Cranmore, Somerset
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Cranmore | |
  Cranmore shown within Somerset |
|
| Population | 591[1] |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| District | Mendip |
| Shire county | Somerset |
| Region | South West |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Shepton Mallet |
| Postcode district | BA |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Devon and Somerset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| European Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament | Wells |
| List of places: UK • England • Somerset | |
Cranmore is a village and civil parish east of Shepton Mallet, in the Mendip district of Somerset, England. The parish includes the hamlets of Dean, Waterlip and East Cranmore.
The name comes from Crane Mere, the Lake of the Cranes.[2]
It is the base of the East Somerset Railway which plays host to a variety of preserved diesel and steam locomotives. It operates the line between Cranmore railway station, Cranmore West, Merryfield Lane Halt and Mendip Vale. The section between Cranmore and the mainline is used for heavy quarry traffic to the nearby Merehead Quarry. The quarry, which is also known as Torr Works, covers an area of some 200 hectares, including 60 hectares which have been landscaped to blend with the surrounding countryside. It is operated by the Foster Yeoman Company employing over 200 people and produces 6 million tonnes of limestone annually which is carried directly from the quarry by Mendip Rail.
The Church of St Bartholomew dates from the 15th century and has been designated by English Heritage asa grade I listed building.[3] The former church of St James in East Cranmore has been deconsecrated and is now used as a private dwelling.[4]
Granmore Hall is a large 17th century country house with landscaped gardens which now forms the main portion of All Hallows Preparatory School.[5] Southill House is a smaller country house dating from the early 18th century which was refacaded by John Wood, the Younger.[6]
On a hill north of the village is the 45 metres (148 ft) tall Victorian Folly Cranmore Tower. The tower was built in 1862-1864, by Thomas Henry Wyatt for John Moore Paget. The site is 280 metres (919 ft) above sea level, and is the highest point on the Mendip Way.
[edit] References
- ^ Mendip Parish Population Estimates 2002. Somerset County Council. Retrieved on 2006-11-25.
- ^ Cranmore History. Cranmore village web site. Retrieved on 2008-03-25.
- ^ Church of St Bartholomew. Images of England. Retrieved on 2008-03-25.
- ^ Church of St James. Images of England. Retrieved on 2008-03-25.
- ^ Granmore Hall, walling and gazebo, now part of All Hallows School. Images of England. Retrieved on 2008-03-25.
- ^ Southill House and outbuildings. Images of England. Retrieved on 2008-03-25.
