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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club, Sheerness

Sheerness

in the county of Kent

Pictures of Chew Magna

in the county of Somerset

About Chew Magna

The charming village of Chew Magna is set in beautiful countryside just a few short miles from Bristol and is close to the charms of Chew Valley lake and Blagdon lake, that both provide excellent fishing for local and visiting fishermen.

This is the place of which King Henry VIII's antiquary, John Leland commented in 1545, 'It is a praty clothing towne, and hath a faire chirch' and indeed this is still true of Chew Magna. It is a town that has prospered from wool money, in Medieval times the town was at the centre of the wool trade and there are many reminders of this prosperous era. Many beautiful buildings exist through the generousity of the rich wool merchants who made their homes in this enchanting little towne.

Of the noted buildings in the town, the Church Ale House dates 16th-century, and The Beeches is a Georgian House, built in 1762 by a local schoolmaster who had an earlier house on the corner of Battle Lane. This property was Potugal House which had Dutch Gables. Harford House stands in Harford Square, it was built in the 19th-century by James Harford, an ironmaster. Other noted properties are; The Pelican Inn, dated 18th-century and the Bear and Swan, dated 19th-century. Church House is a superb building of the 16th-century and is but one of many other attractive buildings dotted around the town.

The church of St.Andrew dates from medieval times, it does though, have a Norman south doorway which is covered by a 14th-century porch. The church is a glorious historical treasure chest, it has an elaborate beauty that is a constant source of fascination. The exterior is overwhelming and Gargoyles peer down from the tower that soars to 100ft high, it was added between 1440 and 1550.

As you can see there is much that is ancient about Chew Magna and fortunately it blends well with the Chew Magna of today which remains a prosperous town with many delightful new buildings and modern day facilities. It is close to the delights of the great City of Bristol, that offers visitors a wide cultural experience and it is in the heart of magnificent undulaing rolling countryside.
In Chew Magna, you have the best of both worlds, it is therefore unsurprising that in those far off day's, King Henry's noble atiquary, confirmed it to be a 'Praty Towne' for indeed it is.

Recommended towns & villages near Chew Magna

A view across Avon from Bristol Bridge, Bristol, Somerset.

Bristol (311 Pictures) a Historic City in the county of Somerset

(7.8 miles, 12.6 km, direction N of Chew Magna)

Bristol Zoo is not this great city's only claim to fame..

Goughs cave Cheddar Gorge IMG_5622

Cheddar (132 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset

(9.3 miles, 15.0 km, direction SW of Chew Magna)

Often called 'Englands Grand Canyon' Chedder Gorge was carved out by a river that now runs underground...

The weir.

Bath (835 Pictures) a Historic City in the county of Somerset

(11.0 miles, 17.6 km, direction E of Chew Magna)

Bath is an elegant city famous for its beautiful Georgian architecture and its Roman attractions from which it got it's name. The traveller James Boswell who visited the city.....

The Bishops Palace

Wells (137 Pictures) in the county of Somerset

(11.0 miles, 17.7 km, direction S of Chew Magna)

Wells, situated at the foot of the picturesque mendip hills, is most certainly one of England's most delightful cathedral cities...

Wookey, Somerset

Wookey (5 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset

(11.2 miles, 18.0 km, direction S of Chew Magna)

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Nearby attractions..

The At-Bristol planetarium. Bristol

At-Bristol (1 Pictures)

(5.8 miles, 9.4 km, direction N)

..

Bristol - Cabot Tower

Cabot Tower, Bristol (8 Pictures)

(6.0 miles, 9.6 km, direction N)

One of two towers dominating the Bristol skyline, and not far from Brunel's Suspension Bridge, Cabot tower stands 100ft high.....

View of the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Clifton, Bristol, Somerset. Summer 2004

Clifton Suspension Bridge (44 Pictures)

(6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction N)

Bristol's graceful Clifton Suspension Bridge was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It spans the Avon Gorge some 245ft above.....

Bristol Cathedral

Bristol Cathedral (11 Pictures)

(6.2 miles, 9.9 km, direction N)

The great, stirring building of Bristol Cathedral was initially given cathedral status by Henry VIII, at this time it was a.....

A picture of Cheddar Caves and Gorge

Cheddar Caves and Gorge (84 Pictures)

(8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction SW)

The mile or so of pale-grey limestone cliffs rising above the winding road through Cheddar is awesome in its untamed beauty, it.....

Wookey Hole Caves, Wookey Hole village, Somerset.

Wookey Hole Caves and Papermill (10 Pictures)

(10.0 miles, 16.1 km, direction S)

These dazzling show caves offer a glittering experience in floodlit chambers deep underground. This is the spiritual home of the.....

Beckford's Tower, Bath

Beckford's Tower & Museum (3 Pictures)

(10.5 miles, 16.9 km, direction E)

Designed by Henry Edmund Goodridge in 1825 for William Beckford, one of the nation's most accomplished and interesting characters.....


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