About Somerset
Country: England
Region: South West
Established: Ancient
Area: 4,170 km2 (1,610 sq mi)
Population: 1,012,9300
Largest settlement: Bath
Somerset is a county in South West England. It is bordered by the Bristol Channel, Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west.
The name Somerset originates from the Old English word Sumorsaete, which translates to "the summer dwellers" or "the people of the summer"
History:
The name Somerset was first recorded in the late 7th century, appearing in the law code of King Ine/Ina of Wessex (reigned: 688 to 726 AD). This makes Somerset one of the oldest local governments in the world.
Prehistoric Times:
During the Ice Age Hunter gatherers settled in the Mendip Hills caves.
Britain’s oldest complete human skeleton, Cheddar Man (c. 7150 BC), was found in Gough's Cave.
At 4,000 to 2,500 BC Farming began, and ritual sites like the Stanton Drew Stone Circles were established. 2,500 BC to 43 AD saw the construction of hillforts like Ham Hill and Cadbury Castle. Glastonbury Lake Village Built in the marshy levels, was a thriving "island" settlement.
Roman Times:
The region was transformed into a hub of industry and leisure due to the silver and leads mines and the thermal springs. Significant industry began with the silver mines and lead production. Lead was used for piping and roofing, while silver was extracted to pay the Roman army. The thermal springs saw bath houses being created.
The Charterhouse settlement even boasted its own amphitheatre, the only one in Britain known to exist at a mining site.
Rare stone burials have been found reflecting Mediterranean traditions, suggesting a diverse population in the region.
The Frome Hoard was found in 2010. The largest collection of Roman coins ever found in a single container in Britain (52,503 coins).
Anglo Saxon Times:
Somerset was a pivotal frontier of the Kingdom of Wessex. In 658 AD, the region became a Saxon heartland.
Muchelney Abbey, founded in the 7th or 8th century, this became one of the most powerful Benedictine houses in the West Country.
During this period, the distinctive Sumorsǣte identity solidified. The Saxons used the summer lands of the Somerset Levels for seasonal grazing, creating a unique economic system that defined the county's name.
Norman Times:
The Domesday Book reveals that just a few Norman lords, including the Bishop of Coutances and the Count of Mortain, controlled nearly half the region Somerset
To suppress Saxon resistance, the Normans erected fortifications, such as Dunster Castle and Montacute Castle. They were obsessive builders of grand ecclesiastical architecture, including Wells Cathedral and Glastonbury Abbey.
The county was divided into hundreds of administrative districts, many retained their names for nearly 900 years.
The Norman kings designated massive areas as Royal Forests, including Exmoor, Mendip, and Selwood. These weren't just trees; they were areas of strict "Forest Law" designed to preserve deer and boar for the King's sport.
Tudor and Stuart Times:
Somerset transformed from a religious area into a landscape of grand houses and fierce political rebellion. The biggest shock to Somerset’s social fabric was the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Glastonbury Abbey, once the richest in England, was stripped and ruined. Its last abbot, Richard Whiting, was executed on Glastonbury Tor for treason. The wealth was sold to families like the Seymours and the Phelipses. Flush with new land, the Somerset elite built some of England's most stunning mansions including Montacute House, Barrington Court and Clevedon Court.
There was a growth of the wool and cloth trade, making towns some of the wealthiest in the country. The Yarn Market at Dunster was built in 1609 to shelter traders.
Industrial Revolution Times:
In the Industrial Revolution, Somerset became a landscape of two parts. The luxury of Georgian Bath flourished alongside the gritty reality of coal mines and textile mills.
Somerset was a significant coal producer. Radstock and Midsomer Norton became industrial hubs, powering the steam engines of the era. The Somerset Coal Canal was built to transport this "black gold" to the Kennet and Avon Canal, linking Somerset’s resources to London Canal & River Trust.
The wool trade created massive factory operations. In 1825 James and Cyrus Clark began making slippers from sheepskin off cuts in Street, founding the global brand Clarks Shoes.
Bridgwater became the "Brick and Tile Capital," manufacturing the distinctive Bath Bricks used worldwide for cleaning and polishing. Bath Bricks and roofing tiles were shipped as far as San Francisco and Russia.
The Grand Western Canal featured the Nynehead Boat Lift, a precursor to modern vertical lifts.
Isambard Kingdom Brunel left a massive footprint with the Great Western Railway, slicing through the county. His Clifton Suspension Bridge (completed in 1864) is technically in Bristol but spans the northern border of Somerset.
The Levels saw the large scale drainage of wetlands. Steam powered pumping stations like the one at Westonzoyland, transformed marshes into productive farmland.
While the north was mining, Bath underwent a Georgian architectural revolution, becoming the most fashionable city in England. The Royal Crescent and Pulteney Bridge were built during this time to accommodate the wealthy industrial elite.
Victorian Times:
The Victorian obsession with sea air and the expansion of the Great Western Railway transformed the Somerset coast. Weston-super-Mare expanded from a tiny hamlet into a premier holiday destination. The Birnbeck Pier (1867) and the Grand Pier (1904) were built to entertain the visitors from Bristol and the Midlands.
The town of Watchet and the Wookey Hole Mill became famous for high-quality handmade paper, a trade that thrived until the late 20th century.
While Somerset had always made cider, the Victorian era saw the commercialisation of the industry. Large scale orchards were planted, and the Sheppy’s and Thatchers families began building their cider legacies.
Despite the industrial push, Somerset remained deeply rural. The Royal Bath & West Show was a highlight of the Victorian calendar, showcasing the county's prowess in Cheddar cheese and dairy farming.