Downhead

Civil Parish in Somerset Mendip

England

Downhead

Tadhill House Farm buildings Credit: Rob Purvis

Downhead is a civil parish located in the county of Somerset, England. Situated in the Mendip Hills, it covers an area of approximately 4 square miles. The parish is part of the Mendip District and is situated about 9 miles south-west of the town of Frome.

The population of Downhead is relatively small, with just over 300 residents according to the last available census data. The parish is primarily rural, characterized by rolling hills, farmland, and picturesque countryside. It is surrounded by several other civil parishes including Oakhill, Doulting, and Stoke St. Michael.

The village of Downhead itself is centered around St. Hugh's Church, which dates back to the 12th century. The church is a notable landmark in the area and attracts visitors interested in its historical and architectural significance. The village also features a few scattered residential properties, some of which are traditional stone cottages.

The economy of Downhead is largely based on agriculture, with many residents involved in farming and livestock rearing. There are a few small businesses in the area, including a farm shop that sells locally produced goods. The parish is known for its tranquility and natural beauty, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and nature lovers.

Overall, Downhead is a quiet and rural civil parish in Somerset, offering a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of larger towns and cities.

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Downhead Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.208654/-2.436975 or Grid Reference ST6945. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Tadhill House Farm buildings

Rob Purvis

Old Milestone by Old Wells Road, near Tadhill House Farm

The Milestone is located on grass verge on the South of the road. Parish of Downhead (Mendip District). Stone post (plate lost), Frome square iron plate design, erected by the Frome turnpike trust in the 18th Century, plate repainted by MSS summer 2009. An earlier photograph can be found here: Link Inscription reads:- Frome / 6 / Wells / 9 Grade II listed. List Entry Number: 1345266 Link

Milestone Society National ID: SO_FRWL06

Janet Dowding

2011 : Track through Asham Wood

Wikipedia has this to say: "Asham Wood is the largest and most diverse of the ancient semi-natural woods in the Mendips. It has been the subject of controversy and attempts to protect the environment from increased quarrying activity in the area. The wood occupies 2 deep valleys and the intervening plateau. Most of the underlying rocks are calcareous Carboniferous Limestone and Shales, but Devonian Portishead Beds outcrop along the northern valley. There [is] a range of unusual flora and fauna. At Asham Wood near Frome coppicing and 50 dormouse boxes have been introduced in order to encourage nesting. The boxes are monitored and dormice numbers are recorded." Link

The only access to Asham Wood from the road is on the north east edge near Dead Womans Bottom, otherwise it is by footpath.

Maurice Pullin

2011 : Track through Asham Wood

The only access to Asham Wood from the road is on the north east edge near Dead Womans Bottom, otherwise it is by footpath.

Maurice Pullin

2011 : Into Asham Wood on the East Mendip Way

The East Mendip Way runs between Wells and Frome Link

Mendip Way Asham Wood is about two thirds of the way along starting from Wells.

Maurice Pullin

Gate on Limekiln Lane onto guarded property

Rob Purvis

Leighton Chapel

Leighton Chapel.

Skip Price

2011 : Quarry buildings at Merehead Quarry

More accurately Torr Works Quarry. A limestone quarry run by Foster Yeoman, Merehead is the name of the railhead at the quarry. Culled from; Link

And from: Link

"The site covers an area of some 200 hectares, including 60 hectares which have been landscaped to blend with the surrounding countryside. It is operated by the Aggregate Industries Company employing over 200 people and produces 6 million tonnes of limestone annually which is carried directly from the quarry by Mendip Rail. A Geodiversity audit of the site recorded pale to dark grey well bedded Carboniferous Limestone dipping consistently southwards with a small area of overlying horizontally bedded buff-coloured Jurassic oolitic limestone forming an angular unconformity."

Maurice Pullin

2011 : A gathering of toposcopes

At a viewpoint south west of Merehead Quarry. On a day not suitable for long distance viewing. Since writing the above have wondered what the collective noun for "toposcope" would be - a panorama perhaps?

Maurice Pullin

2011 : Warning sign, Merehead Quarry

On a public footpath near the top of a cliff.

Maurice Pullin

2011 : Footpath and bridleway near Merehead Quarry

Follows the edge of the quarry which is well protected. Cranmore Tower appears on the hill in front ST6745

Maurice Pullin

Downhead, postbox and noticeboard

Rob Purvis

Lane junction at Downhead

Rob Purvis

Torr Works entrance

The entrance to the biggest hole in Europe, so I'm told. The quarry covers an area of 1.5 sq km. virtually the whole of the square to the N has been quarried. A bridleway goes through it oddly enough!

Graham Richards