Nestled in the heart of Somerset, the quaint market town of Axbridge offers a rare glimpse into England’s rich medieval past. With its timber-framed Tudor buildings, historic church, and narrow winding streets, Axbridge looks as though time has stood still for six centuries.
Many of the town’s structures predate Christopher Columbus’s 1492 voyage, yet Axbridge’s story stretches even further back. The nearby Mendip Hills have long been a source of valuable minerals — first exploited by prehistoric communities mining flint, and later by the Romans extracting lead.
Axbridge received its Royal Charter in 1202 when King John sold the Royal manor of Cheddar to the Bishop of Bath and Wells. This charter paved the way for Axbridge’s evolution into a thriving market town, especially during the Tudor era when it flourished as a center for cloth production.
The town’s elevated status as a Royal borough is evident in its history of hosting markets and fairs under early charters. Once home to its own mint, Axbridge produced coins emblazoned with its emblem—the lamb and flag—a symbol still proudly displayed at the local pub of the same name. The navigable waters of the River Axe enabled international trade, with goods reaching the wharves in Axbridge.
Today, visitors can explore Axbridge’s heritage at the local museum and the National Trust’s King John’s Hunting Lodge, a stunning timber-framed building offering a window into medieval architecture.
Cultural traditions remain strong: the annual Blackberry Carnival every September celebrates local life, while the historic Axbridge pageant, held once every decade, continues to draw crowds, with the next event slated for 2030.
Despite its rich history and town status, Axbridge is remarkably small, with a population of just 2,000—making it the tiniest town in South West England and one of the smallest in the UK.
Recently, Axbridge caught the public eye as the filming location for the BBC crime thriller A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, blending its timeless charm with contemporary storytelling.