUSEUM CLICK |
Tel:
01643 821092 |
BLUE ANCHOR
STATION
Today
the
station boasts two long platforms and its signal box
controls a
level crossing whose gates are operated by the
traditional capstan
wheel apparatus. The down platform side building
houses a small Great
Western Railway Museum which opens on Sundays and
Bank Holiday Mondays
between Easter and the end of September and most
Galas.
Blue Anchor
Station has a
booking office which sells our full range of tickets
for the
railway. Please see the Fares
Pages to find out more about fares from this
Station. Toilets are
available on the Station but there are no disabled
toilet facilities
though the platforms are accessible by ramp. |
 |
Blue
Anchor
Station,
Blue
Anchor
WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY
CLICK
|
Tel
: 01643-704996 |
|
|
|
|
|
CLEEVE
ABBEY
Set
in
tranquil
countryside.
The
abbey remains boast some of the most
complex buildings in
England. Magnificent timber roofing.
|
 |
Washford,
Watchet
Daily,
10am-6pm
(5pm Oct)
CLEEVE
ABBEY
CLICK |
Tel:
01984 640377 |
|
HOME FARM
A traditional farm
where the visitor can enjoy hands-on experience with
friendly farm
animals. Also when the weather allows, try a woodland
walk amongst the
wild flowers with distant views of the Brendon Hills.
Before leaving be
sure to visit the shop where a variety of delicious
home-reared pork
and other meat is available.
Facilities: Tea Room and garden, picnic area, parking,
and level access
for wheelchairs.
Admission: Various options including family and season
tickets. Shop
and tea room do not require admission. |
 |
Blue
Anchor,
Minehead
TA24 6JS
10.00-17.30 Easter to end of October. Limited opening in
winter.
How to find:
Take the coast road from Watchet to Blue Anchor. Home
Farm is on the
left as you enter Blue Anchor.
Web:
HOME FARM CLICK
|
Tel:
01984 640817 |
MARSHWOOD
FARMHOUSE
Marshwood farmhouse dates from the late 15th
century and was originally a manor house or grange. It
has been
designated by English Heritage as a Grade II* listed
building
|
 |
Marshwood
Farm,
Wood Lane,
Blue Anchor,
Minehead , TA24
6LA
|
|
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CHURCH OF ST ANDREW
St.Andrew's
Old
Cleeve
stands
at the
heart of the
village about a mile and a half from the sea.
The
present building dates
largely from the 13th century, but there have
been many additions and
alterations over the years. Much re building
took place in 1425AD, the
western
tower was added in c.1533 and alterations were
made to the chancel as
late as
the 19th century. Records
show that
there has been some form of church on the
site since Domesday,
and certainly long
before the
establishment of Cleeve
Abbey in nearby
Washford by
the Cistercian order in 1198AD.
|
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St. Andrews, Old
Cleeve, TA24
6HJ
ST ANDREW
CLICK |
|
|
TORRE
CIDER FARM
Traditional
Somerset Cider Making with the opportunity to sample
different ciders
straight from the barrel. The farm shop also sells
cream, cheese, honey
and wine. Stroll through the orchard or see a video on
traditional cider making. Whilst at the cider farm
visit the Gloucester
Old Spot pigs, and goats. Facilities: Parking, farm
shop, cafe.
Admission: Free
|
 |
Torre
Cider
Farm,
Washford, Watchet TA23 0LA
Open daily 9.00-18.00 March to October; 10.00-16.00
November to February
How to find:
Follow
the brown tourist sign from the main A39 road between
Williton and
Washford. Torre Cider is a quarter of a mile past the
White Horse Inn
on the Wiveliscombe Road.
Web:
TORRE
CIDER CLICK |
Tel:
01984 640004 |
WASHFORD
MILL
Washford Mill is home to a collection of shops
selling Somerset crafts and local produce, set in
the original mill
building. The restored water mill drew its power
from a channel
connected to Washford River, the turbine being
installed in 1898, but
the mill itself dates from the early 16th Century.
Princess Anne opened
the complex in 2001 and shops’ wares include
clothing, wines, gifts,
pottery, toys, and an art gallery. Homemade food is
served in the
restaurant or on the decking with views of the river
and Cleeve Abbey. |
 |
Washford, Near Watchet,
Somerset TA23 0JY
|
Phone:
+44 (0)1984 640412 - Fax: +44 (0)1984
640160 |
WASHFORD
STATION
The station is
now home to
the Somerset and
Dorset Railway Trust
who have set up a museum and workshop on the
site of the old Goods shed
and yard demolished by British Railways in the
1960s. The museum
contains some wonderful artifacts of the
S&DJR and is well worth a
visit. Washford
Station
has toilet facilities and is accessible to
disabled passengers
but does not have a disabled toilet. Tickets
are not
sold at this
station and passengers are asked to purchase
their tickets on the
trains from the Guard or
ticket inspector.
|
 |
Washford Station, Washford,
TA23
Email: info@west-somerset-railway.co.uk
WASHFORD
STATION
CLICK
|
Tel
: 01643-704996 |
 |
Porlock
The location of
Porlock
is simply stunning; nestled into West
Somerset, close to the border it shares with
North Devon, it is
surrounded by nothing but beauty. To the north
lies the crystal clear
Bristol Channel, elsewhere surrounded by the
rolling hills of Exmoor
National Park. It is also close to the popular
seaside town Minehead.
