Park Pale

Heritage Site in Somerset Somerset West and Taunton

England

Park Pale

Pitminster: The Queenâs Arms This is one of the earliest recorded mill sites in Somerset. A mill was extant here in 1036 when owned by St Swithun’s Priory, Winchester. A flour mill in 1804, the premises were later converted to a public house. The section nearest the camera looks more like a mill than a pub. — Pitminster: The Queenâs Arms Credit: Martin Bodman

Park Pale is a historic site located in Somerset, England. It is a designated heritage site that holds significant historical and cultural importance. The site consists of an earthwork enclosure, known as a pale, which was constructed during the medieval period. It is believed to have been built in the 12th century and served as a defensive boundary for a deer park.

The pale measures approximately 4.5 kilometers in length and encloses an area of about 800 hectares. It consists of a bank and ditch structure, with a raised earth bank on the inner side and a deep ditch on the outer side. The pale would have acted as a physical barrier, preventing the deer from escaping and protecting them from poaching.

The site is surrounded by beautiful countryside, with rolling hills and scenic views. It is known for its diverse wildlife and rich biodiversity, making it an important area for nature conservation. Visitors to Park Pale can enjoy walking trails that meander through the site, offering a chance to explore the historical earthwork and experience the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Park Pale is also of archaeological interest, with several excavations having taken place over the years. These excavations have revealed evidence of human activity from various periods, including prehistoric and Roman settlements.

Overall, Park Pale in Somerset is a fascinating heritage site that offers a glimpse into the medieval past of the region. Its historical significance, combined with its natural beauty, makes it a popular destination for history enthusiasts, nature lovers, and those seeking a tranquil escape in the countryside.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Park Pale Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.987/-3.118 or Grid Reference ST2121. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Pitminster: The Queenâs Arms

This is one of the earliest recorded mill sites in Somerset. A mill was extant here in 1036 when owned by St Swithun’s Priory, Winchester. A flour mill in 1804, the premises were later converted to a public house. The section nearest the camera looks more like a mill than a pub.

Martin Bodman

View East from the Angersleigh road

Nick Chipchase

Channel to Channel (293)

The route goes along this footpath going north. To proceed to the next section of Channel to Channel go to Link.

Shazz

Channel to Channel (294)

This is looking ahead through the middle section of a long straight footpath to Poundisford Park.

Shazz

Channel to Channel (295)

This is more of the same.

Shazz

Chilliswood Farm

View from Lipe Hill Lane.

Nick Chipchase

Barton Grange near Corfe

Only about one third of the original grange now remains.

Nick Chipchase

Trull: All Saints Church

A 13th century west tower with the body of the church dating from the 15th century. It is noted for its wooden pulpit with carvings depicting five saints

Martin Bodman

Staplehay

Looking south along the Honiton road towards the centre of Staplehay.

Lis Burke

The old Independent Chapel, Fullwood

Now a private house

Martin Southwood

Kibbear

Massive tractor activity in this view looking east by north from a footpath. The M5, which cuts diagonally right across this square, can be seen on the right about 700m from the camera. in the distance, Stoke Wood.

Derek Harper

Queen's College, Taunton

The impressive main building is on Trull Road. The wicker man is probably closely related to the one which stands beside the M5 just north of Taunton. The locally grown withies make Somerset a centre for wicker crafts of all kinds.

Barbara Cook

Cider orchard at Haygrass

There are several large orchards in this area, reflecting a history of cider-making. This apple orchard is alongside Killams Avenue near Haygrass House.

Derek Harper

Fosgrove

A hamlet in Taunton Deane centred around a farm and small country house, and on a particularly circuitous lane. The view here is from the same lane after it has performed two right-angled bends. In the background is Orchard Wood, an outlier of the Blackdown Hills.

Derek Harper

Path to Cotlake Hill

The footpath from Kibbear follows the hedge around this ploughed field on its way to the modest eminence of Cotlake Hill.

Derek Harper

Cottages at Dipford

Dipford consists of a number of farms and houses scattered for a kilometre along Dipford Road, a lane from Trull to Angersleigh. This row of cottages is at the northeast end, opposite Dipford House and beside Gatchell Farm.

Derek Harper

Wrexon Farmhouse

Link

. A C16 farmhouse, now the home of Orchards Restaurant. The building is little more than 100 metres from the M5, but situated on a country lane between Angersleigh and Trull.