In my job I get to travel frequently, usually to different parts of the country, and seldom to the same place – unless I choose to return to the same client, which doesn’t often happen.
I was meant to be working with a regular client in Nether Stowey till 21st December, but as it turns out, I’m not. I am however still in Somerset, in a town called Shepton Mallet which is close to Castle Cary and the cathedral city of Wells.
When I’m given a new assignment I usually (not always) do a bit of research so I know what I’m getting into and if there’s anything of interest. As it turns out Shepton Mallet is mentioned in the Domesday Book as: Sceapton
Besides that, according to wikipedia the River Sheppey runs through the town, as does the route of the Fosse Way, the main Roman road into south-west England. There is evidence of Roman settlement. Its medieval parish church is among many listed buildings. Shepton Mallet Prison was England’s oldest until it closed in March 2013
So much to see and investigate.
After a 5.5 hour train journey I arrived quite late Saturday afternoon in Castle Cary (nearest rail station) and we soon arrived in SM. There are always surprises to be had when you arrive in a new place, and one of the first was an enormous Tesco’s store!! Really? In such a small town?
the 2nd surprise was that its a very hilly area…which considering its location in the Mendip Hills shouldn’t have been a surprise, but there you go.
The 3rd surprise was how grey it is. Just about every building is built of grey stone, and of course being winter, the weather is also grey…so my spirits were a little dampened. Although to be fair the day was quite sunny with blue skies on Sunday.
I had visions of a medieval town with old Tudor buildings and interesting architecture. 🤪🤪
But I’ve given it a good go and during my breaks over the last 2 days I’ve walked here and there and pretty much covered the whole town and then some.
So in a nutshell: Shepton Mallet
1. Domesday Book village
2. The old Roman Road known as the Fosse Way runs through the town
3. The Market Cross dates back to 1500
4. The name Shepton Mallet derives from Saxon times when it was known as Sepetone.
5. The current spelling is recorded at least as far back as 1496, in a letter from Henry VII.
6. The Romans had a trading centre here along the Fosseway
7. In Norman times William Mallet became Lord of the Manor – hence the second part of the name
8. During the Middle Ages the town grew as a wool trading centre
9. The town is home to the country’s oldest working goal (closed 2013).
10. Shepton Mallet is home to Babycham
11. The River Sheppey runs through the town
I loved these decorative window sills at the library
I’ve pretty much walked along most of the roads in the town centre, so I’m hoping to expand my horizons and set off along the East Mendip Way – depending on how muddy it is.
The bonus of course is that I can add the town to Project 101…. Domesday Book = 149 and rivers visited = 64
So a little more than a nutshell 😉
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