Bedlam

Settlement in Somerset Mendip

England

Bedlam

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

Bedlam is a small village located in the county of Somerset, England. Nestled in the picturesque Mendip Hills, it is known for its beautiful landscapes, rich history, and tranquil atmosphere. The village is situated approximately 5 miles east of the town of Shepton Mallet and 18 miles south of the city of Bath.

Bedlam is characterized by its charming stone cottages, traditional architecture, and narrow winding streets. The village is surrounded by lush green fields, rolling hills, and dense woodlands, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The Mendip Hills offer a range of activities, including hiking, cycling, and horse riding, allowing visitors to explore the stunning countryside.

Despite its small size, Bedlam boasts a fascinating history. The village is home to several historic landmarks, including St. Mary's Church, a Grade II listed building dating back to the 12th century. The church features beautiful stained glass windows and an impressive bell tower.

In terms of amenities, Bedlam has a small local pub, providing a cozy spot for residents and visitors to socialize and enjoy refreshments. The village also benefits from its proximity to nearby towns, offering access to a wider range of services and facilities.

Overall, Bedlam, Somerset is a peaceful and idyllic village that offers a perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. Its natural beauty, rich history, and warm community make it a truly special place to visit or call home.

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Bedlam Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.244623/-2.354264 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

Course of the Dorset and Somerset Canal

Looking west along the bed of the abandoned Dorset and Somerset Canal, constructed in about 1798, but never completed or opened. This section of the canal was intended to form part of a branch extending to Nettlebridge for the purpose of transporting coal from the Somerset coal field.

David Tyers

Remains of a balance lock on the Dorset and Somerset Canal

In 1798 the Somerset ironmaster James Fussell patented a "Balance Lock for Raising or Lowering Boats, &c.". A canal lift to his design was built and demonstrated at this site in 1800, when it successfully raised boats by about 20 feet up to the summit level of the Nettlebridge branch of the Dorset and Somerset Canal. Following the trial, construction of several more balance locks was begun at nearby Barrow Hill, but work on the canal was abandoned when funds ran out, and the locks were never completed. This balance lock was the subject of an archaeological excavation in about 2005, but nature is now taking over the site again.

David Tyers

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

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Bedlam is located at Grid Ref: ST7549 (Lat: 51.244623, Lng: -2.354264)

Administrative County: Somerset

District: Mendip

Police Authority: Avon and Somerset