Somerset
Explore hidden histories, historic photos, and things you never knew about Somerset from the collections and archives of Historic England.
Discover your local listed buildings and places
Introducing some of Somerset's most historic sites, included in the National Heritage List for England. Some of these captions have been summarised by AI. Click through for the official List entry. Skip this section and go to place by numbers
Compton Castle
Compton Pauncefoot
The landscape at Compton Castle was laid out in about 1820-25 in the Picturesque style, a creative movement inspired by nature, in contrast to the formality of earlier gardens.
Cricket House
Cricket St. Thomas
Cricket House features late 18th and early 19th-century landscapes, previously owned by Admiral Alexander Hood, remodeled by Sir John Soane, now a hotel and park.
City of Bath
Charlcombe
The official listing for all World Heritage sites is held by UNESCO and can be found on their website.
Admiral Hood Monument
Compton Dundon
The Admiral Hood Monument commemorates Sir Samuel Hood, Admiral, featuring a Doric column with naval symbols, honoring his leadership and virtues, died in 1814 at Madras.
St Michael's Church, monastic remains, and other settleme…
Glastonbury
Glastonbury Tor's remains reflect a historic spiritual center with monastic roots and associations with King Arthur.
World War II bombing decoy complex, anti-aircraft obstruc…
Cheddar
The Black Down site includes World War II decoy operations to protect Bristol, featuring rare anti-aircraft obstructions and prehistoric Beacon Batch barrows from the Bronze Age.
Anglo-Saxon occupation site and site of Athelney Abbey on…
Lyng
Athelney Abbey and Anglo-Saxon occupation site on Athelney Hill, linked to King Alfred, hold significant archaeological remains, including Alfred's fort, enriching early English history.
Aveline's Hole, Burrington Combe
Burrington
Aveline's Hole is a significant Palaeolithic cave in Somerset, notable for its Upper Palaeolithic artefacts and early multiple burials, highlighting human activity and preservation...
St Michael's Cheshire Home (formerly St Michael's Free Ho…
Axbridge
Former St Michael's Free Home for Consumptives built for patients suffering from tuberculosis.
Tonedale Mills (west complex)
Wellington
Tonedale Mills west complex is a historic multi-component wool textile factory with structures for diverse wool processing activities, highlighting its significance in the south-west textile...
Gardens at Oakwood/bathwick Tower and Smallcombe House
Bath
An early-C19 villa garden created by the painter Benjamin Barker, further improved in the early 1830s following alterations to the villa by the architect Edward Davis.
Worlebury Camp, a large multivallate hillfort and the lin…
Weston-Super-Mare
A large Iron Age hillfort and two linear earthworks to the east of it which also probably date from the prehistoric period.
Ilchester Roman town
Ilchester
Parts of Ilchester reflect Roman, Anglo-Saxon, and medieval heritage, featuring settlements, defences, and religious sites, showing significant historical development and strategic...
Barrow Court
Barrow Gurney
Barrow Court was historically connected to a Benedictine nunnery and developed through various ownerships.
Collection of monuments to the Joules family in churchyar…
Yatton
A collection of mid-C19 to early C20 funerary monuments commemorating the Joules family, who were known to be Gypsies local to Somerset.
Newton Park
Corston
Newton Park, an 18th-century landscape by Lancelot Brown and later Humphry Repton, surrounds a historical house now serving Bath Spa University College.
Multi-period site on Brean Down
Brean
Brean Down hosts archaeological remains from the Neolithic to WWII, including burial sites, a hillfort, field system, and a Romano-Celtic temple, highlighting its historical significance.
Periton Mead, with courtyard walls, piers and cobbled sur…
Minehead
A small country house, built circa 1915-22, by Percy Morley Horder for C S Orwin; with courtyard walls, piers and cobbled surface, raised terrace and steps.
Cathedral Church of St Andrew
Wells
The "Cathedral Church of St Andrew" is significant for its rich history, dating back to the 10th century, and contains notable architectural phases and restorations over centuries.
St Audries (House)
West Quantoxhead
St Audries, a house surrounded by 19th-century gardens and parkland, has an extensive history with notable owners like Sir Thomas Malet and development by architect John Norton.
Battle of Lansdown (Hill) 1643
Bitton
The Battle of Lansdown Hill in 1643 was a key conflict during the Civil Wars, where Royalists sought control but faced stalemate against Parliamentarians near Bath.
Ashton Court
Long Ashton
Ashton Court is a historic estate with origins in Bronze, Iron, and Roman periods, transitioning through medieval times into an 18th-century deer park, featuring Repton-influenced...
Ston Easton Park
Ston Easton
Ston Easton Park is an 18th-century estate known for its historic gardens designed by Humphry Repton.
Weston-Super-Mare Odeon Cinema
Weston-Super-Mare
Cinema with integrated parade of shops (shops vacant 2017). 1935 designed by by T Cecil Howitt and constructed by C Bryant & Son Ltd for the Odeon cinema chain.
Brent Knoll hillfort and associated field system
Brent Knoll
Brent Knoll hillfort is a large univallate fort with Iron Age origins, featuring Roman and Dark Age elements, associated with King Arthur legends and providing archaeological insights.
Nos. 1-30, ROYAL CRESCENT
Bath
Royal Crescent in Bath features 30 finely cut limestone houses in a grand crescent, designed by John Wood the Younger between 1767 and 1775.
Manor House
Bishop's Hull
