Nestled in the heart of Somerset, the picturesque market town of Axbridge seems to have been frozen in time for over six centuries. With its charming Tudor timber-framed buildings, historic church, and narrow winding lanes, Axbridge transports visitors back to the Middle Ages.
Many of Axbridge’s buildings predate Christopher Columbus’s 1492 voyage, but the town’s roots reach even deeper. The nearby Mendip Hills have long been a source of valuable minerals. The Romans once extracted lead here, while prehistoric communities mined flint for tools and weapons, showcasing the region’s rich geological history.
Axbridge’s significance was cemented in 1202 when King John granted it a Royal Charter, selling much of the Royal manor of Cheddar to the Bishop of Bath and Wells. During the Tudor period, the town flourished as a center for cloth production. Early Royal charters permitted markets and fairs, further boosting Axbridge’s status as a Royal borough.
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Remarkably, Axbridge even had its own mint that produced coins emblazoned with the town’s emblem—the lamb and flag, a symbol still honored by a local pub bearing the same name. The navigable River Axe linked the town to wider trade networks, extending to international markets via its wharves.
Today, history enthusiasts can explore Axbridge’s rich heritage through its local museum and the National Trust’s King John’s Hunting Lodge, a stunning example of timber-framed architecture. The town also celebrates its unique culture with events like the annual Blackberry Carnival in September and the decade-spanning Axbridge pageant, with the next scheduled for 2030.
Despite its historic importance and town status, Axbridge’s population remains small at around 2,000 residents, making it the smallest town in South West England and one of the tiniest in the UK. Recently, it gained attention as a filming location for the BBC crime thriller “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder,” bringing a modern twist to this timeless town.