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Places in Somerset "A"
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A typical village of the Quantocks, with a small church and a few
sandstone
cottages midway up a wooded combe. From the top of the churchyard there
is a fine view across the trees to Will’s Neck (1261 ft), the highest
point of the
Quantocks ‘The poet Sir Henry Newbolt (1862-1938) whose best-known
poem
is Drake s Drum’, lived at Aisholt; Samuel Taylor Colridge had hoped
to do so but feared that his wife would find it too lonely. An
attractive addition to the landscape is the new Hawkridge Reservoir just
outside the village. |
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Its ancient name Kingsalre may be due to its associations with King
Alfred. This tranquil village nestles on the Western edge of High Ham Hill;
its houses built
mainly of local Blue Lias stone.
Aller has a very interesting and ancient
church, which stands away from the village centre to the south, on a small
hillock on the edge of the moor. It has a Norman scratch dial and doorway, two
interesting tombs, one of a crusading knight lying cross-legged, thought to be
Sir John Aller, and a knight in armour lying under a canopy, believed to be the
effigy of John de Clyvedon who built the chancel in the 14th century.
Legend has it that there was once a Dragon of Aller. The church has two fonts, both very old. Legend
has it that in one, Guthrum the Dane was baptised by King Alfred after his
defeat in 879 at the battle of Ethendune.
There is often a large variety of bird life in the area
particularly during the winter months as they come to the moor to feed. Part of
the much used and publicised Parrett trail passes through the parish.
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| Ansford name derives from the Ford over the River Brue near the home
of the Saxon King Almund. Recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as
Almundsford. Before the advent of more modern transport and new
roads Ansford provided a link on the main routes between Bath and
Bristol, and , the resorts of Weymouth and Sidmouth. At its height
Ansford boasted five coaching inns. |
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The Domesday Book mentions Ashill's extensive woodland, which gives the
village it's name, as well as 2 separate estates, both held by the Count of
Mortain. The parish was formerly part of the ancient forest of Neroche.
Ashill is set back from the main roads yet is still within easy striking
distance of many towns. It has thatched cottages
alongside more modern dwellings giving it an authentic
village feel.
Ashill is a friendly village welcoming people of all ages. It has many
facilities within the village itself. There is a
thriving community spirit.
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| Formerly an island in the marches, the retreat of Alfred, in 878, from
the Danes, around 8 miles SSE of Bridgwater. The Alfred Jewel, now in
the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, was found here in 1693. A Benedictine
monastery here, said to have been founded by Alfred in 888, existed
until 1539. |
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Anancient town which became a borough before 1066. It's hub is a
spacious square, off which there are many small old streets; the High
Street contains several histuric buildings, including King John’s
Hunting Lodge. an Elizabethan
building that has no connection with King John. The museum in the town
hall preserves the old stocks, a bull anchor’ used in bull—baiting
until the 19th century, and a money—changer’s table dating from
1627. A mile to the north, just beyond Rose Wood, a track narrows into a
2—mile footpath leading
across Callow Hill and on to a lane that returns to the outskirts of
Axbridge. |
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