Shepton Mallet and The Mendips
The towns of the Mendips are: Wells, Glastonbury, Street, Frome, Midsomer Norton and Shepton Mallet: all quite distinct, each with its own character.
Shepton Mallet is at the heart of the Mendip Hills, one of the cradles of Early English civilization. There are many walking trails that allow you to explore this beautiful countryside. Within the town are some fine old buildings tucked away but well worth searching out,including a beautiful church with the finest, most intricately carved barrel ceiling in the West Country.
Few towns gave a rougher reception to John Wesley or the ‘spinning Jenny’. There are also reminders of Judge Jefferies, the wool trade and the silk industries that flourished here. Wives used to be sold in the square and the museum contains finds from Mendip Caves, Roman remains and minerals.
And of course we have Carnival, bigger and better than Rio or Notting Hill. This year it arrived in Shepton on Wednesday 7th November at 7.30pm. As always this was a really special night. If you have never seen a carnival on our circuit you will be amazed at the effort, ingenuity and enthusiasm that goes into these wonderful creations. You certainly won't have seen anything like it. Truly one of our best kept secrets. Here are some more pictures, courtesy of the BBC, of this years event.
We are 2 miles from the Royal bath and West Show ground, host to events as varied as Antiques Fairs, Classic Car shows, religious revival events and the premier agricultural show of the West Country. They have also staged the occasional World Boxing Championship and pop concerts.
In addition, the area boasts a wealth of cultural heritage within the cities of Bath and Bristol, both a half hour car journey.
The world famous Glastonbury festival of music regularly takes place at Pilton, about 4 miles from the hotel.
Street is the home of Clarks’ shoes and good quality bargains can be had in the factory shops. Recently, part of the huge Clarks site has been turned into a Shopping Village and many well known brand names are featured there.
Coal was mined in Somerset for centuries. Although the pits closed in the 1950s, Radstock and Midsomer Norton are at the heart of the coal field and still retain much of the close knit characteristics of that community. There is a coal museum.
Frome is another market town set on the steep banks of the river Frome. The church, with its remarkable statues and the surrounding narrow streets and shops, are reminders of how we used to shop.
Explore wild beauty and prehistory above and below ground with the latest technology at Cheddar Caves & Gorge, and Wookey Hole, just 6 and 8 miles away.
The lions of Longleat are 11 miles away and just up the road from us you can take a journey on the East Somerset Steam Railway, a fully functional line.
It all adds up to a stay you’ll never forget.
useful links
East Somerset Railway - www.eastsomersetrailway.com
National Trust - www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Costume Museum – www.museumofcostume.co.uk
Royal Bath and West Show Ground – www.bathandwest.co.uk
Roman Baths – www.romanbaths.co.uk
Glastonbury Abbey – www.glastonburyabbey.com
Radstock Museum – www.somerset.gov.uk/museums
Wookey Hole – www.wookey.co.uk
Wells Cathedral – www.wellscathedral.org.uk
Cheddar Caves - www.cheddarcaves.co.uk
Longleat House & Safari Park - www.longleat.co.uk
Entertainment - www.bbc.co.uk/somerset/entertainment/
