Loxton: Landscape and History

Loxton lies on the western slope of the Lox-Yeo Valley between Crook Peak and Loxton Hill. The parish landscape features narrow, winding lanes, patches of woodland, numerous stone walls, carefully trimmed hedgerows and fields where cattle and sheep graze. The buildings also reflect the local geology: older and newer buildings are mostly made of local limestone.

Landscape and Nature Around Loxton

It is helpful to look at the surroundings on two scales: the small-scale parish landscape of lanes, hedgerows, stone walls and pastures, and the designated areas of calcareous grassland. The area around Loxton is home to a wide variety of wildlife and wildflowers, with the Mendip slopes in the background. This description of the natural environment covers the surrounding area; the formal designation applies to specific named areas.

The western slopes and Una Combe of Loxton Hill are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for their unimproved calcareous grassland. If you need specific access details for a visit, confirm them in advance with the relevant authority.

Archaeological Traces and History

Shiplate Slait is home to the largest round barrow in a group of three closely spaced round barrows. It is situated on a Carboniferous limestone plateau overlooking the Somerset Levels. Limestone is therefore present on two scales: as a building material in older and newer buildings in Loxton, and as the geological bedrock of the plateau. The grouping provides archaeological context for the barrow; the plateau and the view describe its setting in the landscape.

Another form of archaeological evidence is the medieval deserted settlement of Christon and its associated field system. A deserted settlement is one that has been abandoned. The earthworks at Christon and its field system are among the best-preserved examples in the area. This is not a single barrow, but rather landforms associated with a settlement and its surrounding fields.

Old mine workings on the hills also bear witness to former mining in the area around Loxton. The minerals extracted should be identified with caution: they were probably calamine, lead and copper, followed later by yellow ochre. Together, the round barrows, earthworks and mine workings represent different forms of historical evidence—a monument within a group, structures associated with a medieval settlement, and traces of earlier mining activity.

Access to Loxton Cave

Access is an important part of planning a visit to Loxton Cave. Its entrances are gated; subject to certain conditions, access is available to member clubs of the CSCS with the appropriate key. As access arrangements may change, check the latest access and parking information before making plans. Visitors to the cave can park in the old quarry at the upper end of Hillview Road.

Discover more destinations: Winscombe, Weston-Super-Mare, Wraxall, Congresbury, Portishead, Clevedon, Dundry, Churchill

For the broader travel guide: North Somerset.