Authoritative and detailed account of the history of important Somerset parishes, from prehistory to the present day. This volume, the twelfth in the Somerset series, describes the history of the eastern part of Carhampton Hundred. Bounded by the Bristol Channel and Exmoor with steep hills forming a backdrop to a coastal plain, the area is now dominated by the seaside town of Minehead whose port overtook its neighbour, Dunster, from the early 15th century. The picturesque village of Dunster is one of the county's most enduring tourist attractions, with its castle formerly home to the Mohuns and their successors the Luttrells, the area's dominant landowners. Earlier, the royal estate of Carhampton dominated the whole area and in the Iron Age, the uplands were controlled by a grouping of defensive enclosures. Minehead thrived on trade with Wales, Ireland, Europe and the West Indies and -from the 19th century - tourists, brought to the area first by steamer and from 1871 by the railway. In the early 21st century Minehead, the genteel seaside resort enlarged in 1962 following the construction of its holiday camp, serves as the commercial hub of the area. Carhampton includes the small resort of Blue Anchor and on the higher ground to the south, the parishes of Timberscombe, and most of Rodhuish and Withycombe lie within the boundaries of Exmoor National Park.

About the Author
Mary Siraut is the editor of the Victoria County History of Somerset based in the Somerset Heritage Centre in Taunton. She is a historian and an archivist and has worked for the Somerset Victoria County History since 1978. ADAM CHAPMAN, General Editor, Victoria County History, Institute of Historical Research, School of Advanced Study, University of London MATTHEW BRISTOW is an archaeologist and buildings historian. He was Architectural Editor of the Victoria County History and is now a Senior Investigator with Historic England.


Book Information
ISBN 9781904356486
Author M.C. Siraut
Format Hardback
Page Count 336
Imprint Victoria County History
Publisher Victoria County History
Weight(grams) 2g