Somerton: Church, Market History and Short Walks

Explore Somerton through several distinct themes: the parish church of St Michael and All Angels, the protected Somerton Market Cross, short walks, and a location between the Rivers Yeo and Cary. When planning your stay, you can give culture, local history and outdoor activity different levels of focus.

A location between the Yeo and Cary

Somerton lies on a low ridge between the Rivers Yeo and Cary, overlooking a crossing of the Cary. The landscape combines the ridge, the rivers and the crossing of the Cary, adding a distinct geographical perspective on the town to its historic buildings.

Short walks around Somerton

The “Short Walks around Somerton” series comprises ten short walks, each intended to take about an hour. They start at the free Half Moon Car Park (TA11 6QQ) at the western end of West Street in Somerton. The approximate duration helps you fit a walk into your day; it is a guide, not a minute-by-minute schedule. If you would like to set aside around an hour for some outdoor activity, you can take this timeframe into account when planning.

A church with a long building history

The Church of St Michael and All Angels is a parish church built in the early 13th century. It was extensively altered in the mid-15th century and restored in 1889. The octagonal tower is unusual in Somerset and adds an architectural feature to the building’s history. If you are interested in church architecture, you can consider the construction date, later alterations and tower shape as distinct aspects of the building.

The Market Cross and town history

The Somerton Market Cross is protected as a Scheduled Monument and is exceptionally well preserved. Somerton was granted the right to hold a market in 1255; in the late 13th century, the town was selected as the county town. The market charter and the later selection as county town are two distinct historical milestones. Together with the protected Cross, they broaden the picture of Somerton beyond a single building. By comparison, the market charter and selection as county town belong to the 13th century, while the church’s building history includes a later stage, with its restoration in 1889.

Events and festival history

The parish church is used for concerts and other community events, particularly during the annual Somerton Arts Festival and the Music @ St Michaels series. The original Somerton Music and Arts Festival began in 1986. If you would like to plan your stay around a festival or concert, check the dates of the relevant events in advance.

Viaduct Fishery

Viaduct Fishery has six well-stocked lakes. For travellers interested in this leisure activity as well as local history and short walks, the fishery offers another distinct Somerton attraction.

Discover more destinations: Baltonsborough, Lovington, Williton, Kingsbury Episcopi, Hatch Beauchamp, Othery, Mells, Redlynch.

For the broader travel overview: Somerset.