Mendip is a local government district of Somerset in England. The Mendip district covers a largely rural area of 285 square miles (738 km2)[1] ranging from the Mendip Hills through on to the Somerset Levels. It has a population of approximately 110,000.[1] The administrative centre of the district is Shepton Mallet but the largest town (with more than twice the population of Shepton Mallet) is Frome.[2][3]
A scheduled monument is a nationally important archaeological site or monument which is given legal protection by being placed on a list (or "schedule") by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport; Historic England takes the leading role in identifying such sites. The legislation governing this is the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The term "monument" can apply to the whole range of archaeological sites, and they are not always visible above ground. Such sites have to have been deliberately constructed by human activity. They range from prehistoric standing stones and burial sites, through Roman remains and medieval structures such as castles and monasteries, to later structures such as industrial sites and buildings constructed for the World Wars or the Cold War.[4]
Priddy Nine Barrows and Ashen Hill Barrow Cemeteries are a collection of round barrows, dating from the Bronze Age. The barrows sit on crests of land at either end of a field in an area of the Mendip Hills with several Neolithic remains. They are assumed to be related to the Priddy Circles which lie 750 metres (2,460 ft) to the north. Ashen Hill consists of six bowl barrows and two bell barrows aligned east to west while Priddy Nine Barrows divided into one group of seven round barrows and another pair slightly separated from the others. Excavations in 1815 uncovered cremation burials and grave goods. A geophysical magnetometry survey suggested that there may have been three further barrows.
Badger Hole is a dry cave on the slopes above the Wookey ravine near the Wookey Hole Caves resurgence and contain in situ cave sediments laid down during the Ice Age. Just outside the cave the foundations of a 1st-century hut have been identified. These had been built on during the Roman era up to the end of the 4th century.
The site of a chapel, also known as St Brigid's Chapel, and medieval cemetery. The chapel was "in ruins" in 1791. Excavations in 1967 found the remains of 63 burials.
Earthworks from a medieval Bishop's Palace first documented in 1224 which may have been built by Jocelin of Wells. New buildings were added in the 1550s which included the only building which still survives and is used as Court Farmhouse.
The Bishop's Palace and accompanying Bishops House is adjacent to Wells Cathedral and has been the home of the Bishops of the Diocese of Bath and Wells for 800 years. Building of the palace started around 1210 by Bishops Jocelin of Wells and Reginald Fitz Jocelin. The chapel and great hall were added by Bishop Robert Burnell between 1275 and 1292. The walls, gatehouse and moat were added in the 14th century by Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury. The Bishops House was added in the 15th century by Bishop Thomas Beckington. The great hall later fell into disrepair and was partially demolished around 1830. The palace was originally surrounded by a medieval deer park. When the walls were built, streams were diverted to form the moat as a reservoir. In the 1820s, the grounds within the walls were planted and laid out as pleasure grounds by Bishop George Henry Law, who created a reflecting pond near the springs. Parts of the buildings are still used as a residence by the current bishop, however much of the palace is now used for public functions and as a tourist attraction.
Local stone roughly squared, with Doulting ashlar dressings and a Westmorland slate roof. Royalist troops were quartered in the barn during the Bloody Assizes.
Brown's Gatehouse (also known as the Dean's Eye) is an entrance gateway into a walled precinct, the Liberty of St Andrew, which encloses the twelfth century Cathedral, the Bishop's Palace, Vicar's Close and the residences of the clergy who serve the cathedral. The Brown's Gatehouse was built around 1451, by Bishop Thomas Beckington (also spelt Beckyngton), and provides the entrance to the Bishop's Place from Sadler Street. It is named after the shoemaker Richard Brown, who was the next door tenant in 1553. It is a two-storey building of Doulting ashlar stone, with a Welsh slate roof with coped gables behind parapets.
The lead and silvermines at Charterhouse, were first operated on a large scale by the Romans, from at least A.D. 49. At first the lead/silver industries were tightly controlled by the Roman military, but within a short time the extraction of these metals was contracted out to civilian companies, probably because the silver content of the local ore was not particularly high.
The site of a four pipe duck decoy with an oval pool approximately 40 metres (130 ft) long with an oval island. The site was dredged in 1985 and still attracts water fowl.
Earthworks from a Christian settlement which was also occupied during the Roman period and Middle Ages. The remains of a rectangular building which is thought to have been a chapel have been identified surrounded by a bank and ditch. The site which was known as Martinsey or Martin's Island and was connected with Glastonbury Abbey.