With it being just a stone's throw away from
Exmoor, it is hugely
popular with tourists due to the area's natural
splendour. It is a
small, quaint, and traditional Exmoor village,
with a population of
roughly 1000 people. Its buildings range from
that of the Stone Age to
ones from modern times.
|
Civil parish |
1,377
|
Williton Rural
District |
51°13′N
3°36′W / 51.21°N
3.60°W / 51.21;
-3.60 (Porlock) |
|
BOSSINGTON
HILL
Coastal hills run westwards from Minehead
separated from the main Exmoor heights by the Vale of
Porlock. At their
extreme western end stands Bossington Hill which drops
down to
Hurlstone Point. There is an abandoned coastguard
lookout at the Point
and on a clear day, the Welsh coast is visible from
Worms Head to
Lavernock Point. There are fine inland views as well.
Hurlstone Point
can be reached by walking the coast path from
Bossington and Bossington
Hill from the end of the scenic motor road from
Minehead. |
 |
Porlock, West
Somerset TA24 |
|
BOSSINGTON FARM &
BIRDS of PREY CENTRE
A 15th
Century
farm set in a National Trust village between the
woods,
hills and moors of Porlock Vale and Dunkery. A
relaxing atmosphere
where you can intermingle with the animals and share
their home. We
offer an enjoyable experience with animals to heighten
awareness,
appreciation and understanding of their place in the
natural world
|
 |
Allerford,
Porlock
Somerset
TA24 8HJ
Opening times:
10.30-4.30 1st Mar to 31st Oct
BOSSINGTON
FARM
CLICK |
Tel:
01643
862816 |
BOSSINGTON
METHODIST CHAPEL
This chapel is typical of the small Methodist
chapels scattered across Exmoor. It lies on the edge
of Bossington just
under a mile from Porlock. Like many of its kind, it
has only a small
congregation to support it and has a joint ministry
with the churches
in Porlock and Minehead. It was built on land granted
by the Acland
family in 1895 and the design is based on that of an
old West Country
barn. |
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Bossington
Lane, Porlock, West Somerset TA24 |
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CHETSFORD
WATER
Chetsford Water rises just above Chetsford
Bridge which lies on the moorland road between Porlock
Hill and Exford.
It becomes Nutscale Water at the eponymous reservoir
and then changes
its name again at Pool Bridge becoming Horner Water
before flowing to
the sea at Bossington Beach. It is one of the
loveliest of the smaller
valleys and is little known to visitors and hence very
quiet and
peaceful in all seasons. Ring ouzels can be found
nesting in the valley
in the spring and early summer months. |
 |
Porlock,
West Somerset TA24 |
|
EXMOOR
ADVENTURES
Exmoor Adventures provides a range of outdoor activities
including
Coasteering, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing,
Abseiling,
Canoeing, Raft Building, Archery, Hill Walking,
Orienteering and Team
Building activities across North Devon and
Somerset. Exmoor
Adventures are your outdoor specialists for a range of
adventurous
activities and courses within the Exmoor National Park,
the Quantocks
and the South West. Whether an outdoor activity, a
skills course,
mountain bike hire, a corporate event, a guiding service
or 1:1
coaching, we can cater for a wide range of groups.
We can deliver
activities to Individuals, Scout, School and College
groups, Military,
Families, Hen and Stag parties, Corporate and other
groups. Exmoor
Adventures will provide a flexible service utilising our
extensive
local knowledge of Exmoor. Exmoor Adventures is an
AALA
accredited Adventurous Activity Provider. Your
Guide will be
experienced, qualified and fully insured and we pride
ourselves on
delivering a personal, friendly service. We can tailor
an activity
experience to suit your needs, whether a morning Rock
Climbing, or a
full day on Exmoor Mountain Biking and Kayaking.
Our instructors
will be able to take you straight to the parts of Exmoor
best suited to
adventurous activities whether on trails, rivers, sea,
rock or moor.
|
 |
Exmoor Adventures,
Flat 2, Dolobran,
Sparkhayes Lane,
Porlock,
TA24 8NE
EXMOOR
ADVENTURES CLICK
|
tel: 01643 863536
|
|
PORLOCK -
CHURCH OF ST.DUBRICUS
Porlock
is a large, busy village 6 miles west
of Minehead serving a local community of some 1300
people. The church
of St. Dubricius is named for the Celtic missionary
Bishop of Llandaff.
