Whitstone Cottage’s guidebook
Neighbourhoods
Whitstone Cottage is located in the heart of Shepton Mallet, on the old road into the town centre. There is still a toll house (albeit now residential) at the start of Board Cross. The street gets its name from the very basic church (now also residential) situated a few doors down from Whitstone Cottage, also dating back to the 18th century.
The beautiful Anglo Brewery is at the end of Board Cross and is a fine example of Victorian architecture. It was a major player in the Victorian Brewing scene and was the first place in the UK to brew lager. Until the start of the Second World War, it was called The Anglo-Bavarian Brewery, when the Bavarian part was dropped.
Shepton is a town in the heart of The Mendip Hills, designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Settlement in Shepton dates back to prehistoric times, but there is also strong evidence of Roman occupation later on.
In its heyday Shepton was a thriving medieval market town, whose main industry was textiles, but more specifically wool. It was listed in the Doomsday Book as Cepeton; Olde English for Sheep Town. Shepton Mallet is the first place in the UK with a double-barrelled name, the Mallet part being added when Henry I gave the land to the Mallet family in 1100.
The town continued to boom until the 1960s when Dr Beaching axed the vast majority of the railways in the UK. Shepton lost 2 Railway Stations and it’s main trading routes in and out of the town. It’s population and commerce has declined ever since, although it is back on the up!
The market still runs here every Friday morning and dates back to 1318. The stalls sell a wide range of fresh, local produce and crafts.
Shamble is a medieval term for "a table or stall for the sale of meat" (Oxford English Dictionary).
At the east end of the Market Place in Shepton Mallet stands a restored and re-erected bay of the town's 15th century shambles. They are made of oak and have a pantiled roof. The shambles originally stood along the north and south sides of the market place and were separated from the adjacent houses by a 10-15 feet wide gangway. The shambles on the south side were demolished in the early 19th century but those on the north side survived until 1919.
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Shepton Mallet
Whitstone Cottage is located in the heart of Shepton Mallet, on the old road into the town centre. There is still a toll house (albeit now residential) at the start of Board Cross. The street gets its name from the very basic church (now also residential) situated a few doors down from Whitstone Cottage, also dating back to the 18th century.
The beautiful Anglo Brewery is at the end of Board Cross and is a fine example of Victorian architecture. It was a major player in the Victorian Brewing scene and was the first place in the UK to brew lager. Until the start of the Second World War, it was called The Anglo-Bavarian Brewery, when the Bavarian part was dropped.
Shepton is a town in the heart of The Mendip Hills, designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Settlement in Shepton dates back to prehistoric times, but there is also strong evidence of Roman occupation later on.
In its heyday Shepton was a thriving medieval market town, whose main industry was textiles, but more specifically wool. It was listed in the Doomsday Book as Cepeton; Olde English for Sheep Town. Shepton Mallet is the first place in the UK with a double-barrelled name, the Mallet part being added when Henry I gave the land to the Mallet family in 1100.
The town continued to boom until the 1960s when Dr Beaching axed the vast majority of the railways in the UK. Shepton lost 2 Railway Stations and it’s main trading routes in and out of the town. It’s population and commerce has declined ever since, although it is back on the up!
The market still runs here every Friday morning and dates back to 1318. The stalls sell a wide range of fresh, local produce and crafts.
Shamble is a medieval term for "a table or stall for the sale of meat" (Oxford English Dictionary).
At the east end of the Market Place in Shepton Mallet stands a restored and re-erected bay of the town's 15th century shambles. They are made of oak and have a pantiled roof. The shambles originally stood along the north and south sides of the market place and were separated from the adjacent houses by a 10-15 feet wide gangway. The shambles on the south side were demolished in the early 19th century but those on the north side survived until 1919.
Sightseeing
Built in 1610, Shepton Mallet Prison was the oldest working jail in the UK until its closure in 2013. It housed some of the UK’s most important documentation for safe keeping during WW2, including The Doomsday Book and The Magna Carter.
Additionally during the latter part of the Second World War the prison was used as an American Military Prison and a modern extension was added. This was the execution wing and contained gallows, at which 16 soldiers were hanged. 2 soldiers were also executed by firing squad in the prison yard. These were the last executions by firing squad conducted in the UK.
The most famous prisoners to have been incarcerated Shepton Mallet were Ronnie and Reggie Kray, who were held there in the 1950s for deserting the British Army.
