Down, Old

Settlement in Somerset Mendip

England

Down, Old

Direction Sign – Signpost on Turner's Court Lane, Emborough Located west of Turner's Court Lane and west of Portway Bridge in Emborough parish. 4 arms and pyramid finial. Google Earth shows that the Emborough / Chewton Mendip arm and the finial were missing in 2011.

Milestone Society National ID: SO_ST6250
Direction Sign – Signpost on Turner's Court Lane, Emborough Credit: R Raynsford

Down, Old, Somerset is a small village located in the county of Somerset, England. Situated approximately 15 miles south of the city of Bath, it is nestled amidst the picturesque rolling hills of the West Country. With a population of around 500 residents, the village exudes a charming and peaceful atmosphere.

The history of Down, Old, Somerset can be traced back to the medieval period, as evidenced by its quaint architecture and narrow winding streets. The village retains much of its original character, with a cluster of thatched cottages and a historic church that dates back several centuries. Surrounding the village are lush green fields and meadows, providing a stunning backdrop for leisurely walks and outdoor activities.

Despite its small size, Down, Old, Somerset offers a range of amenities to cater to the needs of its residents. The village boasts a local pub, a village hall, and a primary school, ensuring that the community has access to essential services. Additionally, the village is well-connected to nearby towns and cities, with regular bus services and a nearby railway station.

The natural beauty of the surrounding countryside makes Down, Old, Somerset an attractive destination for visitors seeking a tranquil retreat. The area offers numerous opportunities for outdoor pursuits, including hiking, cycling, and horse riding. The nearby Mendip Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, provide a stunning backdrop for exploring the region's diverse flora and fauna.

Overall, Down, Old, Somerset is a charming village that combines historical charm with natural beauty, making it an idyllic place to live or visit for those seeking a peaceful and picturesque setting.

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Down, Old Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.258953/-2.535232 or Grid Reference ST6251. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Direction Sign – Signpost on Turner's Court Lane, Emborough Located west of Turner's Court Lane and west of Portway Bridge in Emborough parish. 4 arms and pyramid finial. Google Earth shows that the Emborough / Chewton Mendip arm and the finial were missing in 2011.

Milestone Society National ID: SO_ST6250
Direction Sign – Signpost on Turner's Court Lane, Emborough
Located west of Turner's Court Lane and west of Portway Bridge in Emborough parish. 4 arms and pyramid finial. Google Earth shows that the Emborough / Chewton Mendip arm and the finial were missing in 2011. Milestone Society National ID: SO_ST6250
New Direction Sign - Signpost on the B3139 Wells Road in Chilcompton Located on the northeast side of the crossroads of the B3139 Wells Road, Bakers Lane and Stockhill Road, diagonally opposite the Co-op in Chilcompton parish. 4 arms and pyramid finial. A completely new fingerpost in 2021 to replace the one shown in <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6043795" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6043795">Link</a>.