Although it is thought that there was an earlier
church built c.1120,
much of the present church buildings date from the
13th and 14th
centuries. Early English influence is visible in the
tower and the
church is built of local stone. The top of the spire
is missing,
believed to be the result of a storm in 1700 and the
church contains
some fine stained glass, tombs and monuments.
|
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Porlock, West Somerset TA24
CHURCH OF
ST.DUBRICUS CLICK
|
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PORLOCK - CULBONE
CHURCH
Culbone
(St
Beuno's)
Church located in the village of Culbone is said
to be the
smallest
church in England. The church seats about 30 people,
and the chancel is
13.5 feet (4.1 m) x 10 feet (3.0 m), the nave 21.5
feet (6.6 m) x 12.33
feet (3.8 m) and the building has a total length of 35
feet (10.7
m).[2] Services are still held there, despite the lack
of access by
road. The church is probably pre-Norman in origin,
with a 13th century
porch, and late 15th century nave. It was
refenestrated and reroofed
around 1810 and the spirelet added in 1888. It
underwent further
restoration in 1928. It has been designated by English
Heritage as a
grade I listed building[3] and the churchyard cross is
grade II*
listed.
Joan D'Arcy Cooper, wife of the late potter Waistel
Cooper, attended
the church and is buried in the graveyard. In the
television version of
the Lorna Doone story it was the scene of the filming
of the marriage
of John Ridd at Oare church.
|
 |
Porlock, nr
Minehead Culbone, Somerset, England, TA24
No direct vehicle access. Off the A39 at the Culbone
Inn, or off the
minor road from Porlock to Porlock Weir. Park at the end
of the road,
then a 1 mile walk. Church is on the South West Coast
Path.
MAP
CULBONE
CHURCH
CLICK |
|
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DUNKERY
BEACON
Dunkery Beacon at 1705 ft (519 m) is the
highest summit in Somerset. The hills of Exmoor
are gently rounded with
no sudden dangers providing a superb area for
walking. Dunkery’s height
is appreciated best from the north or south, views
from the other
directions being along the line of the ridge of
hills. It is a notable
landmark all over the area, easily recognised by
the great cairn
commemorating its acquisition by the National
Trust in 1934.
|
 |
Porlock,
Somerset TA24 |
|
EXMOOR
PONIES
Exmoor ponies are the oldest breed in the UK –
possibly dating back to prehistoric times. They are
classified as a
rare breed and in the wild are rarer than the Great
Panda; numbers
reached a critical point at the end of World War Two
but have climbed
since. Unlike other UK breeds, they have very
consistent colouring and
have a reputation as being very intelligent – and
very hungry! |
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Porlock,
West Somerset TA24 |
|
GIBRALTER
COTTAGES
Porlock Weir has grown up about 1.5 miles west
of Porlock itself to serve the small harbour. This
harbour, which can
only be entered when the tide is right, is a popular
destination for
yachtsmen in the Bristol Channel. Gibraltar Cottages
are old, thatched,
fishermen’s houses built on the very edge of the
pebble beach on the
north side of the harbour. Although very picturesque,
they are very
open to rough weather and have suffered flooding, most
recently in
1996. |
 |
Porlock
Weir, Porlock, Somerset TA24 |
|
JUBILEE HUT
This hut was built to mark the Golden Jubilee
of Queen Elizabeth II in 2002. It stands at the
highest point of this
hill on the site of a former Jubilee Hut which stood
from 1897-1947. it
was constructed from local materials by Exmoor
National Park staff and
is mainly timber, including the roof tiles. Each
section of the hut is
dedicated to a local organisation or person. It is
reached by walking
for about 10 minutes along the top of the hill from
Webbers Post. |
 |
Homer
Hill, Porlock, West Somerset TA24 |
|
LANDACRE
BRIDGE
Dating from the early 17th Century, Landacre
Bridge carries the Exford-South Molton road across the
Barle valley
about seven miles south-west of Porlock, crossing the
river as its
flows south from the remote Chains area. It is one of
several
substantial stone bridges found on the moor, and, like
the others,
consists of several low arches, five in this instance,
which perhaps
displays the technology of its period. It is a popular
tourist spot in
summer as a rough track leads from the bridge for a
quarter of a mile
to Sherdon Hutch where there is a safe bathing spot |
 |
Near
Porlock, West Somerset TA24 |
|
PORLOCK WEIR
Porlock Weir lies about 1.5 miles west of
Porlock and is a small settlement which has grown up
around the
harbour, much of the land and buildings being in the
ownership of the
Porlock Manor Estate. Many cottages around the area
are very old and
Porlock Weir is a popular visitor attraction. Like
most ports in West
Somerset, the small harbour is tidal but has a small
home-based
flotilla of yachts and is visited by many more in
spring and summer. |
 |
Near
Porlock, West Somerset TA24 |
|
ROBBERS
BRIDGE
Robbers Bridge is an old stone bridge carrying
the minor road from Porlock Hill to Oare and
Malmesmead over Weir Water
about 3 miles west of Porlock to the south of the main
A39 road. It
takes its name from the fact that much of this area
was dangerous
bandit country in past centuries. R.D. Blackmore drew
on the history
and legends of this wild area to create his
world-famous novel “Lorna
Doone”. |
 |
Near
Porlock, West Somerset TA24 |
|
SILLY BRIDGE
This delightful old stone bridge crosses the
infant River Exe about five miles south of Porlock. It
carries the
minor road from Porlock Hill to Exford over the river
about five miles
below its source at Exe Head on The Chains. The
bridge, like most local
bridges, is a substantial structure designed to cope
with the weather.