The Manor House, dated 1586 with 19th-century additions, showcases historical architectural features like mullioned windows and a notable porch, though it's in poor condition (surveyed...
Wreck at Minehead, possibly the Bristol Packet
Minehead
The remains of a wooden sailing vessel of late 18th to early 19th century date, located in the inter-tidal zone at Madbrain Sands, Minehead, Somerset, and believed to be the remains of the...
Key Farm House
East Coker
Key Farm House, circa 1600, features local stone rubble, Ham stone dressings, and mullioned windows, with 18th-century modifications. It has a simple interior with historical elements.
Waterworks at Blagdon: Pumping Station with Receiving Tanks
Blagdon
A pumping station in Jacobean revival style with two receiving tanks, built in 1902-05 to designs by T & C Hawksley of Westminster, with Charles Hawksley as chief engineer, housing two beam...
Weston-super-Mare Library
Weston-Super-Mare
Public library, 1900, by local architect Hans Fowler Price (1835-1912) with SJ Wilde and PG Fry.
Taunton Castle: a motte and bailey castle, part of the ou…
Taunton
The monument includes a motte and bailey castle, part of the outer bailey or ward, and other features, including a Civil War artillery platform on the north-east side of the castle and an...
Deserted medieval village of Nether Adber
Marston Magna
Nether Adber exemplifies typical deserted medieval villages showcasing agricultural communities and preserved archaeological features.
Black Nore Lighthouse
Portishead
The lighthouse at Black Nore Point was erected by Trinity House in 1894; it was subsequently altered in the mid-C20 when it was automated, and further modernised in circa 2000.
Dowsborough hillfort and associated round barrow
Holford
Dowsborough hillfort features a rare inturned entrance with guardhouses. It is nationally important for understanding Iron Age society and past uses, including as a fire beacon mound.
Roman settlement, part of an associated field system and …
Long Ashton
A Roman settlement, an associated irregular aggregate field system and earlier Iron Age settlement remains, overlooking the Land Yeo river valley.
Barwick Park
Barwick and Stoford
Barwick Park, originally developed c 1770, features a Jacobean Revival mansion, picturesque grounds, and three notable follies.
Roman settlement site, Anglo-Saxon and Norman royal palac…
Cheddar
The site at Cheddar hosts Anglo-Saxon and Roman remnants, a royal palace, and St Columbanus' Chapel, showcasing its evolution over centuries.
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Search for more listed placesSomerset through time
This timeline shows the first period of use for buildings and places on the National Heritage List for England, just one of the details recorded for every list entry. Click around to see how Somerset changes over time. Skip this section and go to aerial photos
Prehistoric Before AD 43
Prehistory covers a million years of human occupation before the Roman invasion, from hunter-gatherers of several human species, including Neanderthals, to more recent herders and farmers. It was a time of developing technologies and belief systems, involving contact with and migration from Europe, all reflected in the variety of artefact and monument types characteristic of particular prehistoric periods.
Roman AD 43 to AD 410
Britain was invaded by four legions of the Roman army in AD 43, who relatively rapidly conquered England from landing points in Kent. Parts of Wales and Scotland soon followed.
Roman culture brought urbanism, monumental buildings, wide-ranging religious beliefs, writing, and strong social hierarchy. The Roman administrative system was withdrawn in AD 410.
Early medieval AD 410 to AD 1066
This period, often associated in England with Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, saw a reduction in urban living from the Roman period and increased migration from northern Europe.
Traces of this period can be found in cemeteries, particularly in artefacts and in some of the very early churches, as this period also saw the growth of Christianity in Britain.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Catholic Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanently altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Prehistoric Before AD 43
Prehistory covers a million years of human occupation before the Roman invasion, from hunter-gatherers of several human species, including Neanderthals, to more recent herders and farmers. It was a time of developing technologies and belief systems, involving contact with and migration from Europe, all reflected in the variety of artefact and monument types characteristic of particular prehistoric periods.
Roman AD 43 to AD 410
Britain was invaded by four legions of the Roman army in AD 43, who relatively rapidly conquered England from landing points in Kent. Parts of Wales and Scotland soon followed.
Roman culture brought urbanism, monumental buildings, wide-ranging religious beliefs, writing, and strong social hierarchy. The Roman administrative system was withdrawn in AD 410.
Early medieval AD 410 to AD 1066
This period, often associated in England with Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, saw a reduction in urban living from the Roman period and increased migration from northern Europe.
Traces of this period can be found in cemeteries, particularly in artefacts and in some of the very early churches, as this period also saw the growth of Christianity in Britain.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Catholic Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanently altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Aerial photos of Somerset
Aerial photography helps reveal secrets of England's changing landscapes that are impossible to see from the ground. Skip this section and go to archive images

