Somerset

Somerset is a beautiful County divided into 3 fairly distinct and different areas. There are the wetlands of the Somerset Levels, rugged Exmoor and the gentle rolling hills of the South and East of the County.

Fortunately, the basic character of Somerset has not been swept away on the tide of modernisation. Today, it remains, as it has always been, a mainly agricultural county. Consequently, Somerset into the 21st century is one of the few places where the unspoiled beauties of its countryside can still be enjoyed. Today, millions visit Somerset each year to admire the expanses of Exmoor, the lovely vale of Taunton, or the surreal fascinations of the Cheddar Caves, Gough's Cave and Wookey Hole. In many ways, Somerset has the best of both the modern world and the more leisurely centuries of the past. The M5 motorway and other roads ensure easy communications with the rest of England, the National Trust and English Heritage preserve historic sites, yet in its southwest corner Somerset still retains the rural ambience that calms the spirit and gratifies the soul.

To learn more about the history of the county follow the links below.

http://www.britannia.com/history/somerset/somhist3.html

Bath:

Bristol:

Bristol is the largest city in the south west of England, with a population of approximately half a million. The city lies between Somerset and Gloucestershire and has been politically administered by both counties in part at various times. However, Bristol is historically a county in its own right and is properly entitled the City and County of Bristol. From its earliest days, its prosperity has been linked to that of the Port of Bristol, the commercial port which was in the city centre but has now moved to the Bristol Channel coast at Avonmouth and Portbury. The City had substantial links to the slave trade and its wealth dervived from overseas commerce was at its height in Victorian times as can be seen from the architecture remaining today.

Levels:

At the heart of Somerset, lies a beautiful area called the "Levels and Moors", which has international status as one of the most important wetlands of its type in the world. Most of the area is no higher above sea level than 25 feet. Some parts, the coastal marine clay "Levels", are higher than the "Moors" which are further inland and often have peat as their central feature. These areas are protected from sea flooding only by the slightly higher clay ridge at the coast and by careful control of water through pumping. All of the levels and moors area in Somerset was under water until c.4500 BC when peat deposits began to form in salt marsh, fen and raised bog environments. To cross these wetlands and reach the islands of rock and sand in the valleys, prehistoric people built wooden trackways. Because of the waterlogging of the peat these structures survive to the present day. The remains of Iron Age villages have been found in the wetlands neare Meare and Glastonbury. The Meare settlements were seasonal trading centres but the village in a swamp near Glastonbury was permanently occupied for hundreds of years although it could inly be reached by dugout canoe.  http://somersetlevels.com/lam_introduction.php     www.somersetlevels.org.uk

Glastonbury:

Glastonbury sits on a former island in the Somerset Levels – the Isle of Avalon. It's a lively town, located in the south west of England, with lots happening and rich traditions from yesteryear. It has been a magnetic pilgrimage place since ancient times, a Druidic centre and, later, one of Europe's great medieval abbeys. Today Glastonbury is a unique, atmospheric town. It hosts a famous rock festival as well as pilgrimages, a musical extravaganza, a carnival and other events. People visit from the world over, pulled by a certain special something... The town is overlooked by the Tor, a majestic, anomalous, sacred hill. Tradition has it that Joseph of Arimathaea built the first church and King Arthur and Guinevere were buried here. Once it was home to Saints Patrick, Dunstan, Benedict, David, Bridget and others.

http://www.isleofavalon.co.uk/

Exmoor is a National Park and an area of outstanding natural beauty. It is not so rugged or stark as neighbouring Dartmoor, but its landscape is perhaps more diverse and softer in appearance. It does however boast a diverse landscape including Dunkery Beacon which at over 1700ft (519mtrs) is the highest point in the West of England.

www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk

 

Minehead:

A settlement has existed at Minehead since before the Domesday book of 1087, where we first find written evidence. Following the Norman Conquest a large manor which included Minehead was sold in 1375 to the Luttrell family who have owned it until quite recent times.
The town gradually grew, its main business being wool and shipping. In 1559 Minehead became a parliamentary borough with 2 members at Westminster. A huge fire destroyed much of the town in 1791. The 19th Century saw a major growth in transport links and Minehead became a prosperous holiday resort. New stone buildings, gas lighting, piped water and pavements were all developed in the mid 1800's. In 1874 the railway arrived in Minehead. More expansion took place to accommodate the new visitors and bathing machines and donkeys on the beach made for a lively promenade. By the turn of the Century the centre of Minehead looked much as it does today. The town is often described as the gateway to Exmoor as it is surrounded by Exmoor National Park.

www.somerset.gov.uk/museums/musweb4.htm

Roman Settlement around AD 43 - AD 390:

The period from 43 AD, when Britain was invaded by the Roman army, to the 5th century, when links with the remains of the western Roman empire were severed. For about 400 years, Britain was part of the Roman empire, and this is reflected in the range of new aspects that appear in the archaeology of that time. These include: a greater variety of pottery, coins and metal goods; stone, tile, mortar and plaster as building materials; wall paintings; and heating systems. Major industrial production of such items as pottery, and major engineering schemes for roads, bridges, drainage, town planning and so on, were also important innovations. The Roman influence can be seen across most of England but in Roman times Somerset was far different as the Levels were effectively an inland sea with navigation possible into the middle of Somerset.

Not far away...

Following the discovery of a fine Roman mosaic by a local builder in nearby Lopen, farmer's daughter Trudy Ridgers of Dinnington decided to have a look in her father's fields. She found fragments of mosaic of an even better quality.
After the usual geophysics surveys, which produced astounding results, a massive villa complex was discovered– akin to a huge country mansion today. In order not to damage the site a surgical test-pit survey was first excavated to establish the depth of the archaeology. It quickly became clear that the Roman building was made up of a main house with huge ranges (or wings) at each end. The structure itself is some 150 metres across. Just eight inches beneath the surface were the remains of some fabulous mosaics, which had once formed the floors of rooms in this huge Roman villa. This 2003 excavation has proved to be one of the most important Roman sites in the country.

http://www.channel4.com/history/timeteam/2003_lopen.html

 

Last edited on the 11 May 2008 20:03:21