The origin of its name is not clear; possibly it was a
local name
because the approach on the south side is a sharp bend
which could be
difficult for horse-drawn wagons to negotiate. |
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Near
Porlock, West Somerset TA24 |
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STOKE PERO
CHURCH
This church is not dedicated to a particular
saint and is one of the most remote on Exmoor,
standing 1013 feet above
sea level on the moors about two miles south of
Porlock. Only one other
dwelling is near the building. The list of rectors
dates back to 1242
but the church is mentioned in the Domesday Book. Like
some other
churches in the area, it retains its Saxon saddleback
tower but the
body of the church was completely rebuilt by the
Aclands in 1897 and a
small framed notice tells of Zulu, a donkey, who was
used to bring wood
from Porlock every day. |
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Stoke
Pero, Porlock, West Somerset TA24 |
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ST GEORGE'S
St George’s Church in Sampford Brett has
medieval origins and was probably founded by the Bret
family who were
lords of the manor here. Restored and extended over
the centuries, with
a tower added in the 14th Century – the oldest of the
six bells is
1621. The church’s intriguing feature is the carved
bench ends, of
varying date; one with the initials IHC, the Greek
symbol for the name
of Jesus and another of a lady thought to represent
Florence Wyndham
which Pevsner believed to have been Jacobean. |
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Sampford Brett,
Somerset TA4 |
|
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Selworthy
This delightful village of picturesque thatched
cottages is part of
the National Trust's huge Holnicote Estate, which
takes in over 12,000
acres of Exmoor coast and countryside.The charm of
Selworthy is the
wonderfully preserved thatched
cottages and the historic All Saints church. The
church is perched on
the side of the hill, and the view from the porch
out over the Vale of
Porlock to the moors beyond is quite superb.
|
Civil parish |
510
|
Williton Rural
District |
51°13′N
3°33′W / 51.21°N
3.55°W / 51.21;
-3.55 (Selworthy) |
|
ACKLAND
MEMORIAL HUT
Acland Memorial Hut was erected in the
mid-19th century by a member of the Acland family to
commemorate the
Sunday walks taken by the family on the hills of the
Holnicote Estate.
It is a brick and stone weather shelter with seats
on all four sides
containing wall panels inscribed with family
dedications and suitably
uplifting poetry. It lies in the heart of the Estate
which belonged for
many years to the family and can be reached by
following the North Hill
scenic road from Minehead or by climbing the combe
from Selworthy
church. |
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Selworthy
Beacon,
near Porlock,
West Somerset TA24 |
|
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SELWORTHY - CHURCH OF ALL
SAINTS
The
church of All Saints, Selworthy, is
probably one of the best known on Exmoor and has had
connections with
the great estate of Holnicote for several centuries.
Set 500 feet up on
the south side of the coastal hills, this white
lime-washed building is
visible from many viewpoints on the moor. The oldest
parts of the
church are 14th century, while other parts are 15th
century or late
Perpendicular. Its most beautiful feature is the
south aisle with a
superb wagon roof which contains 90 carved bosses.
|
 |
All Saints Selworthy,
Somerset, TA248TR
CHURCH OF
ALL SAINTS CLICK
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HOLNICOTE
ESTATE
Diverse
landscape of moor, woods, farms and coast, rich in
wildlife.
The Holnicote Estate covers 5042ha (12,500
acres)
of Exmoor National Park and includes the high tors of
Dunkery and
Selworthy Beacons, with breathtaking views in all
directions. Its
traditional cottages and farms are grouped in and around
the villages
and hamlets, which include Selworthy, Allerford,
Bossington, Horner and
Luccombe. The Estate also covers 4ml of coastline
between Porlock Bay
and Minehead, where the South West Peninsula Coastal
Path begins.There
are over 100ml of footpaths to enjoy through the fields,
woods, moors
and villages.The area is noted for its diversity of
wildlife and many
rare species can be found in the Horner and Dunkery
National Nature
Reserve. |
 |
Selworthy,
Minehead,
Somerset, TA24 8TJ
E-mail: holnicote@nationaltrust.org.uk
HOLNICOTE
CLICK |
Tel: 01643
862452 Fax: 01643 863011 |
LYNCH
CHAPEL OF EASE
In the West Country certainly, wealthy
families would have a chapel-of-ease close to them for
private worship.
