Somerset is a county located in Southwest England. The northern border is the River Avon, while the southern border has slowly moved south a bit thanks to the expansion of Bristol. The county town is Taunton. Somerset is mostly rural country, featuring many hills and flat areas. These flat areas lend themselves very well to agriculture, which is the main industry of Somerset. Many also raise cattle and sheep, make cheese, and grow apples. In the political arena, Somerset elects nine members to the House of Commons.
A Brief History of Somerset
The earliest settlement in Somerset appears to have been in the Mendip Hills area, and records date the fossils and other items found there back to the Palaeolithic period. One set of bones can be dated to 12,000 BC. Later on, many different forts sprang up, such as Cadbury Castle, and several henge monuments, somewhat similar to Stone Henge, were built.
Somerset was invaded by the Roman Empire during AD 47, and the entire area was under Roman rule until 409 AD. The Romans built a number of structures in Somerset that are still standing today, including the famous Roman Baths located in the city of Bath. After the Romans left the area, the Anglo-Saxons invaded. Once the English regained control of the area, it was split into fiefs, with most of the biggest areas being owned by the crown.
The Industrial Revolution saw an end to Somerset’s cottage industries, though the farming and animal husbandry industries grew. In the north, many took up mining coal and iron, although the mines were slowly shut down in the mid-1900s. During World War II, Somerset served as a preparation base for soldiers before the D-Day landings. Several hospitals were built in the area during this time to house wounded soldiers.
Important Cities, Towns and Other Locations in Somerset
· Taunton, the county town.
· Bath, site of the Roman Baths and an important tourist destination.
· The University of Bath
· Cheddar
· Bristol
· Bridgwater, an important port city.
· Axbridge, another river city.
· Glastonbury
Getting Around Somerset
Although Somerset does have a number of large motorways connecting major towns, many other areas can only be reached by travelling down very narrow lanes. Railways operated by the West of England Main Line connect Bristol to Taunton and other larger areas. Travellers can also fly directly into Somerset via the Bristol International Airport.
During the early 19th century, a number of canals were used for the transportation of heavy produce and coal. However, these canals eventually fell into disuse, although a number of them have been restored and are in use today for tourism and recreation.
The Economy of Somerset
As mentioned earlier, Somerset has generally relied on farming and raising sheep and cattle. However, there are several other important industries that have impacted the area. The transportation industry often uses the River Parrett and its port of Bridgwater for transporting cargo. Many companies like Toolstation and Gerber Juice have established distribution hubs in the town.
Somerset also has several factories that produce defence equipment. Many of these businesses were established during World War II and include factories managed by the Royal Ordnance Factory. In Taunton, Thales Optics continues to operate, although it has been listed as closing several times. However, that decision has been reserved each time. Other important military and defence offices include the Ministry of Defence offices in Bath, the base of the 40 Commando Royal Marines in Norton Fitzwarren, and the Royal Naval Air Station, which is located in Yeovilton.
Somerset is known for producing a number of unique and famous local products. These include cider, especially the famous Blackthorn Cider. The many orchards in Somerset also produce a number of fruit juices. Several large companies, including Sunny Delight, operate in Somerset. Cheddar cheese, named after the town of Cheddar, is another major export, as is yoghurts and other desserts. Many quarries are also located in Somerset, especially in towns like Doulting. These quarries provide building stone and freestone to many nearby areas.
Finally, tourism has recently become a very important industry. Many people visit the county’s coastal towns and historical sites. In addition to the Roman Baths located in the city of Bath, there are a few other popular sites. Many visit Glastonbury, a city that is connected with Jesus, Joseph of Arimathea, and the legends of King Arthur. Some believe that Cadbury Castle is the basis of the castle of Camelot, in fact.
Like many of the older locations in England, Somerset has its share of haunted locations. For visitors who enjoy hearing about these ghostly tales (and perhaps even hoping to see a ghost or two), Taunton Castle is a popular location, as is Crowcombe and Norton Manor.
Events in Somerset
If you’ll be travelling to Somerset, you may be interested in some of the many festivals and other events held in the area. Here are some of the major events:
· The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, held in Pilton, has been named the largest music and performing arts festival in the world, attracting over 170,000 attendees. The festival takes up over 900 acres and features almost 400 live performers.
· The Big Green Gathering, which grew out of the Glastonbury Festival, is a huge gathering of people interested in the environment, health, and preserving the planet for future generations.
· The Bath Literature Festival brings authors and readers to the city once a year to celebrate the written word.
In addition to these events, there are many other sites for visitors to see. They include the Building of Bath Museum, the American Museum in Britain, the Jane Austen Centre, and the Helicopter Museum.
Sport In Somerset
Somerset county cricket can be found in Taunton and famous FA Cup giant killers Yeovil, who are now members of the football league are in South Somerset. In Bath you will find Premiership Rugby and Frome is FI driver Jenson Button home town. The Horse racing yards of Paul Nicholl's and Martin / David Pipe are also in the county.
