Downhead Green

Downs, Moorland in Somerset Mendip

England

Downhead Green

Car parked at the start of Fental Lane, Ukrainian flag on fence Credit: Rob Purvis

Downhead Green is a small village located in the county of Somerset, England. Situated on the Somerset Levels, it is surrounded by picturesque countryside consisting of downs and moorland. The village is part of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, renowned for its stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife.

The main feature of Downhead Green is its charming rural setting. The village is characterized by traditional stone cottages, a village green, and a small church dating back to the 13th century. The surrounding countryside offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and bird-watching.

The village is home to a tight-knit community, with a population of around 200 residents. It is known for its friendly atmosphere and strong sense of community spirit. The village has a primary school, a village hall that hosts various events and activities, and a local pub serving traditional British food.

Downhead Green is conveniently located near major transportation routes, with the A37 road passing through the village, providing easy access to nearby towns and cities. The city of Wells, famous for its medieval cathedral and historic architecture, is just a short drive away.

Overall, Downhead Green offers a peaceful and idyllic countryside lifestyle, with its stunning natural surroundings and close-knit community. It is a perfect destination for those seeking a tranquil retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

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Downhead Green Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.205342/-2.4473508 or Grid Reference ST6845. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Car parked at the start of Fental Lane, Ukrainian flag on fence

Rob Purvis

Tadhill House Farm buildings

Rob Purvis

Old Milepost by A361, village of Dean

The Milepost is located on the grass verge near houses on the South of the road. Parish of Cranmore (Mendip District). Cast iron post, plated iron casting design, erected by the Shepton Mallet turnpike trust in the 19th Century. It has been broken and welded back together (on back of top "BUCI") and repositioned. A photograph before the repainting can be found here: Link Inscription reads:- SHEPTON / MALLET / 4 : : FROME / 8 : : LONDON / 111 Milestone Society National ID: SO_SMFR04

JR Dowding

Old Milestone by Old Wells Road, near Tadhill House Farm

The Milestone is located on grass verge on the South of the road. Parish of Downhead (Mendip District). Stone post (plate lost), Frome square iron plate design, erected by the Frome turnpike trust in the 18th Century, plate repainted by MSS summer 2009. An earlier photograph can be found here: Link Inscription reads:- Frome / 6 / Wells / 9 Grade II listed. List Entry Number: 1345266 Link

Milestone Society National ID: SO_FRWL06

Janet Dowding

2011 : Track through Asham Wood

Wikipedia has this to say: "Asham Wood is the largest and most diverse of the ancient semi-natural woods in the Mendips. It has been the subject of controversy and attempts to protect the environment from increased quarrying activity in the area. The wood occupies 2 deep valleys and the intervening plateau. Most of the underlying rocks are calcareous Carboniferous Limestone and Shales, but Devonian Portishead Beds outcrop along the northern valley. There [is] a range of unusual flora and fauna. At Asham Wood near Frome coppicing and 50 dormouse boxes have been introduced in order to encourage nesting. The boxes are monitored and dormice numbers are recorded." Link

The only access to Asham Wood from the road is on the north east edge near Dead Womans Bottom, otherwise it is by footpath.

Maurice Pullin

2011 : Track through Asham Wood

The only access to Asham Wood from the road is on the north east edge near Dead Womans Bottom, otherwise it is by footpath.

Maurice Pullin

2011 : Into Asham Wood on the East Mendip Way

The East Mendip Way runs between Wells and Frome Link

Mendip Way Asham Wood is about two thirds of the way along starting from Wells.

Maurice Pullin

2011 : The former Church of St.James, East Cranmore

"The origin of the name Cranmore comes from the Old English Crane Mere meaning 'Cranes/herons' pool'." Copied from Link

a most interesting website. Seen from the other side in ST6843 : Former church at East Cranmore

Maurice Pullin

2011 : Western Farm, Cranmore

On the road between Cranmore and East Cranmore. Farm land and buildings currently for sale.

Maurice Pullin

2011 : Quarry buildings at Merehead Quarry

More accurately Torr Works Quarry. A limestone quarry run by Foster Yeoman, Merehead is the name of the railhead at the quarry. Culled from; Link

And from: Link

"The site covers an area of some 200 hectares, including 60 hectares which have been landscaped to blend with the surrounding countryside. It is operated by the Aggregate Industries Company employing over 200 people and produces 6 million tonnes of limestone annually which is carried directly from the quarry by Mendip Rail. A Geodiversity audit of the site recorded pale to dark grey well bedded Carboniferous Limestone dipping consistently southwards with a small area of overlying horizontally bedded buff-coloured Jurassic oolitic limestone forming an angular unconformity."

Maurice Pullin

2011 : Road to Wellington Farm, East Cranmore

This is within half a mile of one of the largest quarries on the Mendips yet there is no sight and very little sound of it.

Maurice Pullin

2011 : Main road through East Cranmore

The gateway on the right gives access to ST6843 : 2011 : The former Church of St.James, East Cranmore A little about East Cranmore in Link

Maurice Pullin

2011 : Fields and view from the lane east of Cranmore

Cranmore Tower [ST6745] lifts its head above surrounding trees on the horizon. A small beech wood begins showing its leaves, the foreground field looks a little sad, not sure what crop it contains.

Maurice Pullin

2011 : Fields near Western Farm, Cranmore

Looking north west from the road between Cranmore and East Cranmore.

Maurice Pullin

2011 : A gathering of toposcopes

At a viewpoint south west of Merehead Quarry. On a day not suitable for long distance viewing. Since writing the above have wondered what the collective noun for "toposcope" would be - a panorama perhaps?

Maurice Pullin