Maidenbrook

Settlement in Somerset Somerset West and Taunton

England

Maidenbrook

Autumn colour reflected in Bridgwater and Taunton Canal The Bridgwater and Taunton Canal is a canal between Bridgwater and Taunton, opened in 1827 and linking the River Tone to the River Parrett.
Despite commercial traffic ceasing in 1907, the infrastructure was maintained in good order, and the canal was used for the transport of water from 1962. Somerset County Council have restored the canal as a leisure facility, this was completed in 1994, when the canal was reopened throughout. Bridgwater Docks have been restored as a marina, but there is no navigable connection to the River Parrett, as the canal still transports drinking water for the people of Bridgwater. — Autumn colour reflected in Bridgwater and Taunton Canal Credit: David Smith

Maidenbrook is a picturesque village located in the county of Somerset, England. Situated on the southern slopes of the Quantock Hills, it enjoys stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The village is nestled within a tranquil valley, surrounded by lush green fields and woodlands, adding to its idyllic charm.

With a population of around 500 residents, Maidenbrook maintains a close-knit community atmosphere. The village is known for its friendly and welcoming residents, who take pride in their local heritage. The architecture of the village is predominantly traditional, with charming thatched cottages and well-preserved historical buildings adding to its character.

Maidenbrook offers a range of amenities to its residents and visitors. The village boasts a quaint village shop, providing daily necessities and local produce. Additionally, there is a cozy pub, The Oak Tree Inn, which serves delicious traditional British food and offers a warm atmosphere for locals and tourists alike.

Nature enthusiasts will be delighted by the natural beauty and recreational opportunities in and around Maidenbrook. The Quantock Hills, designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, are perfect for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding, with numerous trails and paths winding through the rolling landscapes. The nearby Willsbrook Nature Reserve is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, making it a popular spot for birdwatching and wildlife observation.

Overall, Maidenbrook, Somerset is a charming village that effortlessly blends natural beauty, historical charm, and a tight-knit community. Its picturesque setting and abundance of recreational opportunities make it an ideal destination for those seeking a peaceful and scenic retreat.

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Maidenbrook Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.031323/-3.0756223 or Grid Reference ST2426. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Autumn colour reflected in Bridgwater and Taunton Canal

The Bridgwater and Taunton Canal is a canal between Bridgwater and Taunton, opened in 1827 and linking the River Tone to the River Parrett. Despite commercial traffic ceasing in 1907, the infrastructure was maintained in good order, and the canal was used for the transport of water from 1962. Somerset County Council have restored the canal as a leisure facility, this was completed in 1994, when the canal was reopened throughout. Bridgwater Docks have been restored as a marina, but there is no navigable connection to the River Parrett, as the canal still transports drinking water for the people of Bridgwater.

David Smith

Flats overlooking Bridgwater and Taunton Canal

The tower on the left is shown in ST2325 : Tower at Firepool before the flats were built

David Smith

Bridgwater and Taunton Canal at Firepool

The cyclist on the towpath is using NCN3

David Smith

Footbridge over the River Tone at Firepool

See also ST2325 : Cycle path next to river in Taunton, looking away from town centre. This bridge seems to replace one at the weir, just downstream, that is now closed ST2325 : Firepool Weir on the river Tone.

Stephen Craven

Firepool Weir on the river Tone

Firepool Weir feeds water into the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal. This view is of the longer of two sections of the weir. The older, shorter section is out of sight to the left; originally there was also a mill leat to the south (right) leading to mills at Obridge, but both leat and mills have been swallowed up by the Obridge roundabout on the A38, and this longer section of weir allows the majority of the flow to continue down the river.

Stephen Craven

Firepool Weir and canal lock on the river Tone

Firepool Lock (left) feeds water into the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal. To the right is a sluice on the older, shorter section of the weir; a more recent, longer section of weir allows the majority of the flow to continue down the river ST2325 : Firepool Weir on the river Tone.

Stephen Craven

Firepool Lock

Firepool Lock feeds water into the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal.

Stephen Craven

Former Firepool Pumping Station and lime kilns

This complex of industrial buildings, disused since the 1960s, is listed grade II (list entry 1372427). The listing explains that it consists of two limekilns of the early 1840s built on a canal wharf, surmounted by an engine house containing engines, pumps and a water tank; this was erected c.1866 and subsequently remodelled in 1889 as a pumping station. Another contributor explains that (at least until a few years ago) machinery remained in the building ST2325 : Firepool Lock and pumping Station. At the nearer end if the now roofless 'cartbay'. The water was pumped from a canal-fed reservoir to the east of the building (now overgrown or infilled) and served the Bristol and Exeter Railway's station and goods yard. It's easy to forget these days that steam engines were thirsty machines: Great Western Railway tenders held between 1800 and 4000 gallons (roughly 8000-18,000 litres) of water besides several tons of coal, and no doubt many had to be refilled each day at a busy station. The end and side of the building sport a 'ghost sign' which I think reads 'VAN HEUSEN', this being the name of a former clothes factory in Taunton ST2324 : Factory chimney - Princes Street. The company still sells its shirts online, though probably manufactured abroad.

Stephen Craven

Firepool View housing estate from the canal

A modern development on the site of old railway sidings.

Stephen Craven

Underneath Trenchard Way bridge

The bridge carries the A3087 Taunton inner relief road over the canal and river Tone. The road was completed in 2017 and is named after Hugh Trenchard, founder of the RAF at the end of World War I, who came from Taunton. So a good name for a 'flyover'. See ST2325 : New (in 2017) bridge over Bridgwater and Taunton Canal for a side view.

Stephen Craven

Winckworth Way bridge

The bridge carries Winckworth Way (which is pedestrianised south of this point) over the canal. There is a sewer pipe (helpfully named as such on old large-scale maps) that led to the town sewage works on the site of what is now the Priory Way industrial estate. The present sewage works is 5km further downriver at ST2824.

Stephen Craven

Railway bridges over Winckworth Way

There are two bridges here. The nearer one is disused but formerly carried tracks into the Taunton station goods yard (now a housing estate). It bears a height limit of 7'0" which surely refers to the springing of the arch rather than its highest point, but what is unusual is that the height limit is painted over a 'children playing' sign. The further bridge still carries the four tracks of the Great Western main line.

Stephen Craven

Modal filter on Winckworth Way

'Modal filter' is the fashionable technical term for a road narrowing or other means of restricting traffic to bicycles, motorbikes and anything else smaller than a 4-wheeled vehicle. The purpose of this one appears to be to stop motor traffic from the other direction getting to the narrow canal bridge at the end of the road ST2325 : Pipe and footbridge over Bridgwater and Taunton Canal.

Stephen Craven

A358 Obridge Viaduct over the river Tone

The viaduct is named after a former farm nearby. From other online sources, it was built in the 1990s, designed and constructed by Reed & Mallik Ltd and Fairfield Mabey Ltd, with eight steel spans on 900mm diameter piles and a total length of 303 metres. See also ST2325 : Obridge road bridge.

Stephen Craven

Footpath under Obridge Viaduct

Stephen Craven

Footbridge over the river Tone at Obridge

The path across this footbridge is a continuation of Winckworth Way, although the course of the river and therefore the path has been realigned in recent decades.

Stephen Craven