Somerset. G. W. Wade
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G. W. Wade, J. H. Wade
Somerset
Published by Good Press, 2019
EAN 4064066196608
Table of Contents
SOMERSET LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
DESCRIPTION OF PLACES IN SOMERSET ARRANGED ALPHABETICALLY
PREFACE
The general scheme of this Guide is determined by that of the series of which it forms part. But a number of volumes by different writers are never likely to be quite uniform in character, even though planned on the same lines; and it seems desirable to explain shortly the aim we have had in view in writing our own little book. In our accounts of places of interest we have subordinated the historical to the descriptive element; and whilst we have related pretty fully in the Introduction the events of national importance which have taken place within the county, we have not devoted much space to family histories. We have made it our chief purpose to help our readers to see for themselves what is best worth seeing. If, in carrying out our design, we appear to have treated inadequately many interesting country seats, our excuse must be that such are naturally not very accessible to the ordinary tourist, whose needs we have sought to supply. And if churches and church architecture seem to receive undue attention, it may be pleaded that Somerset is particularly rich in ecclesiastical buildings, and affords excellent opportunities for the pursuit of a fascinating study.
In the production of our book we have used freely such sources of information as circumstances have enabled us to consult; and in this connection we wish to make specific acknowledgment of our indebtedness to C.R.B. Barrett's "Somersetshire," the Rev. W.H.P. Greswell's "Land of Quantock," and the "Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society." We have likewise profited by the kindness of several friends and correspondents, amongst whom we desire to mention the late R.P. Brereton, Dr. F.H. Allen, Mr. F.R. Heath, the Rev. C.W. Whistler, the Rev. E.H. Bates, and the Rev. J.S. Hill, B.D. (the last especially in regard to the origin of certain place-names). But our descriptions are, for the most part, based upon notes taken on the spot. Almost all the localities that are included in the alphabetical list have been visited by one or other of us: those of any interest, which from various causes we have failed to reach, can (we believe) be counted upon the fingers. We cannot expect our work to be wholly free from errors and omissions, but we have done our best to make it accurate and to render it as complete as the size of the volume allows.
G. W. W.
J. H. W.
SOMERSET
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
TARR STEPS, EXMOOR (From a Photograph by Messrs Valentine, Dundee)
MARKET PLACE, FROME (From a Photograph by Messrs Valentine, Dundee)
ST JOSEPH'S CHAPEL, GLASTONBURY (From a Photograph by Mr. Walter Raymond)
GLASTONBURY TOR (From a Photograph by Messrs Frith, Reigate)
ALFOXDEN HOUSE, NEAR HOLFORD (From a Photograph by Messrs Frith, Reigate)
HORNER WOODS AND PORLOCK VALE (From a Photograph by Messrs Frith, Reigate)
THE HANGING CHAPEL, LANGPORT (From a Photograph by Messrs Frith, Reigate)
LUCCOMBE VILLAGE (From a Photograph by Messrs Frith, Reigate)
MELLS VILLAGE (From a Photograph by Messrs Valentine, Dundee)
MINEHEAD (From a Photograph by Messrs Frith, Reigate)
MONTACUTE HOUSE (From a Photograph by Messrs Frith, Reigate)
THE GEORGE INN, NORTON ST PHILIP (From a Photograph by Messrs Valentine, Dundee)
NUNNEY CASTLE AND VILLAGE (From a Photograph by Messrs Valentine, Dundee)
OLD BANK, PORLOCK (From a Photograph by Messrs Valentine, Dundee)
ALLERFORD (From a Photograph by Messrs Frith, Reigate)
SHEPTON MALLET CROSS (From a Photograph by Mr. Walter Raymond)
NETHER STOWEY (From a Photograph by Messrs Frith, Reigate)
TAUNTON FROM THE RIVER (From a Photograph by Messrs Valentine, Dundee)
WELLS CATHEDRAL (From a Photograph by Messrs Frith, Reigate)
VICARS' CLOSE, WELLS (From a Photograph by Messrs Frith, Reigate)
THE PALACE GATEWAY, WELLS (From a Photograph by Messrs Valentine, Dundee)
WESTON-SUPER-MARE (From a Photograph by Messrs Valentine, Dundee)
NINE SPRINGS, YEOVIL (From a Photograph by Messrs Valentine, Dundee)
MAP OF SOMERSET
INTRODUCTION
I.
SITUATION AND EXTENT
SOMERSET is one of the S.W. counties of England. On the N. it is washed by the Bristol Channel; on the N.E. the Avon, like a silver streak, divides it from Gloucestershire; it is bordered on the E. by Wiltshire; its S.E. neighbour is Dorset; and on the S.W. it touches Devon. Its shape is so irregular that dimensions give a misleading indication of its extent. Its extreme length is about 60 m., and its greatest width 38; but it narrows so rapidly westwards that where it abuts on Devon its average width is only 15 m. In point of size it stands seventh on the list of English counties, having an area of over a million acres, or 1633 square m. It lies between 2° 10' and 3° 50' W. longitude, and 50° 50' and 51° 30' N. latitude. Its population in 1901 was 508,104. It is one of the few counties which was originally the settlement of a single tribe, the Somersaetas, from whom it takes its name; and the fact that "Somerset" (like Dorset) is thus a tribal name is in favour of its dispensing with the suffix shire, though "Somersetshire" has been