Hapsford

Settlement in Somerset Mendip

England

Hapsford

The Royal Oak Public House in Frome. — The Royal Oak Credit: Wayland Smith

Hapsford is a small village located in the county of Somerset, England. Situated approximately 10 miles northwest of the town of Taunton, Hapsford is nestled in the picturesque countryside of the region. The village is part of the district of Sedgemoor and falls within the civil parish of North Petherton.

With a population of around 500 residents, Hapsford maintains a close-knit community atmosphere. The village is characterized by its charming rural setting, surrounded by rolling hills and farmland. The landscape is dotted with traditional English cottages, many of which boast beautiful gardens and well-preserved architectural features.

Hapsford benefits from a range of amenities to cater to the needs of its residents. These include a local village hall, a primary school, a post office, and a small convenience store. Additionally, the village is served by regular bus services, connecting it to nearby towns and villages.

The surrounding area offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities and exploration. Hapsford is within close proximity to the Quantock Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where residents and visitors can enjoy scenic walks, cycling, and horse riding. Moreover, the nearby Bridgwater Bay National Nature Reserve provides a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers.

Overall, Hapsford presents an idyllic and tranquil setting for those seeking a peaceful rural lifestyle. Its natural beauty, community spirit, and convenient location make it an attractive place to live or visit in the heart of Somerset.

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Hapsford Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.244375/-2.346956 or Grid Reference ST7549. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The Royal Oak

Public House in Frome.

Wayland Smith

Egford Hill

Downhill towards Frome.

Wayland Smith

Bed of the abandoned Dorset and Somerset Canal

The Dorset and Somerset canal was intended to ascend Barrow Hill using a flight of five boat lifts. Counting from the bottom, there is no evidence that work ever commenced on the first lift. The other four were never completed, and their chambers, set into the hillside, are overgrown and in various states of dereliction. This image was taken in the short section of canal above the third lift and looks northwest towards the chamber of the fourth.

David Tyers

Dangerfield farm

Rob Purvis

Buckland Dinham garage

Rob Purvis

The Bell at Buckland Dinham

Rob Purvis

Flowers Farm Bridge

Another small pedestrian bridge over the old railway bridge. Today it's Route 24 on the National Cycle Network, but it was originally a GWR branch line from Radstock to Frome, built in 1854 to Brunel's Broad Gauge initially, and carried coal from the local mines. A year later it began carrying passengers too. But as the viability declined passengers were stopped in 1958; freight soldiered on until the line closed completely in 1988. It made a natural cyclepath which has a tarmac surface only recently completed, but the old rails remain for much of its length. An old fashioned benchmark still exists at the foot of the arch - see ST7450 : Projecting Bracket at Barrow Hill.

Neil Owen

Projecting Bracket at Barrow Hill

The old Radstock-Frome railway line was opened in the mid-1850s, but this Ordnance Survey benchmark was installed in the early part of the 1900s. It is fairly common on the railways of the area but the type itself was replaced by the Flush Bracket shortly after the start of the Second Geodetic Levelling. Indeed, it appears to be a collector's item as the Conduit Bridge item (some 1.5Km to the west) has been removed. See ST7450 : Flowers Farm Bridge a wider location view, ST7350 : Lost! for the missing mark and Link

for the entry in the Benchmark Database.

Neil Owen

Any which way

More old-time enamel pointing fingers, adorning the undersides of bridges along the Colliers' Way. This one is Flowers Farm Bridge, with more to be enjoyed at ST7151 : Is it me?.

Neil Owen

Gate to the field

A simple gate opposite Flowers Farm Bridge - see [[[3329125]] - that allows non-motorised passage to the other field on the other side of the railway. See also ST7450 : For all travellers for the cattle grid here.

Neil Owen

For all travellers

Despite a simple cyclepath running alongside the old railway line, these gates are clearly designed to control a variety of wheeled, two-legged and four-legged users through. The adjoining bridge crossing the line is not one for motorised traffic as it leads to a field. See ST7450 : Gate to the field for the gate and [[[3329125]] for the little bridge.

Neil Owen

Onwards to Bucklands Bridge

National Route 24, leading eventually to Frome. Permission is granted to travel along it!

Neil Owen

Nightingale Lodge, Murtry Hill

Private drive, with public footpath running along it.

Vieve Forward

Course of the Dorset and Somerset Canal

Looking along the bed of the abandoned canal when the wild garlic was in full bloom. This section of the Dorset and Somerset Canal was constructed in about 1798, but the canal was never completed or opened.

David Tyers

Murtry Aqueduct across the Mells River

Murtry Aqueduct was built in about 1798 to carry the Dorset and Somerset Canal across the Mells River. However, the canal was never completed or opened.

David Tyers

Murtry Aqueduct across the Mells River

North side of the three arched Murtry Aqueduct, which was built in about 1798 to carry the Dorset and Somerset Canal across the Mells River. However, the canal was never completed or opened.

David Tyers

Entrance to a small tunnel beneath the embankment of the Dorset and Somerset Canal

Immediately to the east of the Murtry Aqueduct is a small tunnel beneath the canal embankment. This is its northern entrance.

David Tyers

Bed of the abandoned Dorset and Somerset Canal crossing the Murtry Aqueduct

Looking southeast along the course of the Dorset and Somerset Canal where it crosses the Mells River on the Murtry Aqueduct. The canal was never opened, and no boats ever passed this way.

David Tyers

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Hapsford is located at Grid Ref: ST7549 (Lat: 51.244375, Lng: -2.346956)

Administrative County: Somerset

District: Mendip

Police Authority: Avon and Somerset