Lynch lies in the parish of Selworthy about a mile
from Porlock. It was
built about 1530 and, after being used as a barn for
many years was
restored for worship by the Acland family in 1895. It
is a rectangular
building, 33 feet by 16 feet with an unplastered wagon
roof. Although
plain, it possesses a quiet dignity in this quiet
hamlet. |
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Lynch,
Porlock, West Somerset TA24 |
|
SELWORTHY
GREEN
Selworthy Green, with its rough circle of
thatched cottages around a central green, is one of
the tourist
highlights of Exmoor. What is not perhaps clear is
that it has not
grown up haphazardly over the years, but could be
described as an early
form of “sheltered accommodation”. It was built in a
deliberately
old-fashioned style in 1828 by Sir Thomas Acland, then
owner of the
huge Holnicote estate to provide housing for retired
or infirm workers
from his employment. |
 |
Selworthy,
Minehead, Somerset TA24 |
|
WEST
SOMERSET
RURAL
LIFE MUSEUM
Social
history,
Victorian
kitchen,
laundry,
dairy.Local craft workers tools and
products.Photographic
collection. |
 |
Old
School,
Allerford,
Minehead, TA24
8HN
Easter-Oct,
Mon-Fri
10.30am-4.30pm, closed 1pm-2pm.
Open: Sun 2pm-4.30pm on school and Bank
Holidays only.
WEST
COUNTRY
RURAL
LIFE MUSEUM CLICK |
Tel:
01643 862529 |
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ST MARY'S
St Mary’s in the village of Stogumber is
around 600 years old with a tower built in the 14th
Century. The 18th
Century chandelier was re-hung in 1907 after being
discovered in the
Vicarage Brew House. The octagonal font is 15th
Century with a
Victorian cover and the perpendicular North aisle
contains two
hagioscopes (squints) and the stone head of a pagan
Green Man. The
Sydenham Chapel, containing the tomb of Sir George
Sydenham,
father-in-law of Sir Francis Drake, is cordoned off by
a wrought iron
screen. |
 |
Stogumber, Somerset TA4 3TA
Church of St Mary |
|
|
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ST ANDREW'S
CHURCH
St Andrew’s Church in Stogursey was once a
Benedictine priory and has one of the finest Norman
interiors in the
country. There are two Norman fonts; one depicts heads
with strange
unfathomable symbols on their foreheads. There is an
unusual sloping
chancel floor, part of which is thought to be the
original crypt.
Fragments of medieval wall paintings can be seen
behind the tower door
as well as an ichthyosaurus fossil set into the floor.
The church
contains a sanctuary ring, used by criminals seeking
sanctuary in the
middle ages. |
 |
Stogursey, Somerset TA5
ST ANDREWS
CLICK |
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Church of
St Petrock |
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WATCHET
Watchet
is
believed
to be the place where Saint Decuman was killed and the
15th
century, Grade I listed, church is dedicated to him. The
Anglo-Saxon
Chronicle records the early port at Watchet being
plundered by Danes
led by Ohtor and Rhoald in 987 and 997. It is
known that it was
in frequent use by small boats in 1564 possibly for
the import of salt
and wine from France. During the English Civil War
Royalist
reinforcements for the siege of Dunster Castle was
sent by sea, but the
tide was on the ebb and a troop of Roundheads rode
into the shallows
and forced the ship to surrender, so a ship at sea was
taken by a troop
of horse.
The
primitive jetty was damaged in a storm of 1659 and a
larger, stronger
pier was built in the early 18th century supported by
local wool
merchants, although by 1797 the largest export was
kelp made by burning
seaweed for use in glass making. In the 19th century
trade increased
with the export of iron ore from the Brendon Hills,
paper, flour and
gypsum. Harbour trade
was aided by the coming of the railway. In the
mid-1860s two
independent railways terminated at Watchet. The West
Somerset Mineral
Railway ran down from the iron mines on the Brendon
Hills, and the West
Somerset Railway came up from the Bristol & Exeter
Railway at
Norton Fitzwarren. Both lines made extensive use of
the harbour at
Watchet from where iron ore was shipped across the
Bristol Channel for
smelting at Ebbw Vale in South Wales.
The
mines and West Somerset Mineral Railway closed in
1898. The West
Somerset Railway, extended from Watchet to Minehead in
1874, survived
as part of British Rail until 1979. Reopened as a
heritage railway, it
still operates today.
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The
Esplanade, Watchet, Somerset TA23 0AJ
email:
tourism@watchettowncouncil.org
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tel:
01984
632101
fax: 01984
633344 |
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General
Information
Bank
Lloyds TSB, Swain Street, 0845 072 3333 / 0845
300 0000 |
Pharmacy
Swain Street, 01984 631343 |
Opticians
Swain Street, 01984 634140 |
Doctor
Swain Street Surgery, 01984 634365 |
Hospital
(nearest accident and emergency) The Avenue,
Minehead, 01643 707251 |
Registred
Podiatrist
Mrs J Parry, MChS HPC Boathouse Cottage, 3
Esplanade Lane, Watchet,
01984 631632 |
Library
The Esplanade, 01984 631380 |
Post
Office
Swain Street, 01984 631223 |
Police
0845 456 7000 |
Watchet
Town
Council
Swain Street, 01984 633344 |
West
Somerset
District Council
01643 703704, www.westsomersetonline.gov.uk |
Somerset
Waste
Partnership
01643 703704, www.recyclesomerset.info |
Somerset
County
Council
0845 345 9166, www.somerset.gov.uk |
West
Somerset
Advice Bureau
01643 794624 |
Quay
West
Radio 102.4
Watchet and West Somerset's local commercial
radio, full of
information on what's going on in the region at
any one time as well as
other local and national information.