Bridgwater
The British Cellophane Ltd Factory, Bridgwater, 1947

Bridgwater
The British Cellophane Ltd Factory and surrounding area, Bridgwater, 1953

Weston-Super-Mare
Glentworth Bay and Marine Lake, Weston-Super-Mare, 1928

Weston-Super-Mare
The Marine Lake, Weston-super-Mare, 1949

Brushford
Hele Manor, Brushford, 1952

Brushford
Hele Manor, Brushford, 1952

Cranmore
Southill House, Cranmore, 1939

Cranmore
Southill House, Cranmore, 1939

Weston-Super-Mare
View over Weston-Super-Mare and the Grand Pier, Weston-Super-Mare, 1920

Weston-Super-Mare
Crowds on the beach near the entrance to the Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare, 1949
Somerset in the Historic England Archive
The Historic England Archive cares for over 15 million images, dating from the 1850s to the present day. Discover stunning images of Somerset's past. Skip this section and go to stories about heritage
Charles George Harper Collection
South Somerset, Somerset
Date created: 1880 - 1900
A man standing beside the cross in the churchyard of St Aldhelm and St Eadburgha's Church
Eric de Mare
Tatworth, Somerset
Date created: 1945 - 1980
Exterior view of Parrocks Lodge in Tatworth. It dates from the late eighteenth century.
John Gay Collection: Rural Life
Brendon Hills, Somerset
Date created: 1955 - 1965
A view from a wooded riverbank with tree trunks in the foreground, looking over a calm stretch of river to a field and hillside woodland.
John Gay Collection: Counties
Quantock Hills, Somerset
Date created: Apr 1953
View of the landscape in the Quantock Hills, with a stream lying in front of a thatched cottage on a wooded slope
John Laing Collection
Taunton, Taunton Deane, Somerset
Date created: 01 Mar 1957
A group portrait of Laing workers from the shutter team at an Easiform housing site in Taunton
London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company
Mendip, Somerset
Date created: 23 Jun 1898
A man walking past St Thomas a Becket's Church on Pylle Lane, seen from the south-east
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
South Somerset, Somerset
Date created: 1900 - 1930
GENERAL VIEW
Margaret Tomlinson Collection
Somerset
Date created: Oct 1942
An exterior view of the George Hotel on Middle Street viewed from the north west
Walter Scott
Bath, Bath And North East Somerset
Date created: Sep 1946
A view looking north-east down Holloway towards St Mark's parish hall, from east of the junction with Old Orchard, with the Royal Hotel visible in the...
John Gay Collection: Rural Life
Brendon Hills, Somerset
Date created: 1955 - 1965
A close-up view of wild grasses growing in the Somerset countryside, with an area of woodland in the background.
John Gay Collection: Counties
Somerset
Date created: Mar 1958 - May 1958
A woman holding a truckle of cheese in the maturing room of a cheesemakers in Somerset
Stories about heritage in your local area
Historic England publishes news, blogs, research, videos, and podcasts celebrating England's rich heritage. Discover the stories we have about Somerset. Skip this section and go to education
How Did Shakespeare Hide the Truth Behind the Wars of the Roses Battlefields?
Mentions Battle of Sedgemoor 1685
Discover the myths and realities of England's historic battlefields in the Wars of the Roses as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of their register.
A Brief Introduction to the History of the Railway in England
Mentions Weston-super-Mare Railway Station, Disused signal box north-east of Weston-Super-Mare Railway Station
Discover when the first steam train was invented in England, and when the world's first public railway opened in Stockton and Darlington in 1825.
The Legend of King Arthur
Mentions Large multivallate hillfort and associated earthworks at South Cadbury, St Michael's Church, monastic remains, and other settlement remains on Glastonbury Tor, Glastonbury Abbey
