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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Mistley Church, Essex

Mistley

in the county of Essex

Pictures of Wellington

a Historic Market Town in the county of Somerset

About Wellington

This is the small town from which Arthur Wellesley, later to become Duke of Wellington, took his name. He had an estate in the area, but is thought to have been an infrequent visitor. Wellington celebrates its connection with the famous "Iron" Duke, with an obelisk on the hill above the town. From this high vantage point there are stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Historically, the town appears to have been mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086, but there is an earlier mention pre this date, possibly around 899 to 909 when the town was referred to as Weolingtun.

An important personage in Wellington was Sir John Popham (1533-1607) he was a Lord Chief Justice of England. He built a grand mansion in Wellington which was destroyed during the Civil War, playing fields now occupy the site where the house once stood. During his illustrious career, Sir John tried Mary, Queen of Scots, Guy Fawkes and Raleigh. A monument to Sir John can be found in Wellington Parish Church.

The town is situated in the shelter of the Blackdown Hills, close to the River Tone in what is a delightful rural area. It has several shops, some specialising in arts, crafts and antiques. An added bonus in the town is the regular monthly farmers market, this draws visitors from many of the smaller out-lying villages and hamlets.

Wellington has several cafe's, restaurants and pubs, some historic, certainly at least one dates back to the 17th century when it was horses not cars that clattered through this pleasant, friendly town which amongst its attractions boasts a park given to Wellington by the Fox family in 1903. With the assistance of the Heritage Lottery Fund, a grant has enabled this fine example of a Victorian landscape to be restored for the pleasure of the towns people and visitors.

Wellington lies close to the borders of Devon a short distance from Taunton, it can be reached via an exit of the M5 motorway and seems to be much used as a stopping place for tourists en-route for the coast. This is a pity for this charming little town is worth more than a second glance, it would make a pleasant place in which to spend a romantic weekend, or to use as a base for exploring the Somerset coast and the Exmoor National Park.

Recommended towns & villages near Wellington

Broadhembury Village, Devon

Broadhembury (7 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon

(10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction S of Wellington)

Broadhembury is an idyllic village which is an oasis of calm and beauty lying at the edge of the Blackdown Hills...

A sign post in the village of Holford on the edge of the Quantock hills in somerset

Holford (4 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset

(13.0 miles, 20.9 km, direction N of Wellington)

Holford lies in a peaceful wooded valley at the foot of the lovely Quantock Hills crowning the landscape where the county of Somerset sweeps towards the coast...

Church at Axminster, Devon

Axminster (43 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of Devon

(16.9 miles, 27.1 km, direction SE of Wellington)

Famous for its carpets often likened to Turkish, Axminster was one of the first West Saxon settlements formed along the River Axe in Devon...

A packhorse bridge in the village of Winsford on Exmoor National Park, Somerset.

Winsford (3 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset

(17.0 miles, 27.4 km, direction NW of Wellington)

One of the prettiest and most unspoilt of villages, steeped in history and mentioned in the Domesday book..

Minehead quayside cottages.

Minehead (148 Pictures) a Seaside Town in the county of Somerset

(19.2 miles, 30.9 km, direction NW of Wellington)

Minehead is a quintessential English seaside resort on the beautiful Somerset coast whose mild climate has been a magnet for visitors since Victorian times. At the end of Quay.....

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Nearby attractions..

Snowdrops at Otterhead. The Blackdown hills in the county of Somerset, England

The Blackdown Hills (21 Pictures)

(3.6 miles, 5.7 km, direction SE)

Fascinating scenic area where you can enjoy an extraordinary variety of scenery ranging from tiny coppices to vast woodlands, all.....

Taunton Castle, Taunton, Somerset

Taunton Castle (1 Pictures)

(5.5 miles, 8.8 km, direction NE)

The turbulent past of historic Taunton Castle, is masked by its transformation into a luxurious comfortable hotel with an award.....

Halsway Manor Children's Festival

Halsway Manor (4 Pictures)

(11.2 miles, 18.0 km, direction N)

Halsway Manor is unique residential Folk Centre set on the southern slopes of the Quantock Hills in West Somerset. Set in.....

Quantock Hills

Quantock Hills (216 Pictures)

(13.5 miles, 21.8 km, direction N)

This beautiful range of hills is a part of England where stags and deer can still be seen roaming freely. In many ways the.....

Loughwood Meeting House, Dalwood, Near Axminster, Devon. Owned by the National Trust

Loughwood Meeting House (13 Pictures)

(15.1 miles, 24.3 km, direction SE)

17th-century thatched Baptist meeting house, constructed approx 1653...

Barrington Court, Somerset

Barrington Court (49 Pictures)

(15.9 miles, 25.6 km, direction E)

Barrington Court is an attractive 16th-century house built in the engaging "E" shaped style of the period in mellow Ham Hill.....

Where are the birds?

Killerton (50 Pictures)

(16.4 miles, 26.4 km, direction SW)

Walking towards the handsome Georgian property known as Killerton House, you get only a hint of the surprises awaiting you.....


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