Axbridge
Axbridge maps (2 available)
Map of Somerset
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
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Axbridge books (15 available)
- 3 photos on Axbridge appear in 2 Frith books - View photos of Axbridge
- Read extracts and see photos from these books on Axbridge and Somerset
Axbridge memories
Read and share memories of Axbridge and Somerset inspired by Frith photos
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Somerset memories
The 1960's
I lived my early years here, until the 1970's, having been born in Wells and brought home to Cheddar as a baby. I have many family ancestral links to Cheddar via my father's parents. In the late 1800's-early 1900's my great-grandfather John Day ran the Gardener's Arms in Silver Street, with his wife Emma. My parents lived in Birch Hill (also known as Bush Hill and Burdge Hill on older maps and records) from the 1950's until their deaths in the 1980's.
I attended the junior school in The Hayes from 1960 till 1966; the headmaster at the time was Mr Birch. On leaving there, I followed in my grandma's footsteps to Sexey's Grammar School, Blackford, till 1973.
The 1960's ...read more here
A memory of Cheddar contributed by christine derrick
I have just been transported back in time by this photo
I was born in Wells .. and lived and went to school in Westbury.. my grandfather was Joseph Carver and my grandmother Elizabeth Carver (Libby) I used to walk up this hill to my grans cottage which was situated at the top of Westbury (Old Ditch) my Uncle Toms Cottage was to the right (not in picture) and I used to call in and see him on the way past .. alas all three relatives passed away several years ago .. and I now live in Weston-super-Mare .. but have fond memories of the village .. and my ancestry .. the Derricks and the Carvers have lived in the village for centuries ..
read more here
A memory of Westbury Sub Mendip contributed by First name Last name
Family tree
Since my parents died within a few weeks of each other a few years ago I have been looking into my father's family tree, and it seems all his relatives came from Mark in Somerset so I hope to visit there soon to trace my family tree further as I have hit a brick wall at the moment. I have got as far as a "Thomas Urch" who was born around 1737 and married to Sarah? If anyone could help I would be very grateful.
A memory of Mark contributed by avril urch
Childhood Holiday and later holiday in my teens
My first visit was with my parents. From memory, they had booked to stay somewhere, but for some reason we were directed to stay with a Mr & Mrs Salter who owned a farmhouse near the church. We were made very welcome.
Around 1949, I decided to cycle to Somerset from Dagenham Essex at the age of 16 against my parents wishes, I was only earning £2.10.0 (£2.50 today) each week. I had to borrow a decent cycle from a good friend, and set off on a Saturday morning not knowing where I was going to stay or even knowing if I would make it all the way.
Heavy rain made me do B&B in Marlborouigh for 10/- (50p). Sunday ...read more here
A memory of Mark contributed by David Cask
Extracts From Axbridge & Somerset books
Behind this ancient market town, the Mendips rise steeply, while the long main street of Axbridge winds to and from
the central market place. It retains its medieval plan and character remarkably with tall houses lining its narrow
street, many of them timber-framed and jettied, including King John’s Hunting Lodge on the left; it is a house of
about 1500, now a museum, with its fine timber-framing exposed and owned by the National Trust. The Old Angel
on the right is also 16th-century and jettied.
An extract from from"Somerset Photographic Memories".
The Lodge, a house dating from about 1500, belongs to the National Trust and houses Axbridge Museum. It takes its name from a carved king’s head on the corner, the sign of the King’s Head Inn. It is reputed to be a likeness of King John, who hunted in nearby Mendip forest.
An extract from from"Somerset Living Memories".
This is the oldest part of the cathedral - the stiff-leaf carvings on the capitals of the north-west side are simpler in design
than those east of this point. The bishop’s seat or ‘cathedra’ is on the left.
An extract from from"Wells Photographic Memories".
WE BEGIN the tour of the city by the Dean’s Eye
gate-house, the dropping-off point both for mod-
ern tour coaches and ancient stagecoaches. Until
about 1970, one-way traffic passed under this
gate-house into Sadler Street, the main road from
London and Bath to Exeter. The Dean’s Eye is also
known as Browne’s gate, after a cobbler who lived
alongside it in 1553.
The east side of the street was developed after
1340, but some deeds for the west side date
back as far as 1301. On the west side is the white
Georgian façade of one of the earliest coaching
inns: the Hart’s Head, known as the White Hart
from 1700. It was built on dean and chapter land,
and has been an inn since 1497. The site of the
Hart’s Head first appears in the 1343 Commoner’s
Accounts; it was bequeathed five years earlier in
return for prayers for ‘the repose of the soul of
Ralph de Lullington’.
An extract from from"Wells Photographic Memories".
The frontage of the Swan Hotel hides its 15th- and 16th-century origins. The window to the left of the swan on its plinth
was once a doorway permitting passengers to walk into the hotel from the top of a stagecoach. The little garden was created
in 1869. The Swan Hotel, first recorded in 1422 and rebuilt in the 16th century, hosted a feast in honour of Queen Anne of
Denmark in 1613. The hotel has some theatrical costumes permanently on show on the ground floor; these were worn by
the 19th-century actor Sir Henry (Brodribb) Irving. He was the first actor to receive a knighthood (1895).
An extract from from"Wells Photographic Memories".