King Arthur was central to the legendary tales of medieval romance. Discover the places connected to Camelot, Tintagel, and the Battle of Badon Hill.
A Brief Introduction to Romani Gypsy Heritage in England
Mentions Church of St Mary, Collection of monuments to the Joules family in churchyard,
Discover the Romani Gypsy and Traveller history and heritage in England through the art, culture and landscapes of the country.
What Is the Oldest House in England?
Mentions Saltford Manor House
Discover when the oldest house in England was built. The earliest domestic house, Saltford Manor House, could date from the 12th century.
The Timeless Charm of English Market Towns and Halls
Mentions Yarn Market
Discover the history of English market towns and halls, including farmers' markets, Christmas markets, market squares and corn exchanges.
6 Historic Places That Inspired Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings
Mentions Gough's Cave, Cheddar Gorge
Catch a glimpse of Middle-Earth at these listed historical sites in England.
5 Things to Know About Coronations
Mentions Abbey Church of St Peter and St Paul
Discover the history and heritage behind the ancient English coronation ceremony.
Historic North Sea Floods
Mentions Church of All Saints
The 1953 East Coast floods and other major historic floods that have impacted coastal England over the last 1,000 years.
What Is the Oldest Pub or Inn in England?
Mentions The George Inn
Many pubs and inns claim to be the oldest pub in England. Here are the facts.
The Life and Times of King Alfred the Great
Mentions King Alfred's Monument With Railings, Anglo-Saxon burh at East Lyng
Explore the story of the Saxon King often credited with being the founder of the English nation.
Weston-super-Mare: the Town and its Seaside History
Mentions The Thatched Cottage, The Royal Hotel,, Sauna and Solarium
From a small village to a popular seaside resort, Weston has a distinct architecture and seaside history.
Mentions Somerset
The west end of Weston-super-Mare's High Street is characterised by a unique and unusual group of 20th-century buildings.
Walker & Ling: Weston-Super-Mare's Iconic Department Store
The west end of Weston-super-Mare's High Street is characterised by a unique and unusual group of 20th-century buildings. Walker & Ling, a department store that first opened its doors in 1892, has been restored to its former glory in May 2021.
Uncovering the Secrets and Vulnerability of Glastonbury Lake Village
Mentions Glastonbury lake village, Somerset
Reporting on a project to research and protect England’s best-preserved Iron Age settlement.
Research Reports Roundup February 2025
Mentions Somerset
A roundup of the latest additions to our research reports database from October 2024 to February 2025, arranged by theme.
Value of Heritage-led Regeneration for England’s High Streets Revealed by New Independent Evaluation
Mentions Somerset
Led by Historic England, the High Street Heritage Action Zone programme unlocked the potential of 67 historic high streets across England.
Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive at Historic England, Announces Retirement and Recruitment Starts for His Successor
Mentions Somerset
Duncan Wilson CBE has announced that he will retire in October this year. Historic England is now recruiting for his successor.
Mendip Hospital Cemetery in Wells, Somerset, is Listed
Mentions Mendip Hospital Cemetery, Mortuary chapel, Somerset
The Mendip Hospital cemetery and mortuary chapel in Wells, Somerset, have been recognised for their special historic interest.
Challenges to Thatch Supply Threaten Vital Rural Industry
Mentions Somerset
A new report published by Historic England and Historic Environment Scotland highlights threats to the thatching industry.
Preserving Archaeological Remains
Mentions Somerset
A behind the scenes look at recent guidelines for best practice in preserving archaeological sites
The English Railway Station
Mentions Somerset
