Croscombe

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Croscombe


The course of the River Sheppey has been substantially 'managed' on its way through Croscombe, as this weir area demonstrates. The Sheppey was the main power source for many of the mills which operated in Croscombe in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Croscombe (Somerset)
Croscombe

Croscombe shown within Somerset
Population 635[1]
OS grid reference ST595445
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

Coordinates: 51°11′54″N 2°34′44″W / 51.1982, -2.5789

Village cross
Village cross

Croscombe is a village and civil parish 2 miles (3 km) west of Shepton Mallet and 4 miles (6 km) from Wells, in the Mendip district of Somerset, England. It is situated on the A371 road in the valley of the River Sheppey.

North east of the village and within the parish boundary is Maesbury Castle an Iron Age hill fort.

It was first recorded in 706 when King Ine of Wessex referred to the village[2] as Correges Cumb. Croscombe emerged in the 16th and 17th centuries with a boom in the wool trade. During this period many houses, cottages and hostelries were built and the Church was reconstructed.

The large Church of St Mary the Virgin is of particular interest, having an unusual spire for Somerset, and Jacobean interior woodwork of national renown.[3] It is primarily from the 15th and 16th centuries with 19th century restoration. It includes a peal of 6 bells, earliest is dated 1613, and an organ from 1837. It has been designated by English Heritage asa grade I listed building.[4]

During the Industrial Revolution, silk, mining, quarrying and milling replaced the wool trade. In 1848 the River Sheppey powered two mills for grinding corn, one for winding silk, and another used as a stocking manufactory.[5]

The Old Manor was built around 1460-1489 as a rectorial manor house for Hugh Sugar, the Treasurer of Wells Cathedral. It has been altered in the 16th and 18th centuries, and in the 20th century by the Landmark Trust.[3]

Croscombe now boasts a Village hall, Shop and Post Office, 2 Inns, Church, Chapel, School.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Mendip Parish Population Estimates 2002. Somerset County Council. Retrieved on 2006-11-25.
  2. ^ Croscombe. Croscombe Village. Retrieved on 2008-03-17.
  3. ^ a b Scott, Shane (1995). The hidden places of Somerset. Aldermaston: Travel Publishing Ltd, 63. ISBN 1902007018. 
  4. ^ Church of St Mary the Virgin. Images of England. Retrieved on 2008-03-17.
  5. ^ Croscombe (St. Mary). British History Online. Retrieved on 2007-09-14.