Stratton-on-the-Fosse
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Stratton-on-the-Fosse | |
  Stratton-on-the-Fosse shown within Somerset |
|
| Population | 1200 |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| District | Mendip |
| Shire county | Somerset |
| Region | South West |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Radstock |
| Postcode district | BA3 |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Devon and Somerset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| European Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament | Somerton and Frome |
| List of places: UK • England • Somerset | |
Stratton-on-the-Fosse is a village and civil parish located on the edge of the Mendip Hills 6 miles (10 km) north east of Shepton Mallet, and 9 miles (14 km) from Frome, in Somerset, England. It has a population of about 1200 and has a rural agricultural landscape, although it was part of the once thriving Somerset coalfield. Within the boundaries of the parish are the hamlets of Benter and Nettlebridge.
There is evidence of human occupation of the area since the Bronze Age with skeletons and pottery beign found in local caves. Blacker's Hill is believed to be an Iron Age Camp occupied by the Belgae in the later Iron Age with the Romans later occuping it.[1]
Stratton-on-the-Fosse straddles the Fosse Way, an ancient Roman road which linked the cities of Lincoln and Exeter. It lies between the city of Bath and the town of Shepton Mallet.
The abbey church of St Gregory The Great which is known as Downside Abbey church, is an example of neo-gothic architecture and dominates the village with its 55 metres (180 ft) tower, and is a grade I listed building.[2] Downside School which has grown in conjunction with the abbey is a is a Roman Catholic Public School.
The Church of St. Vigor dates from the 12th century and is also grade I listed.[3]
St Vigor and St John Church of England Primary School, is situated in nearby Chilcompton.
Coal mining on the Somerset coalfield was a major industry but all mines have now closed.[4]
The village is now largely a dormitory town for larger towns and cities such as Bath and Bristol and even as far away as London.
[edit] References
- ^ Stratton History. Stratton on the Fosse. Retrieved on 2008-03-17.
- ^ Abbey Church of St Gregory The Great. Images of England. Retrieved on 2006-11-25.
- ^ Church of St. Vigor. Images of England. Retrieved on 2006-11-25.
- ^ Scott, Shane (1995). The hidden places of Somerset. Aldermaston: Travel Publishing Ltd, 61. ISBN 1902007018.