Farleigh Hungerford Castle was built in two phases: the inner court was constructed between 1377 and 1383 by Sir Thomas Hungerford. His son, Sir Walter Hungerford, extended the castle with an additional, outer court, enclosing the parish church in the process. In the English Civil War in 1642, the castle was seized by Royalist forces in 1643, but recaptured by Parliament without a fight near the end of the conflict in 1645. By the 18th century the castle fell into disrepair; in 1730 it was bought by the Houlton family, when much of it was broken up for salvage. In the 1915 Farleigh Hungerford Castle was sold to the Office of Works and a restoration programme began. It is now owned by English Heritage, who operate it as a tourist attraction.
Fenny Castle is the remains of a motte and bailey castle sited on a natural hillock of Lias approximately 20 metres (66 ft) above the surrounding flat land on the edge of the Somerset Levels. Little remains of the stonework, and there is evidence of extensive quarrying. The mound is now covered in grass and scrub with a few trees.
Glastonbury Abbey was a monastery founded in the 7th century and enlarged in the 10th, before a major fire in 1184 destroyed the buildings. It was rebuilt and by the 14th century was one of the richest and most powerful monasteries in England. The abbey was suppressed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries under King Henry VIII of England. The last abbot, Richard Whiting (Whyting), was hanged, drawn and quartered as a traitor on Glastonbury Tor in 1539. From at least the 12th century the Glastonbury area was frequently associated with the legend of King Arthur, a connection promoted by medieval monks who asserted that Glastonbury was Avalon. Christian legends have also claimed that the abbey was founded by Joseph of Arimathea in the 1st century. The ruins of Glastonbury Abbey were purchased by the Bath and Wells Diocesan Trust in 1908 and are now the property of and managed by the Glastonbury Abbey trust.
Glastonbury Lake Village was an Iron Age village on a 'crannog' or man made island in the Somerset Levels. It has been described as "the best preserved prehistoric village ever found in the United Kingdom". The site covered an area of 122 metres (400 ft) north to south by 91 metres (300 ft) east to west. It was first constructed 250 B.C. by laying down timber and clay. Wooden houses and barns were then built on the clay base and occupied by up to 200 people at any time until the village was abandoned around 50 B.C.
Priddy Nine Barrows and Ashen Hill Barrow Cemeteries are a collection of round barrows, dating from the Bronze Age. The barrows sit on crests of land at either end of a field in an area of the Mendip Hills with several Neolithic remains. They are assumed to be related to the Priddy Circles which lie 750 metres (2,460 ft) to the north. Ashen Hill consists of six bowl barrows and two bell barrows aligned east to west while Priddy Nine Barrows divided into one group of seven round barrows and another pair slightly separated from the others. Excavations in 1815 uncovered cremation burials and grave goods. A geophysical magnetometry survey suggested that there may have been three further barrows.
Drove Cottage Henge is situated in a valley. The bank circumscribing the henge is about 11.5 metres (38 ft) thick and 0.4 metres (1.3 ft) high, with a diameter of around 54 metres (177 ft) when measuring from the outsides of the banks. Just inside this bank is a ditch 6 metres (20 ft) wide and 0.3 metres (0.98 ft) deep, enclosing a circular central area about 19 metres (62 ft) in diameter. In the northern portion of this central area is a low-lying mound in front of the exit, which appears as a break in the outside bank.
An early Iron Age earthwork, probably a stock enclosure but known as Fox Covert, occupies 3.25 hectares (8.0 acres) on a spur of Creech Hill overlooking the River Alham valley.
Roddenbury Hillfort is a univallateIron Age hillfort. The site covers 0.84 hectares (2.1 acres). It some places the protective bank has been destroyed in others it remains up to 1.6 metres (5.2 ft) high and has a 1.8 metres (5.9 ft) ditch below it.
Kingsdown Camp is an Iron Age hill fort. It is a univallate fort with an area of 0.15 hectares (0.37 acres), and is approximately quadrilateral in shape. In the Iron Age or Roman period a drystone wall was constructed, possibly 4 metres (13 ft) high and 2.5 metres (8 ft) wide. There is an entrance on the northeast side. The fort continued to be used by the Romans.
King's Castle is an Iron Ageenclosed hilltop settlement at the south-western edge of the Mendip Hills. It consists of two or three interlinked sub-enclosures, with what appears to be a field system extending to the east; an unusual layout, the site remains relatively little studied and has not been archaeologically excavated. It is a scheduled monument, and shares its name with the surrounding King's Castle Wood—today a Somerset Wildlife Trust nature reserve—though this name is probably a modern invention.
Meare Lake Village is the site of an Iron Age settlement on the Somerset Levels. In prehistoric times there were two villages situated within the now-drained Meare Pool, occupied at different times between 300 B.C. and 100 AD. The villages were built on a morass on an artificial foundation of timber filled with brushwood, bracken, rubble and clay.
