Mark Adler (August 2006). "It's my party". Mendip Times. 2 (3): 14–15. Archived from the origina The 30 mile Mendip Way is a long-distance hiking trail that will enable you to see the best of the region. It starts in Weston Super Mare and goes through Bleadon, Cheddar, and Wells, and ends in Frome. Perkins, J.W., Brooks, A.T. and McR. Pearce, A.E. (1979). Bath Stone: a quarry history. Cardiff: Department of Extra-mural Studies, University College Cardiff. ISBN 0-906230-26-8 After the Norman Conquest, the county was divided into 700 fiefs, and large areas were owned by the crown, [32] with fortifications such as Dunster Castle used for control and defence. Somerset came under the political influence of several different nobles during the Middle Ages. During the Wars of the Roses, an important magnate was Humphrey Stafford, earl of Devon whose wider influence stretched from Cornwall to Wiltshire. After 1485, one of the county's most influential figures was Henry VII's chamberlain Giles Daubeney. [33] The 17th–19thcenturies [ edit ]

The nature of the relations between the Britons and the Saxons in Somerset is not entirely clear. Ine's laws demonstrate that the Britons were considered to be a significant enough population in Wessex to merit provisions; however, the laws also suggest that Britons could not attain the same social standing as the Saxons, and that many were slaves. [29] In light of such policies, many Britons might have chosen to emigrate to places such as Brittany [30] while those who remained would have had incentives to adopt Anglo-Saxon culture. [31] Cliff close to Exmoor National Park". Everything Exmoor. Archived from the original on 7 April 2012 . Retrieved 10 July 2011. Somerset is a predominantly rural county, especially to the south and west, with an area of 4,171km 2 (1,610sqmi) and a population of 965,424. After Bath (101,557), the largest settlements are Weston-super-Mare (82,418), Taunton (60,479), and Yeovil (49,698). Wells (12,000) is also a city, the second-smallest by population in England. For local government purposes the county comprises unitary authority areas: Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset, and Somerset. State schools in Somerset are provided by three local education authorities: Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset, and the larger Somerset County Council. All state schools are comprehensive. In some areas primary, infant and junior schools cater for ages four to eleven, after which the pupils move on to secondary schools. There is a three-tier system of first, middle and upper schools in the Cheddar Valley, [153] and in West Somerset, while most other schools in the county use the two-tier system. [154] Somerset has 30 state and 17 independent secondary schools; [155] Bath and North East Somerset has 13 state and 5 independent secondary schools; [156] and North Somerset has 10 state and 2 independent secondary schools, excluding sixth form colleges. [157] % of pupils gaining 5 grades A-C including English and Maths in 2006 (average for England is 45.8%) If you want a view of the Clifton Suspension Bridge, go to the White Lion pub’s terrace – which is one of the best beer gardens in Bristol.Burnham on Sea - Located just south of Weston Super Mare in Somerset, Burnham on Sea is another popular seaside resort with a fine sandy beach and the shorttest pier in Britain. Burnham on Sea Map. Somerset councils merger approved by government". BBC News. 29 May 2018. Archived from the original on 2 June 2018 . Retrieved 30 May 2018. To hike here, you can either park at the car park at the base of the hill or in the nearby village of Wheddon Cross.

Visit on the first Saturday of each month for one of the biggest markets in Somerset, with lots of Frome produce and Somerset food. Babington House is near Frome – this is another National Trust property and is well worth visiting. Places to visit in West Somerset Taunton Somerset Records Office". The History of the Somerset Archives Service. Somerset Archives Service. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016 . Retrieved 24 September 2016. It’s not a huge place, but it does have a picturesque harbour and a small sandy beach, so it’s an ideal day trip from Bristol if you want to enjoy the sea! ClevedonSomerset contains HM Prison Shepton Mallet, which was England's oldest prison still in use prior to its closure in 2013, having opened in 1610. [34] During the English Civil War, Somerset was largely Parliamentarian, [35] with key engagements being the Sieges of Taunton and the Battle of Langport. [36] And, of course, don’t miss trying some authentic Cheddar cheese here – which is potentially the most famous Somerset food! a b c Rajan, Amal (24 August 2007). "Around a county in 40facts: A (very) brief history of Somerset". The Independent on Sunday. London, UK. Archived from the original on 14 February 2009 . Retrieved 21 October 2007. You can hike around Staple Plain, which climbs up Beacon Hill and has epic views over Weston Super Mare, Exmoor and into Taunton. a b Williams, Michael (1970). The Draining of the Somerset Levels. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-07486-X.