Shepton Mallet History

Shepton Mallet, history overview...

Shepton Mallet is one of the oldest market towns in Somerset rewarded with a rich tapestry of history situated in a steep sided valley of the Mendip hills. The main road on the out skirts of the town, by passes a wealth of history to be discovered.
There are curious mazes of stone walled alleyways and meandering lanes that lead you to discover charming workers cottages, almshouses and mansions. Many fine listed properties remain from Medieval to Georgian.
The woollen industry provided prosperous times in the 16-1700’s when sheep grazed on the Iron-age hill overlooking the town. Many fine woollen mill buildings remain as residential jewels.
The brewery followed in the 1800’s an industry which continues in the town today. There has always been an industrial presence which sustains the town’s stability during the changes of time.
In recent years signs of a Roman settlement were un-earthed and the Roman Fosse road passes at the East side of the town.

The Town

The high street, a hidden long row of shops punctuated in the centre by the Market Place. Buildings have been restored by grant aided schemes and many fine Georgian listed buildings remain painted in characterful pale pastel shades. The town’s high street has always played an important role in the community

The Market Cross

Built in 1500 the market cross (butter cross) by Walter Buckland was generally used by farmers from the moors who sold butter, eggs, milk and poultry under its stone gallery. It has been used as a pivotal feature in the community throughout history.

The Shambles

The Shambles once lined the north and south side of the Market Place. On market days butchers sold freshly killed meat from its wooden tresses, one remains as an example today.

The Market

The town was originally granted its Market Charter in 1219. It became a thriving location for tradesmen for the textile industry selling wool and silk which was exported around the world. The weekly market is still running today on a Friday.

The Town Clock

The clock is situated in High Street and was originally part of the original Post office. It has had a manual winding system until 2010 when the working were modernised.

St.Peter & Paul's Parish Church

Located behind the Market Place, the church has one of the finest towers in Somerset. It dates from the Norman period 1381 and contains traces of its small Saxon predecessor. The spectacular wagon-roof of the clerestory has 350 panels each carved with different tracery designs.

The Almshouses

On the south side of the church there are almshouses which vary in date from the 17th and 19th century. They provided accommodation for the parish.

The Bread Rooms

During the 1930’s depression a charity provided bread to the people of the town from the bread rooms. In recent years have been used as a parish office.

Merchant's House

Built around 1680 by Edward Strode a local wealthy landowner, wool merchant and friend of the Duke of Monmouth. Two adjoining tenements now form part of the same house after being knocked through in the Victorian era. Now restored from a derelict building it was awarded the William Stansell award for building conservation from the Somerset Building preservation trust.

The Rectory (The Old School House)

Formerly a school which served the town from 1672 until 1899 when it became a rectory. It now is a residential property.

The Old Manse (formally the Lodgings House Hotel)

A Georgian house built in 1745 on the site of the Buckland’s Mansion; Walter Buckland was responsible for the building of our Market Cross in 1500. It is evident that parts of the house that date to the 16th century. There is an unusual stone wall in the courtyard garden with a tunnel entrance that is claimed to lead to the church but has since been in filled. Recently a carving has been found on the inside of a pediment inside the tunnel.

Leg Square

A picturesque court of Georgian properties including three fine examples of manors originally owned by textile mill owners, The Hollies, Edengrove and The Old Manor House.

Spite Wall & Mill Chimney

An example of a rare ‘spite wall’ can be found at the western end of The Old Manor House in Leg Square. There is also a former Town Mill, now converted into flats but retains the large chimney.

H.M. Prison

The oldest working prison in the country, built in 1627. The main entrance to the prison, was once used for hanging and capitol punishment in the darker days. During World War 2 it was utilised as a Military Detention barracks by the American & British army. A section of the prison became a repository for the Doomsday book, the log book of the HMS Victory and the Nation's archives.

Longbridge House

A seventeenth century house where the Duke of Monmouth, a Protestant rebel spent the night of June 23rd 1685, when he unveiled his master plan - to take Bristol in his claim to challenge James II to the throne. A wealth of history lies beneath the walls and a Roman well lined with shells was discovered in the garden.

Convent, Sales House

Convent, Sales House One of the most beautiful buildings that remains derelict today. It was used originally a Covent. There is also a tunnel in the grounds where crosses are formed in its stone walls.

The Anglo Bavarian Brewery

The Anglo Bavarian Brewery was built in 1869 as an export brewery. Today it houses several businesses in parts of the building.

Babycham

An advertising icon of the Babycham deer is located outside the factory on Kilver Street. The 1950’s were the golden days of Babycham owned by the Showering family who had been involved in brewing in the town for almost two hundred years.