The first-ever national survey of these iconic structures has been published by Historic England.
The Seafront: Exploring the Seaside's Shop Window
Mentions Somerset
Explore the seafront heritage of England's seaside resorts, a space that is both familiar and surprising.
Weston-super-Mare: a Victorian Seaside Town
Mentions Somerset
Research into the historic buildings of Weston-super-Mare from the Victorian period onward.
Emmets Post
Mentions Somerset
An archaeological project part-funded by Historic England revealed intriguing construction details at a Bronze Age barrow on the edge of Dartmoor.
Weston-Super-Mare: the View From Above
Mentions Somerset
Historic aerial photographs of this Heritage Action Zone in Historic England’s Archive show Weston at war and peace.
Somerset's social history through photos
Over 10,000 images from the Historic England Archive have been specially selected and re-captioned for teachers, students, and anyone who wants to learn more about their local area. Skip this section and go to grant-aided places
Wookey Hole Paper Mill, St Cuthbert Out, Somerset
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
Wookey Hole paper mill was built in c1860. It was built for W S Hodkinson. It is a three-storey building standing over the River Axe.
Wookey Hole Paper Mill, St Cuthbert Out, Somerset
Winding Engine House at Newbury Colliery, Coleford, Somerset
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
This engine house was built in c1860. The Newbury Colliery had been producing coal since 1799.
Winding Engine House at Newbury Colliery, Coleford, Somerset
Wheelbarrow race, Exmoor, Somerset
Period: 1950s (1950 - 1959)
A scene from an equestrian event held on Exmoor, Somerset, showing a young woman in a riding outfit being pushed in a wheelbarrow by an older man,...
Wheelbarrow race, Exmoor, Somerset
West front of Wells Cathedral, Wells, Somerset
Period: Medieval (Middle Ages) (1066 - 1484)
The imposing west front of Wells Cathedral seen here from across the Cathedral Close is one of the most important galleries of 13th-century sculpture...
West front of Wells Cathedral, Wells, Somerset
Watchet Harbour, Watchet, Somerset
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
General view looking west across Watchet Harbour with a harbourside crane in the foreground
Washing Machine at Tone Works, Wellington, Somerset
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
Tone Works deals with the washing, drying and finishing of cloth produced at the nearby Tonedale Mill.
Washing Machine at Tone Works, Wellington, Somerset
War Memorial, Westonzoyland, Somerset
Period: 1920s (1920 - 1929)
This memorial was built by C & A Stacey Bros., who both served in the war. It was built in c1920.
War Memorial, Westonzoyland, Somerset
Walton Castle, Clevedon, North Somerset
Period: Stuart (1603 - 1713)
This castle was, in fact, a crenellated Gothic folly/hunting lodge. It was built in c1620 by the first Lord Poulett.
Walton Castle, Clevedon, North Somerset
Visit grant-aided places near you
These places and buildings have been helped by Historic England's financial grants. Find local heritage in your neighbourhood that you never knew existed! Please note that opening times may vary. Skip this section and go to related locations
Ilchester Roman Cemetery, Northover, Ilchester, Yeovil, Somerset
Ilchester Roman Cemetary is a two-acre plot of land featuring a variety of trees and shrubs.
Jordans Shell Grotto, Ilminster, Somerset
Jordans Shell Grotto is a shell aviary, constructed as a hamstone summerhouse-folly with a thatched roof, stained glass windows, and a cupola.
Tyntesfield, Wraxall, Bristol
This large country house was built in 1813 for John Seymour and bought by William Gibbs in 1843.
Wellington Monument, Wellington, Somerset
The Monument is open to the public for tours 3 days a week, 10-4 from April till September.
Discover more
Ready for more local stories? Take a look at these other places nearby