Milestone Society National ID: SO_ST6451C
New Direction Sign - Signpost on the B3139 Wells Road in Chilcompton
Located on the northeast side of the crossroads of the B3139 Wells Road, Bakers Lane and Stockhill Road, diagonally opposite the Co-op in Chilcompton parish. 4 arms and pyramid finial. A completely new fingerpost in 2021 to replace the one shown in Link. Milestone Society National ID: SO_ST6451C
Patterns on Portway Bridge The blocks, shadows and a little graffiti on Portway Bridge.
Patterns on Portway Bridge
The blocks, shadows and a little graffiti on Portway Bridge.
Signpost on Turner's Court Lane Cast arms and embossed lettering on a traditional Somerset post.
Signpost on Turner's Court Lane
Cast arms and embossed lettering on a traditional Somerset post.
Lechmere Water A private fishing lake near Emborough, with the old boat house on the far shore. Its size has been reduced slightly from the nineteenth century.
Lechmere Water
A private fishing lake near Emborough, with the old boat house on the far shore. Its size has been reduced slightly from the nineteenth century.
Not enough hop An amphibian road kill near Lechmere Water.
Not enough hop
An amphibian road kill near Lechmere Water.
Growing by the drain It looks like the water is a continuous suppy and has allowed some brightly-coloured growth on the road surface.
Growing by the drain
It looks like the water is a continuous suppy and has allowed some brightly-coloured growth on the road surface.
Lechmere Water track Access to the lake is a muddy track.
Lechmere Water track
Access to the lake is a muddy track.
Emborough signpost At the junction of the B3139 and B3114 is a particularly rusty signpost, save the Emborough arm.
Emborough signpost
At the junction of the B3139 and B3114 is a particularly rusty signpost, save the Emborough arm.
Portway Bridge, open to the sky The old Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway used to span it, but the tracks were ripped up after the line closed in 1965. See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7146829">ST6250 : Portway Bridge benchmark</a> for a benchmark on the corner.
Portway Bridge, open to the sky
The old Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway used to span it, but the tracks were ripped up after the line closed in 1965. See ST6250 : Portway Bridge benchmark for a benchmark on the corner.
Portway Bridge benchmark A post-war cutmark, as listed in the Benchmark Database: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.bench-marks.org.uk/bm161728" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.bench-marks.org.uk/bm161728">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> . The old railway bridge is now minus the tracks - see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7146828">ST6250 : Portway Bridge, open to the sky</a>.
Portway Bridge benchmark
A post-war cutmark, as listed in the Benchmark Database: LinkExternal link . The old railway bridge is now minus the tracks - see ST6250 : Portway Bridge, open to the sky.
Lay-By at Strapestone This layby which is part of the old road got left behind when the main A37 was slightly straightened. It also accommodates the junction of the minor road running west to Clapton.
Lay-By at Strapestone
This layby which is part of the old road got left behind when the main A37 was slightly straightened. It also accommodates the junction of the minor road running west to Clapton.
A37 northbound
A37 northbound
A37 northbound
A37 northbound
A37 northbound
A37 northbound
Site of Chilcompton station, 1987 View SW, towards Evercreech Junction, Templecombe and Bournemouth: ex-Midland & LSW (Somerset & Dorset) Joint line, Bath - Bournemouth West. This was on the long climb from Radstock to Masbury Summit; ahead was Chilcompton Tunnel. The whole line was closed on 7/3/66.
Site of Chilcompton station, 1987
View SW, towards Evercreech Junction, Templecombe and Bournemouth: ex-Midland & LSW (Somerset & Dorset) Joint line, Bath - Bournemouth West. This was on the long climb from Radstock to Masbury Summit; ahead was Chilcompton Tunnel. The whole line was closed on 7/3/66.
Fields at Portway Bridge The bridge refers to an old bridge over the now dismantled railway that use to run through Binegar which was part of the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway. Portway Lane, Turners  Court Lane and Kings lane all meet at the bridge. Portway lane is just in front of the house in the middle of the image.
Fields at Portway Bridge
The bridge refers to an old bridge over the now dismantled railway that use to run through Binegar which was part of the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway. Portway Lane, Turners Court Lane and Kings lane all meet at the bridge. Portway lane is just in front of the house in the middle of the image.
Houses at Emborough Farm This row of terraced cottages is close to the crossroads near Old Down on the B3139
Houses at Emborough Farm
This row of terraced cottages is close to the crossroads near Old Down on the B3139
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Down, Old is located at Grid Ref: ST6251 (Lat: 51.258953, Lng: -2.535232)

Administrative County: Somerset

District: Mendip

Police Authority: Avon and Somerset

What 3 Words

///undertone.flopping.oppose. Near Chilcompton, Somerset

Related Wikis

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.258953,-2.535232
Pub
The Old Down Inn
Addr City: Emborough
Addr Postcode: BA3 4SA
Wikidata: Q26310866
Lat/Long: 51.2595415/-2.5391509
The Court
Tourism: hotel
Lat/Long: 51.2594858/-2.5303828
Speed Camera
Man Made: surveillance
Lat/Long: 51.2601334/-2.5408332
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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