Williton — Somerset, England
Williton is a town in West Somerset which lies between the Quantocks (designated as An Area of Outstanding Beauty) and the Brendon Hills which merge into Exmoor National Park.
Just to the northwest of Williton is an ancient gravesite from the late prehistoric period, known as Graburrows of Battlegore. Although this entire region is steeped in pre-history, from the Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic periods, Williton only emerges as a settlement during the Saxon period. An old Saxon Charter concerning a grant from the West Saxon King Aethelwulf in AD 854 refers to the small stream running through the town as "Swilly" (The Willite River). A request by King Edward to the monastery at Taunton refers to "Willettun" as the location of one of his royal hunting lodges, which would have given Williton some prestige. During the 12th century Williton was a busy settlement, was primarily agrarian and eventually supplemented their economy with the quarrying of alabaster, lias (marine limestone) and kelp from the nearby coast.
There appears to have been a private chapel in Williton until the 12th century murder of Arch Bishop Thomas Becket in 1170 which involved Reynold FitzUrse, lord of the manor. As penance, half of the manor went to the Knights Templar and half to his brother Robert who gave property and rights to the chapel to St. Decumans.
St. Peter's Church, which was part of the ancient Parish of Decuman, still has its medieval nave and chancel, with only the east and west walls surviving. The chapel which was dedicated to All Saints in the 14th century has gone through a series of modifications through the centuries. Elizabethan windows from the original south wall are still evident, and during the 19th century a Victorian restoration occurred with the addition of the north aisle and vestry. After a storm destroyed the small church spire, the bells were hung in a wooden bellcot which was replaced by the existing stone spire in 1896. The original font dated 1666 was damaged during the civil war, and was replaced by the present octagonal font made from alabaster quarried from the local cliffs. The cottages adjoining are the Church Cottages which originated in the 16th century for the brewing of church ales.
There are several points of interest in Williton, one of which is Orchard Wyndam, located just outside the town. Orchard Wyndam is a privately owned estate dating from medieval times; there is also evidence here of the Roman and Saxon periods. The estate is open for tours during the month of August, as it is still used as a family home. The house has been designated as a grade I listed building, as well as protective listings for the Bailiff's House, the Lodge, the remains of the walled garden and the gate. The Giant's Cave or Blue Grotto on the estate is a landscape feature. It is a ruin dating from the 18th century consisting of large red sandstone blocks placed randomly in sections of a wall in a wooded copse with ivy partially obscuring it.
The other point of interest is the Bakelite Museum, the most popular tourist attraction in Williton; housed within the historic town watermill, the Orchard Millhouse. The watermill has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II listed building; however, it is the museum that draws thousands of visitors each year to view one of the largest collections of vintage Bakelite plastics in the world. The museum occupies two floors featuring thousands of objects, many of which are extremely rare. Visitors will view many household items provoking nostalgia for those who recognize items from their past. The collection contains thousands of colorful objects, as well as the more obscure spy cameras. The objects are numerous and for those who wish to view them as a collectible curiosity, art or just for a wonderful afternoon of fun, the Bakelite Museum will accommodate you and even has a cafe on the premises where one can purchase and enjoy cream tea before or after their visit.
Where is Williton?Williton is located in Somerset where the A39 and A358 roads intersect. The nearest populated areas include Williton to the west and Watchet to the north.
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