Harbour Road, Watchet, Somerset, TA23 0AQ, 01984
634900 |
West
Somerset
Free Press
The most popular weekly paper, full of local
news, events, etc.
5 Long Street, Williton, Somerset, TA3 3QH,
01984 632731, www.west-somerset-today.co.uk
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Watchet
Royal
British Legion Club
Mill Lane, 01984 631724 |
The
Esplanade Club
The Esplanade, 01984 634518 |
Watchet
Guides Group
01984 634797 |
Watchet Sea
Scout
Group
01984 631171 |
Williton
&
Watchet Choral Society
01984 640507 |
Watchet
Carnival
Club
01984 639616 |
Watchet
Football
Club
Kingsland, 01984 631041 |
Watchet
Bowling Club
Culvercliffe, 01984 631760 |
Watchet
Cricket Club
01984 631032 |
Watchet AFC
01984 634329 |
Watchet
Tennis Club
01984 633542 |
Watchet
Boxing Club
01984 632537 |
Watchet
Rowing Club
01984 634225 |
Watchet Boat
Owners
Association
01643 702569 / 01984 631232 |
Licensed
Betting Shop
Anchor Street Racing
Anchor Street, 01984 634111
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Newsagents
Harbour News
Swain Street, 01984 634646 |
Co-op
Liddymore Road, 01984 631442 |
Spar
Liddymore Road, 01984 634416 |
Co-op
Swain Street, 01984 632298 |
Watchet
Local Produce Market
The Esplanade, every Wednesday during the summer
months |
Buses
National Traveline
0870 608 2608
First Somerset & Avon
01823 272033 / Timetable Enquiries 0871 200 22
33 |
Local
Coach Services
Quantock Bus
01823 251140
Webberbus
0800 0963039
Traveline
01643 704774 / 01643 821883 |
Trains
National Rail
0845 7484950
West Somerset Railway
Timetable: 01643 707650, General Enquiries:
01643 704996
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Taxis
Cliff's Cabs : 01984 631973
CoastLine : 01984 633777
Data Cabs : 01984 639141
Mr Cabs : 01984 633333
Sam's Cabs : 01984 639517 / 07799 466074
Watchet Minibus Hire : 01984 631819 / 07876
353819
Watchet Taxis : 0800 87 666 90 / 07807 066 847 |
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WATCHET
HERITAGE
TRAIL
For more
than 1000 years Watchet has been a busy seaport, once
thronging with
all the activities of the sea. The Heritage Trail
takes a trip back in
history and gives you a chance to explore Watchet's
fascinating past as
you take a walk through the town. You will discover
the harbour, for
centuries the centre of trade, and now a new marina
opened in 2001 by
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. The oldest part of the town,
with narrow
streets, is around the harbour. In the Middle Ages
this was a centre of
cloth manufacturing as well as other trades, and a
marketplace was
situated behind the Esplanade near its junction with
Swain Street. In
more recent times the town has had foundries, sawmills
and a paper
mill, as well as the usual shops and small tradesmen.
Of
course Watchet has an association with trains and in
1862 a broad gauge
railway was built from Taunton and was later to
extended to Minehead.
During its lifetime thousands of people travelled on
the railway before
it was finally closed in 1970 only to reopen a few
years later to be
run by volunteers and steam enthusiasts as the West
Somerset Railway.
Watchet also once had another railway, The Mineral
Line.
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WATCHET
ANCIENT MARINER STATUE
A statue of the Ancient Mariner at Watchet Harbour,
unveiled in
September 2003 as a tribute to Samuel Taylor
Coleridge.Coleeridge
visited Watchet in 1797 and it is generally thought that
the harbour is
the port from which "The Ancient Mariner" set sail on
his fateful
voyage.
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The
Esplanade, Watchet, Somerset TA23 OAJ |
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WATCHET
BOAT MUSEUM
Watchet Boat Museum is a small museum in Watchet. It is
housed in an
old victorian goods shed next to Watchet railway
station. The exhibits
include several types of boats found locally and
associated artefacts,
photographs and charts. It specialises in the shallow
draft flatner, a
form of vessel once prevalent in the Bridgwater and
adjacent coastal
areas.Open Easter to end September 2-4pm on Tues, Wed,
Thurs, Sat &
Sun
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In
harbour
Road
near railway station
WATCHET
BOAT
MUSEUM CLICK
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Tel
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01984
633117
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WATCHET
FISHING TRIPS
Chartered fishing
trips can be booked on DTI registered, fully
facilitated boats which
operate out of Watchet. At the moment the vessels are
Seafire and
Scooby Doo Too. Bookings can be made for short or long
trips, and
equipment and bait is provided. A variety of fish
species can be caught
depending on the season. Fish caught regularly include
cod, ling,
pouting, bass, skate and whiting.
