Stoke Sub Hamdon

Settlement in Somerset South Somerset

England

Stoke Sub Hamdon

Stoke Sub Hamdon is a picturesque village located in the county of Somerset, England. Situated on the southern slope of Ham Hill, it is nestled amidst rolling hills and stunning countryside, offering residents and visitors alike a tranquil and scenic environment.

The village has a rich history dating back to the Iron Age, with evidence of settlements found on Ham Hill. It is home to the famous Ham Hill Country Park, a vast open space with walking trails, picnic areas, and breathtaking views over the surrounding landscapes. The park also boasts an ancient hillfort, providing a glimpse into the area's past.

Stoke Sub Hamdon is known for its quaint charm and well-preserved architecture. The village center features a range of traditional stone-built cottages and historic buildings, including the 13th-century St. Michael's Church. The church is an architectural gem, showcasing its medieval origins with its beautiful stained glass windows and intricate stonework.

The community in Stoke Sub Hamdon is close-knit and welcoming, with a range of amenities catering to residents' needs. There are several local shops, a post office, a primary school, and a village hall that hosts various events and gatherings throughout the year.

For those seeking recreational activities, the village offers a cricket club and a football club, providing opportunities for sports enthusiasts to engage in friendly local matches. The surrounding countryside also offers ample opportunities for outdoor pursuits such as hiking, cycling, and horse riding.

With its idyllic setting, rich history, and strong sense of community, Stoke Sub Hamdon is a charming village that continues to enchant both residents and visitors with its timeless beauty.

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Stoke Sub Hamdon Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.953259/-2.75072 or Grid Reference ST4717. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Cartgate Picnic Area, Near Stoke sub Hamdon, Somerset

A large picnic area just off the junction of the A303 (London-Exeter Trunk road) and A3088 (Yeovil spur). Toilets, tourist information office, snack bar and picnic tables.

Pete Chapman

Stoke-sub-Hamdon

An evening view of Ham Hill from North St in Stoke sub Hamdon - note the old sign with alternative name for the village

Jon Wornham

Martock

Brooks Garage, on the outskirts of Martock.

Jon Wornham

The Prince of Wales public house, Ham Hill, Somerset

The appropriately-named Prince of Wales pub lies within Duchy of Cornwall land on top of Ham Hill, near Yeovil.

Jim Champion

NORTON-SUB-HAMDON, Somerset

The stunningly beautiful church of St Mary

ChurchCrawler

Stoke Sub Hamdon, Somerset

Also known as Stoke under Ham, the parish church of St Mary is well away from its main centre on the road to Montacute.

ChurchCrawler

Old quarry spoil heaps at Ham Hill Country Park

Centuries of quarrying the golden "Ham" stone from Ham Hill has left behind this landscape of lumps and bumps, now part of the Ham Hill Country Park. Signs request that visitors on bikes should keep to the waymarked paths, but the erosion on these grassed-over spoil heaps shows that not everyone can resist the temptation.

Jim Champion

Quarrying at the northern end of Hamdon Hill

This shows the quarry workings at the northern end of Hamdon Hill, within the Hamdon Hill Country Park. The interior of this part of the hill has been scooped out by many centuries of quarrying (some dating back to the Iron Age) and although this part of the hill is dedicated to conservation and recreation, limited permission has been given to allow some quarrying; this is supposed to meet demand for the characteristic stone, as well as improve the safety and appearance of this part of the hill.

Jim Champion

Stoke-sub-Hamdon war memorial, Hamdon Hill

Looking east from the highest point of Hamdon Hill (on top of the inner rampart of the hillfort) towards the Norton-sub-Hamdon war memorial. This is a very blustery spot in an exposed location, with very wide views over the south Somerset countryside. The war memorial is a prominent landmark.

Jim Champion

Gate into a field on Butcher's Hill

The southeastern part of the massive Hamdon hillfort is known as Butcher's Hill, this view is of a field to the south of the road that runs through the interior of the hillfort. The area is popular with dog-walkers, and the various signs on this gate warn about sheep worrying and the possible consequences of not cleaning up after your dog.

Jim Champion

View west from the tower on St Michael's Hill, Montacute

This view is looking WNW from the top of the tower on St Michael's Hill. The wood on the slopes of Hedgecock Hill are deep in shadow on this autumn afternoon. Beyond this is the northern spur of Hamdon Hill, with its Iron Age ramparts and the prominent Stoke-sub-Hamdon war memorial. Nestling in "The Coombe" between Hamdon Hill and Hedgecock Hill is the parish church of St Mary, Stoke-sub-Hamdon.

Jim Champion

The tower on St Michael's Hill, Montacute

This 18th century lookout tower tops the conical hill that gives the village of Montacute its name (from the Latin "mons acutus", literally meaning "steep hill"). The tower was constructed as a folly by the Phelips family in 1760, and can clearly be seen from Montacute House in the village below. The greek inscription above the doorway to the tower describes it as a lookout, and there is a small fireplace and chimney at the top of the 52-step spiral staircase. There are stories that the tower is connected to Montacute House by a 'secret tunnel' but these have never been substantiated. The tower is privately owned, but open to the public, and there are views over the whole of south Somerset from the windows at the top.

Jim Champion

Holy Tree Cross

The Holy Tree stands at the cross roads on the old main road just outside Stoke-Sub-Hamdon, now bypassed by the A303. Branches on the far side of trunk probably fall within adjacent grid square.

Rupert Fleetingly