Athelney

Settlement in Somerset Somerset West and Taunton

England

Athelney

West-bound railway line at Bullplace bridge Credit: Rob Purvis

Athelney is a small village located in the county of Somerset, England. Situated on a small island in the Somerset Levels, it is surrounded by the River Tone and River Parrett, creating a picturesque and tranquil setting. The village is approximately 10 miles east of the town of Taunton and is easily accessible via the A361 road.

The history of Athelney is deeply rooted in its significance as the site of King Alfred the Great's refuge during the late 9th century. It was on this island that Alfred sought shelter and regrouped his forces to ultimately defeat the invading Danes. To commemorate this historical event, a monument known as the Alfred Jewel was discovered in a nearby field and is now displayed in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.

Despite its small size, Athelney boasts a strong sense of community and offers a range of amenities for residents and visitors alike. The village is home to a parish church, a primary school, a village hall, and a pub, providing essential services and opportunities for social interactions.

Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Somerset Levels, Athelney is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The area offers scenic walks along the riverbanks, birdwatching opportunities, and fishing spots. In addition, the nearby Somerset Levels and Moors are a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, providing a haven for wildlife and nature lovers.

In conclusion, Athelney is a charming village with a rich historical past and a strong sense of community. Its idyllic location and natural beauty make it an attractive destination for those seeking a peaceful and rural retreat.

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Athelney Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.058696/-2.935315 or Grid Reference ST3429. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

West-bound railway line at Bullplace bridge

Rob Purvis

Buildings at Parsonage Farm

Rob Purvis

Woodhill Terrace, looking north

Rob Purvis

Ordnance Survey Cut Mark

This OS cut mark can be found on the west angle of St Bartholomew's Church. It marks a point 13.119m above mean sea level.

Adrian Dust

Lyng church

A brief glimpse of Lyng and its church as we speed past on the train. This photo was taken from the 1158 Penzance to London Paddington train, having left Taunton at 1529.

Graham Horn

River Tone towpath

I was a split second too early on this shot, so instead of the channelled River Tone all you see is the adjacent towpath, more like a vehicle track, and the arable fields to the west. We were doing over 100mph at this point. This photo was taken from the 1158 Penzance to London Paddington train, having left Taunton at 1529.

Graham Horn

Stan Moor

The view from the train of some of the flat land at Stan Moor, part of the Somerset Levels. All those lines are drainage ditches. On the left horizon is Burrow Mount in ST3530 This photo was taken from the 1158 Penzance to London Paddington train, having left Taunton at 1529.

Graham Horn

Athelney Farm and King Alfred's Monument

Cuts Road, Athelney

Slough Court

Griggs Hill

High Water on the Tone at Curload

View from the bridge at Athelney.

Nick Chipchase

Curload from Windmill Hill

Lyng church in the distance.

Nick Chipchase

Lyng from Windmill Hill

Floods on the moor.

Nick Chipchase

Site of Athelney station, 1991

View eastward, towards Castle Cary, Westbury, Reading and London: ex-GWR Paddington - Westbury - Taunton - Exeter etc. main line. Nothing seems to have remained of the station, which was closed 15/6/64 when the Taunton - Langport - Yeovil service ceased; until 10/9/62 it had also served the Taunton - Castle Cary local trains. (Cf. The more recent view by Ken Grainger ST3428 : Curload level crossing).

Ben Brooksbank