Fishermen can
also use
the West Pier with rod and line or the inner harbour
with a crab line
or a drop net for shrimps.
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Seafire
Telephone:
01984 634507 or 0771121 5695
Website:
www.seafirefishing.co.uk
Scooby Doo Too
Telephone:
01984 631310 or 07778 750939
Website:
www.scoobydootoo.com |
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WATCHET
FOSSILS
There are two key
locations for fossil hunting near Watchet.
Displays of finds can be seen at the Geological Wall
on the Platform of
Watchet Station. The market house museum also displays
some finds.
Beach combing is also popular. The tidal range off of
Wachet is second
only to Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia. As a consequence
the beach is
continually refreshed.
Fossil maps are available from the visitor centre.To
the east of the
harbour, beyond Splash Point, you come to Helwell Bay,
while west of
the harbour you have West Street beach, formerly known
as Cridland's
beach. Both are close to the town and are rich in
fossils, as are the
beaches beyond. Ammonites, bi-valves and "Devil's Toe
Nails" are all to
be found here along with rock samples of quartz and
alabaster. Fossil
maps are available from the Tourist Office, and a
display of finds can
be seen on the Jubilee Geological Wall on the platform
of Watchet
Station. The Watchet Market House Museum also has
exhibits of Watchet's
geological past. An interesting supplement to this is
the pebble mosaic
next to the side of the library on the Esplanade,
which depicts St
Decuman crossing over from Wales on a raft, with a cow
as companion.
Note also the old pebble pavements in Market Street.
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WATCHET
FOSSILS
CLICK
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WATCHET
HARBOUR & MARINA
For those who wish
to
access Watchet from the sea or who are interested in
details of events
and activities, berths or regattas.
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Email:enquiries@watchet-harbour-marina.com
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Tel
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01984
631264 |
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THE
HOLY
CROSS CHAPEL - ABOVE THE MUSEUM
The
small Holy Cross Chapel dates back to the time of
Thomas a Becket. In
1170, the family of Reginald FitzUrse, one of the
knights responsible
for his murder, built a chapel by Watchet harbour,
paying a chaplain to
say prayers.
The Chapel, rebuilt in 1833 is open for prayer.
Above the Market House Museum.
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Market
Street,
Watchet
TA23 0AN |
tel:
01984
631228 |
JUBILEE
GEOLOGICAL WALL
The Jubilee Geological Wall was built by
volunteers from a local centre which caters for adults
with learning
disabilities, under the guidance of Dr Eric Robinson.
The wall was
erected on the platform of Watchet Station and
displays a fascinating
mixture of local minerals and fossils found in the
nearby areas,
including those from the Jurassic and Triassic periods
that were
collected from the rock ledges around Watchet and
Kilve. Try some rock
spotting for alabaster, vein quartz, ammonites, iron
ore and black
Mendip limestone among many others! |
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Watchet
Station, Somerset TA23 |
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THE
STANDING STONES
The Standing Stones were conceived & implemented by
the Watchet
Conservation Society in association with Watchet
sculptor David Milton.
Standing Stones date back to the bronze age andare
shrouded
inmystery. These stones relate to those
tangiblereminders of our early
ancestors. The stones were taken from Dulverton and
commemorate the sea
and land meeting. A set of sculptures inspired by our
immediate
coastline.
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Standing Stones
Esplanade Lane
Watchet
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WATCHET
LIGHTHOUSE
The Lighthouse on the West Pier was erected in 1862 at
the time when
the harbour was enlarged. The cast iron tower was
supplied by Hennet
Spink & Else of Bridgwater and cost Ł75. The light
was first
illuminated by an oil lamp, then by gas and later by
electricity.
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WATCHET THE
MINERAL LINE
In 1852 a Welsh Company started mining for iron-ore on
the Brendon
Hills. They constructed a railway line to bring the ore
to Watchet for
shipment to South Wales. The mines closed in the 1880s
but a passenger
service continued until 1898. The old line is now a
pleasant walk to
Washford or through Kentsford Farm to the church and
back to
Watchet.The Old Mineral Line runs between Watchet and
Washford and once
extended into the Brendon Hills. In times past it was
used for bringing
iron ore, mined in the hills, into Watchet so that it
could be shipped
to Wales. Although the track has long gone, the path of
the railway can
be followed on foot. Starting on the Esplanade from the
Yankee Jack
sculpture, past the statue of the Ancient Mariner, a
walk along the Old
Mineral Line Trail will take you past the Paper Mill.
The Path
continues through countryside past farms until you
approach Washford
passing the village school, winding its way through the
village until
it reaches Washford Station which houses the Somerset
and Dorset
Railway Museum.
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WATCHET
MARKET HOUSE MUSEUM
Open daily Easter to end of October 10.30am-4.30pm.