The New Ditch is a linear earthwork of possible Iron Age or Medieval construction. Its construction is similar to Ponter's Ball Dyke 4.8 kilometres (3 mi) to the northeast, with the dyke on the south east of the embankment, but of less massive construction. Both were probably part of a more extensive defence scheme. It is nearly 0.8 kilometres (0.5 mi) in length and was probably of greater extent originally, but as it stands, New Ditch cannot be termed a cross-ridge dyke although it does seem to be a boundary work. It is debatable whether this site is ancient because it is located close to a medieval woodland and a deer park.
Maesbury Castle is an Iron Age hill fort. The enclosure has an area of 2.5 hectares (6.2 acres), and lies at a height of 292 metres (958 ft). The fort has a single rampart up to 6 metres (20 ft) high, with an outer ditch (univallate). Entrances are to the south-east and north-east (with possible outworks).
The hexagonal market cross was built in the early 16th century. The central column is surrounded by six segmental arches which were added around 1700. Six rebels from the Monmouth Rebellion were executed at the site in 1685.
Marston Moat is the site of a fortified manor house built before 1195. The 7.0 metres (23 ft) wide moat which measures 33 metres (108 ft) by 57 metres (188 ft) has a 3.0 metres (10 ft) wide and 0.30 metres (1 ft) high bank on its south and east sides.
An octagonal base of three steps supports the shaft of the cross. The lower 0.3 metres (1 ft 0 in) of the shaft is original. The upper part is more recent.
Nunney Castle was built in the late 14th century by Sir John Delamare on the profits of his involvement in the Hundred Years' War, the moated castle's architectural style, possibly influenced by the design of French castles, has provoked considerable academic debate. Remodelled during the late 16th century, Nunney Castle was damaged during the English Civil War and is now ruined. The architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner has described Nunney as "aesthetically the most impressive castle in Somerset."
Priddy Nine Barrows and Ashen Hill Barrow Cemeteries include two bowl barrows which are separated from the others. Similarly to the other seven they are around 20 metres (66 ft) in diameter and rise to between 2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in) and 3 metres (9.8 ft) high.
In the 1070s St Margaret's Chapel was built on Magdelene Street, originally as a hospital and later as almshouses for the poor. The building dates from 1444. The roof of the hall is thought to have been removed after the Dissolution, and some of the building was demolished in the 1960s. It is Grade II* listed, and a scheduled monument. In 2010 plans were announced to restore the building.
Ponter's Ball Dyke is a linear earthwork. It consists of an embankment with a ditch on the east side. The current visible remains extend to just over 1 kilometre (0.62 mi). Interpretation of the site is not clear. It is possible that it was part of a longer defensive barrier associated with New Ditch three miles to the south-west which is built in a similar manner. It has been suggested that it is part of a great Celtic sanctuary, probably 3rd century B.C., while others date it to the post-Roman period and connect it with the Dark Age occupation on Glastonbury Tor. The 1970 excavation suggests the 12th century or later.
Priddy Circles are a linear arrangement of four circular earthwork enclosures. They are described as 'probable Neolithic ritual or ceremonial monuments similar to a henge'.
The amphitheatre stood west of Charterhouse Roman Town. It is the only one in England to exist at a lead mine. It measures 32 metres (105 ft) by 24.4 metres (80 ft) and the banks for the seating survive 4.5 metres (15 ft) above the arena. It was probably a place of entertainment for the soldiers at the Roman fort which was established here.
Charterhouse Roman Town grew up around the north-western edge of prehistoric lead and silvermines, which were exploited by the Romans. Extraction is thought to have begun as early as 49 A.D. and continued until at least the 4th century.
Earthworks from a Roman villa surrounded by an enclosure with a ditch surrounding 100 square metres (1,100 sq ft) from which a large number of artefacts have been recovered.
A section of the Sweet Track, an ancient causeway built in either 3807 or 3806 B.C. and the earlier structure, the Post Track. Construction was of crossed wooden poles, driven into the waterlogged soil to support a walkway that consisted mainly of planks of oak, laid end-to-end. The track was only used for a period of around 10 years and was then abandoned, probably due to rising water levels.
A section of the Sweet Track, an ancient causeway built in either 3807 or 3806 B.C. and the earlier structure, the Post Track. Construction was of crossed wooden poles, driven into the waterlogged soil to support a walkway that consisted mainly of planks of oak, laid end-to-end. The track was only used for a period of around 10 years and was then abandoned, probably due to rising water levels.
Small Down Knoll, or Small Down Camp, is a Bronze Age hill fort. Finds of flints indicate a prehistoric Mesolithic occupation. The fort has multiple ramparts (multivallate) following the contours of the hilltop, enclosing an area of about 2.4 ha (6 acres). Most of the perimeter is a double rampart, but the flatter eastern side has an extra counterscarp rampart with well-defined double ditches. There are two entrances to the south-east: one is a simple opening with evidence of a guardhouse; and the other shows linear features of a holloway. The fort contains about 14 round barrows (tumuli), which form a line of burials running east–west along the crest of the hill. The fort and the barrows appear to be Bronze Age, but excavations have found some Iron Age pottery in the barrows and the ditches.
