Ilton
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ilford | |
  Ilford shown within Somerset |
|
| Population | 849[1] |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| District | South Somerset |
| Shire county | Somerset |
| Region | South West |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ILMINSTER |
| Postcode district | TA19 |
| Dialling code | 01460 |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Devon and Somerset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| European Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament | Yeovil |
| List of places: UK • England • Somerset | |
Ilton is a village and civil parish in Somerset, England, situated 8 miles (12.9 km) south east of Taunton, and 2 miles (3.2 km) north of Ilminster in the South Somerset district. The village has a population of 849.[1] The parish includes the hamlets of Ilford and Cad Green with its 16th century almshouses.[2]
"The settlement on the River Isle" was one of the possession of Athelney Abbey until the dissolution of the monasteries.
The current Hamstone Ilford Bridge probably dates from the early 18th century when it was on the Curry Rivel to Chard turnpike road.[3] The current A303 is just south of the village.
East of the village is a moated site which is all that remains of Merryfield (or Muryfield) which was the family seat of the Wadham family. In the 17th century it was home to Nicholas and Dorothy Wadham benefactors of Wadham College, Oxford.[4]
The church of St Peter dates from the 14th century, and includes memorials to the Wadham family.[4] It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II* listed building.[5]
In the 18th century the Chard Canal was built close to the village. This had been intended as a part of a ship canal, passable by vessels of up to 200 tons, between the Bristol Channel and the English Channel, but was never completed.
North of the village is the Merryfield aerodrome which served as a bomber base in World War II and then reopened as HMS Heron II, RNAS Merryfield and was then used for helicopter training.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Population estimates 2002. Somerset County Council, 2002. Retrieved on 2007-10-06.
- ^ Whetstone's Almshouses. Images of England. Retrieved on 2008-03-13.
- ^ Ilford Bridge (east). Images of England. Retrieved on 2007-10-06.
- ^ a b c Bush, Robin (1994). Somerset: The complete guide. Wimbourne: Dovecote press. ISBN 187433627X.
- ^ Church of St. Peter. Images of England. Retrieved on 2007-10-06.
[edit] Links
- Wilimapia - Wikimapia location.
- Ilton Talking - Online parish magazine.