Please see this link to book tours/ghost hunts. https://www.sheptonmalletprison.com/
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HMP Shepton Mallet
Frithfield LaneBuilt in 1610, Shepton Mallet Prison was the oldest working jail in the UK until its closure in 2013. It housed some of the UK’s most important documentation for safe keeping during WW2, including The Doomsday Book and The Magna Carter.
Additionally during the latter part of the Second World War the prison was used as an American Military Prison and a modern extension was added. This was the execution wing and contained gallows, at which 16 soldiers were hanged. 2 soldiers were also executed by firing squad in the prison yard. These were the last executions by firing squad conducted in the UK.
The most famous prisoners to have been incarcerated Shepton Mallet were Ronnie and Reggie Kray, who were held there in the 1950s for deserting the British Army.
Please see this link to book tours/ghost hunts. https://www.sheptonmalletprison.com/
Kilver Court was a country house built circa 1650 by a wool, silk and lace merchant Richard Whiting. It was acquired in the early 20th century by The Showering family, who owned the main Brewery in Shepton Mallet where the famous Babycham sparkling perry was made. The Showerings had their head offices on this site.
Francis Showering, who was pretty forward thinking for a Victorian, wanted to treat his workers to a place of calm where they could enjoy their lunch and return to work afterwards feeling replete, replenished and productive. To that end he commissioned the winning entrant of 1901 The Royal Chelsea Flower Show to re-create their winning design in Kilver Court gardens, and these remain the same as then, today.
The gardens are absolutely stunning and have a beautiful, Grade II listed, 26 arch viaduct also running through them where you can visit or hold your event. Alex and I got married here in 2010 and were the second only couple to ever do so.
Kilver Court is now also a premium shopping destination, where historic buildings house a range of high end designer outlets from Paul Smith, to L.K. Bennett to The Mulberry factory shop. There is also a garden centre, a farm shop and a café serving the best in local produce.
Please see this link for more details https://www.kilvercourt.com/garden
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Kilver Court
Kilver StreetKilver Court was a country house built circa 1650 by a wool, silk and lace merchant Richard Whiting. It was acquired in the early 20th century by The Showering family, who owned the main Brewery in Shepton Mallet where the famous Babycham sparkling perry was made. The Showerings had their head offices on this site.
Francis Showering, who was pretty forward thinking for a Victorian, wanted to treat his workers to a place of calm where they could enjoy their lunch and return to work afterwards feeling replete, replenished and productive. To that end he commissioned the winning entrant of 1901 The Royal Chelsea Flower Show to re-create their winning design in Kilver Court gardens, and these remain the same as then, today.
The gardens are absolutely stunning and have a beautiful, Grade II listed, 26 arch viaduct also running through them where you can visit or hold your event. Alex and I got married here in 2010 and were the second only couple to ever do so.
Kilver Court is now also a premium shopping destination, where historic buildings house a range of high end designer outlets from Paul Smith, to L.K. Bennett to The Mulberry factory shop. There is also a garden centre, a farm shop and a café serving the best in local produce.
Please see this link for more details https://www.kilvercourt.com/garden
The City of Wells is a 30 minute flat walk from the cottage, a 5 minute drive or accessible by bus.
Wells is the smallest City in England and has a beautiful gothic cathedral built between 1176-1450. There are daily tours, concerts, weddings and Sunday Worships.
https://www.wellscathedral.org.uk/
The Bishop’s Palace and gardens next door has been the home of The Bishop of Bath and Wells for 800 years and is absolutely spectacular. Definitely worth a visit.
https://bishopspalace.org.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInIDImeSz6gIV1-vtCh1DrwIPEAAYASAAEgK8xPD_BwE
Wells was also the film location for Hot Fuzz, and there are tours of the scene locations available through this link http://www.wellssomerset.com/view-item.php?catid=1013&itemid=1196#:~:text=In%20the%20summer%20of%202006,story%20of%20London%20cop%20Sgt.
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Wells
The City of Wells is a 30 minute flat walk from the cottage, a 5 minute drive or accessible by bus.
Wells is the smallest City in England and has a beautiful gothic cathedral built between 1176-1450. There are daily tours, concerts, weddings and Sunday Worships.
https://www.wellscathedral.org.uk/
The Bishop’s Palace and gardens next door has been the home of The Bishop of Bath and Wells for 800 years and is absolutely spectacular. Definitely worth a visit.
https://bishopspalace.org.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInIDImeSz6gIV1-vtCh1DrwIPEAAYASAAEgK8xPD_BwE
Wells was also the film location for Hot Fuzz, and there are tours of the scene locations available through this link http://www.wellssomerset.com/view-item.php?catid=1013&itemid=1196#:~:text=In%20the%20summer%20of%202006,story%20of%20London%20cop%20Sgt.