Blacker's Hill is roughly rectangular and is a promentary type. It covers 6 hectares (15 acres) and originally had two ramparts and two ditches, but on the west and south sides it was defended by the steep drop. In some places the ramparts survive to a considerable height but on the north east side the inner rampart and ditch have been destroyed. There are three gaps but only that on the east seems to be original.
The remains of lead mines used between the Romano-British era until the late 19th century. It consists of a series of earthen banks and pools; however the buildings no longer exist. Fair Lady Well is a stone chamber over a spring which was constructed in the Middle Ages.
Several buildings have been constructed on the summit of Glastonbury Tor during the Saxon and early medieval periods; they have been interpreted as an early church and monks' hermitage. The head of a wheel cross dating from the 10th or 11th century has been recovered. The original wooden church was destroyed by an earthquake in 1275, and the stone Church of St Michael built on the site in the 14th century. Its tower remains, although it has been restored and partially rebuilt several times. Archaeological excavations during the 20th century sought to clarify the background of the monument and church, but some aspects of their history remain unexplained.
The Tithe Barn is now the venue for the Somerset Rural Life Museum. It is a museum of the social and agricultural history of Somerset, housed in buildings surrounding a 14th-century barn once belonging to Glastonbury Abbey. It was used as a Tithe barn for the storage of arable produce, particularly wheat and rye, from the abbey's home farm of approximately 212 hectares (524 acres). Threshing and winnowing would also have been carried out in the barn. The barn which was built from local shelly limestone, with thick timbers supporting the stone tiling of the roof. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 the barn was given to the Duke of Somerset. By the early 20th century it was being used as a farm store by the Mapstone family. In 1974 they donated it to Somerset County Council and between 1976 and 1978 underwent restoration.
The Abbot's Fish House was built in the 14th century. It is the only surviving monastic fishery building in England. Fishing was an important source of food for the monks of Glastonbury Abbey. Fishing was carried out in artificial ponds, which were mentioned at Meare in the Domesday Book and from the River Brue and Meare Pool. The present rectangular stone building was constructed by the abbot between 1322 and 1335 for the storage and processing of the fish and as a residence for the chief fisherman. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries the building fell into disrepair and it was seriously damaged by fire in the 1880s. Some restoration has been undertaken during the 20th century, including the replacement of the roof in the 1920s.
The Tithe Barn was built in the 15th century. Tithe barns were used to store tithes, from the local farmers to the ecclesiastical landlords. In this case the landlord was Glastonbury Abbey.
The Tithe Barn in Pilton was built in the 14th century as a tithe barn to hold produce for Glastonbury Abbey. It was damaged by fire in 1963 and it remained a wreck until Michael Eavis, organiser of the Glastonbury Festival, bought it in 1995, and presented the barn to the Pilton Barn Trust. The project was made possible with a grant of £400,000 from English Heritage. The Glastonbury festival contributed a further £100,000.
The Tribunal was built in the 15th century as a merchant's house. The history of the building is not well documented, although the majority of the present stone house was constructed in the 15th century on the site of a 12th-century wooden building. The current front wall was added in the 16th century. It has been used as a merchant's house and possibly a shop and school. The building is currently in the guardianship of English Heritage and used as a tourist information centre. On the first floor is the museum of the Glastonbury Antiquarian Society which houses artefacts from Glastonbury Lake Village.
Priddy Circles are a linear arrangement of four circular earthwork enclosures. They are described as 'probable Neolithic ritual or ceremonial monuments similar to a henge'.
Westbury Camp is a univallateIron Age hill fort. The camp is largely situated in a hill slope. The north east defences has largely been destroyed by small quarries over the years. The narrow top of the hill bank suggests that it may have been surmounted by a dry stone wall. Along part of the east side of the camp there are traces of a berm between the bank and the outer ditch and at the western angle shallow quarry pits occur internally and externally set back from the 'rampart'.
Earthworks from a World War II bombing decoy town. The decoy, known under the code name Starfish used fires of creosote and water to simulate incendiary bombs exploding. The site was home to a Z battery of anti aircraft rockets. Piles of stones (known as cairns) were also created to prevent enemy aircraft from using the hilltop as a landing site.
^The date given is the date used by Historic England as significant for the initial building or that of an important part in the structure's description.
^"Shepton Mallet Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
^"Frome Parish". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
^Gathercole, Clare (2003). "An Archaeological Assessment of Wells"(PDF). Somerset Extensive Urban Survey. Somerset County Council. pp. 3–6. Archived from the original(PDF) on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
^Morgan, Vicky (10 December 2002). "Ponter's Ball Dyke". Ancient Village or Settlement in England in Somerset. Megalithic Portal. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
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