South Cadbury
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
South Cadbury is a village and civil parish in the South Somerset council area of the English county of Somerset. It is famous as the location of the hill fort of Cadbury Castle, thought by some to be King Arthur's Camelot.
Contents |
[edit] Geography
South Cadbury is located at grid reference ST632256, 7.5 miles (12km) north-east of Yeovil. The village lies just south of the main A303 road from London to the south-west of England, which runs through the north of the civil parish. As well as South Cadbury itself, the parish includes the village of Sutton Montis to the south of Cadbury Hill. This is one of three large hills in the centre and south-eastern portion of the parish, the others being Littleton Hill and the Beacon. There is a hill fort on Cadbury Hill and a disused quarry on Littleton Hill. South Cadbury is part of the Castle Cary ward which elects one councillor to Somerset County Council.
[edit] Church of England parish church
South Cadbury parish church is dedicated to St Thomas A'Becket. It largely dates from the 13th and 15th centuries, but was widely restored in 1874. Many of the fittings date from this time. However, it does boast a 15th century roof, with angel brackets and carved bosses, and an early wall painting of St Thomas.[2] The church is a Grade II* listed building.[3] The 18th century poet and satirist, Charles Churchill was at one time curate at South Cadbury. There is also a parish church at Sutton Montis.
[edit] Cadbury Castle
- Main article: Cadbury Castle, Somerset.
Immediately to the south-west of the village is Cadbury Castle, a vast Iron Age hill fort covering an area of around 20 acres (8ha). The site has seen human occupation from Neolithic times until the late Saxon period. It was famously partially excavated by Leslie Alcock in the 1960s, when, amongst other things, an Arthurian period feasting hall was discovered. Since John Leland made reference to local traditions of a connection with King Arthur in the 16th century, there has been widespread speculation that this was the location of Camelot. King Arthur's Well sits at the foot of the hill and the local public house is even called 'The Camelot'.
[edit] References
- ^ South Somerset Population Statistics Census 2001. Somerset County Council. Retrieved on November 27, 2006.
- ^ Camelot Parochial Church Council. South Cadbury: The Church of St Thomas A'Becket. The Camelot Parishes. Retrieved on November 27, 2006.
- ^ English Heritage. South Cadbury CP: Sherborne Road (West side): Church of St Thomas a Becket. Images of England. Retrieved on November 27, 2006.