A spectacular limestone gorge carved through The Mendip Hills over the last 1.2 million years, Cheddar Gorge’s history goes back a very long way. The oldest, complete human skeleton was discovered here in 1903 and is estimated to be 9000 years old.
Cheddar has caves to explore, rocks to climb, cycle routes to ride and many walks to tread and was named as the second greatest natural wonder in Britain.
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Cheddar Gorge
A spectacular limestone gorge carved through The Mendip Hills over the last 1.2 million years, Cheddar Gorge’s history goes back a very long way. The oldest, complete human skeleton was discovered here in 1903 and is estimated to be 9000 years old.
Cheddar has caves to explore, rocks to climb, cycle routes to ride and many walks to tread and was named as the second greatest natural wonder in Britain.
A fun day out for all the family- visit the caves, the museum, walk through the valley of the dinosaurs and so much more – look out for The Witch of Wookey Hole.
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Wookey Hole
A fun day out for all the family- visit the caves, the museum, walk through the valley of the dinosaurs and so much more – look out for The Witch of Wookey Hole.
A National Trust site steeped in mystery and legend and is the most prominent hills overlooking the Isle of Avalon, Glastonbury and Somerset.
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Glastonbury Tor
A National Trust site steeped in mystery and legend and is the most prominent hills overlooking the Isle of Avalon, Glastonbury and Somerset.
An eclectic market town full of the weird and wonderful. Glastonbury was once a port and is firmly cemented in the legends of The Holy Grail, which is believed to have been buried in Glastonbury Abbey and King Arthur.
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Glastonbury
An eclectic market town full of the weird and wonderful. Glastonbury was once a port and is firmly cemented in the legends of The Holy Grail, which is believed to have been buried in Glastonbury Abbey and King Arthur.
This magnificent and varied nature reserve covers 500 hectares in the heart of the Avalon Marshes. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting between October – March, prepare yourself for one of the most spectacular natural sights there is; over 5 million starlings performing their incredible swirling murmurations each day at dawn and dusk. All free of charge.
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Avalon Marshes-senteret
This magnificent and varied nature reserve covers 500 hectares in the heart of the Avalon Marshes. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting between October – March, prepare yourself for one of the most spectacular natural sights there is; over 5 million starlings performing their incredible swirling murmurations each day at dawn and dusk. All free of charge.
Steam Train rides through the beautiful Somerset Countryside and railway experiences.
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East Somerset Railway
Railway StationSteam Train rides through the beautiful Somerset Countryside and railway experiences.
Food scene
Kilver Court is now also a premium shopping destination, where historic buildings house a range of high end designer outlets from Paul Smith, to L.K. Bennett to The Mulberry factory shop. There is also a garden centre, a farm shop and a café serving the best in local produce.
117 lokalkjente anbefaler
Kilver Court
Kilver StreetKilver Court is now also a premium shopping destination, where historic buildings house a range of high end designer outlets from Paul Smith, to L.K. Bennett to The Mulberry factory shop. There is also a garden centre, a farm shop and a café serving the best in local produce.
Agricultural Shows and Live Music Events. A 20 minute drive from Whitstone Cottage.
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The Royal Bath & West Showground
Agricultural Shows and Live Music Events. A 20 minute drive from Whitstone Cottage.
Activities
Open Water Swimming and Scuba Diving in a beautiful setting. 20 minute drive from Whitstone Cottage.
Vobster
Open Water Swimming and Scuba Diving in a beautiful setting. 20 minute drive from Whitstone Cottage.
The Shepton Mallet lido is a 3 minute walk from Whitstone Cottage and has adult only swimming times, as well as being an absolute summer’s dream for children. It is heated by the excessive energy created by the brewery next door and has won awards across Europe for it’s ecological credentials.
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Shepton Mallet Lido
Shaftgate AvenueThe Shepton Mallet lido is a 3 minute walk from Whitstone Cottage and has adult only swimming times, as well as being an absolute summer’s dream for children. It is heated by the excessive energy created by the brewery next door and has won awards across Europe for it’s ecological credentials.
Festivals
Glastonbury Festival site
The World Famous Glastonbury Festival