Summary
Milestone. Probably C18.
Reasons for Designation
The milestone 30m south-west of Coker Hill Bridge, East Chinnock which probably dates from the C18 is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: * Intactness: as an intact milestone which remains in its original position;
* Historic Interest: it testifies to the great wave of C18 road improvement;
* Group value: it is part of a well-defined turnpike route between Crewkerne and Yeovil and forms a group with six other surviving milestones on this road.
History
The first Act of Parliament to establish a turnpike trust in Somerset was in 1707-08 for roads around Bath. Bristol came next in 1731, and during the second half of the century nearly all the towns of Somerset established their trusts by Act of Parliament. The main post road through Yeovil was included in the 1753 Act, turnpiking the road from Lower Compton, to the east of Sherborne, through Chard to Axminster. The Yeovil Turnpike Trust maintained the road between Crewkerne and Yeovil between 1753 and 1849.
The milestone to the south-west of Coker Hill Bridge is marked on the first edition Ordnance Survey map of 1887 as 'Crewkerne 5, Yeovil 4'. It is one of a set of eight milestones, of which seven are known to survive, which were erected along the principal route (A30) between Crewkerne and Yeovil, possibly in the C18.
Details
Milestone. Probably C18. MATERIALS: Hamstone with cast-iron plate. DESCRIPTION: the stone upright stands on the north side of the road (A30), and has a rounded top, probably due to weathering. The plate to the south face has a shouldered, curved top and is fixed with iron bolts. It is inscribed: 'IV YEOVIL', in simple incised lettering.
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