Watchet's Market
House Museum is housed in the terracotta building near
the esplanade.
Displays trace the history of the town the museum hosts
a variety of
events and talks throughout the year. The Museum
is open daily
from Easter weekend to the end of October from
10.30am-4.30pm.
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Watchet
Market
House
Museum,
Market Street, Watchet TA23 0AN |
Tel:
01984
631209
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WATCHET St
DECUMAN'S CHURCH & HOLY WELL
The
church of St Decuman was built by two of the Knights
who murdered
Thomas a Becket and developed in the 15th Century by
the Wyndham
family. It has many fine features including a rood
screen, and a wagon
roof encircled with carved angels.
The water of the
ancient well, just below the church, is held to be
sacred, and provides
a place where visitors may meditate in peace.
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Watchet,
Somerset TA23 |
Tel:
01984
631228 |
WATCHET
STATION
Watchet station was the original terminus of the West
Somerset Railway,
and the station forecourt originally linked both station
building and
goods shed, hence the unusual alignment of the station
building. When
the line was extended to Minehead in 1874, cutting
across the original
forecourt, the footbridge was added to maintain the
public right of
way.The Jubilee Geological Wall at Watchet Railway
Station was
built by volunteers from a centre for adults with
learning
disabilities, the wall includes samples of locally
collected stone and
fossils.Whether you are a geologist or just an
interested visitor, the
wall provides a fascinating exploration of local
minerals, some of
which can also be seen incorporated into local
buildings. The wall also
includes fossils from the Jurassic era, collected from
the rock ledges
between Watchet and Kilve.
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WATCHET
TROPIQUARIA
ADVENTURE
PARK
Wildlife park with
animal
handling,full-size pirate adventure
ships,indoor play castle, aquarium,
puppet shows. |
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Washford
Cross,
Watchet,
TA23
0JX
:Apr-Oct, 10am-6pm.
Weekends Nov-Mar
11am-4pm
TROPIQUARIA ADVENTURE
PARK CLICK |
Tel:
01984-
640688
Fax: 01984- 640688 |
WATCHET
YANKEE JACK
The newly
revamped esplanade is set to become a hub of activity
hosting markets
and events throughout the year. As a compliment to the
Ancient Mariner
statue, recently installed there is a second bronze
dedicated to
another of Watchet's heroes.
The town's most famous sailor was John
Short,nicknamed
Yankee Jack. He sailed the world and with his powerful
voice led the
sailors in the singing of sea shanties as they worked.
In his
retirement he became Town Crier. In 1914 he was
interviewed by Cecil
Sharp, a collector of folk songs, who recorded the words
and tunes of
many of the shanties. John died in 1933 aged 93 in his
cottage in
Market Street.He also ran the blockade during the
American Civil War in
the 1860s.
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The
Esplanade,
Watchet
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ST
ETHELDREDA'S CHURCH
Built in 1856, St Etheldreda’s Church in West
Quantoxhead replaced an earlier, medieval one. The
architect, John
Norton, chose the late 13th Century Geometric style
and reused the bowl
of the old font and three bells, two of which are 15th
Century. The
nave and chancel arch are supported by beautifully
coloured Babbacombe
marble and the corbels supporting the oak roof are
formed by carved
stone orchestral angels. The church plate is
Elizabethan but the rood
screen, dismantled and stored, was later rediscovered
and installed in
Exford church in 1929. |
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St
Audries, West Quantoxhead, Somerset TA4 4DS |
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Orchard Wyndham |
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BAKELITE
MUSEUM
Collection
of
vintage plastics set in an
ancient watermill. Early
caravans
include the pod micro caravan. |
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Orchard
Mill,
Williton
10.30am-6pm
Wed,
Thur,
Fri,
Sat and Sun in term time. Seven days
a week in main
school holiday time.
BAKELITE
MUSEUM
CLICK |
Tel:
01984 632133 |
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ST PETERS
CHURCH
St Peter’s Church in Williton was founded by
Robert Fitzurse, brother of Sir Reginald who held
the Manor House of
Williton and was the leader of the four men who
murdered Thomas a
Becket in 1170. The font is dated 1666 and is made
from alabaster from
the cliffs of nearby Watchet. The church has a 15th
Century piscina
with niche and the windows are Elizabethan. The
spire was lost in the
storms of 1872 and the bells now hang in a stone
bellcot.
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Williton,
Somerset TA4 |
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Church of St
Nicholas |
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Church
of All Saints |
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DUNKERY
VINEYARD
Somerset's largest vineyard in the Exmoor
National Park, specialising
in red wines. |
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Wootton
Courtenay
Daily,
10am-1.15pm
/ 1.45pm-4.30pm
DUNKERY
VINEYARD
CLICK |
Tel:
01643 841505 |
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Ranscombe
Farm Restaurant
Wootton Courtenay
Minehead
Somerset
TA24 8RA
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Tel
: (01643)
841534
Fax:
(01643) 841534 |
