Attractions

On this page you will find information about the many fascinating and scenic places which lie on the bus routes around Somerset. Often glimpsed only from the windows of a bus while travelling from A to B, these towns and villages are well worth a visit in their own right.

Route 161: FROME - WELLS

FROME

Cheap Street, Frome (Photo by Ronald Searle) 

Set on the eastern edge of the Mendip Hills, Frome is built on steep handsome hills around the river. Frome means 'brisk-flowing water' and the early town and its Market Place grew around springs which to this day provide continuous supplies of fresh clean water. This can be seen in Cheap Street, one of the best preserved medieval streets in Europe, where the leat winds its way down the centre of the pavement. Packed to the rafters with artisans, historic buildings, beautiful independent shops and creative people, Frome is a wonderfully vibrant and eventful town. It is the perfect destination for discerning tourists looking for something just a little bit different on visits to Somerset.

More info: www.discoverfrome.co.uk

NUNNEY

Nunney Castle (Photo by Tom Oates)

Nunney is a picturesque village with a castle at its heart. Nunney Castle is a small French-style castle surrounded by a deep moat, built for Sir John Delamare in 1373. Said to have been based on the Bastille in Paris, it shows a strong awareness of contemporary French practice. It was later the property of William Paulet, 1st Marquess of Winchester, before passing to several owners and in 1577 was sold to Swithun Thorpe to John Parker who only kept it for a year before selling it to Richard Prater, at a cost of  £ 20000. During the English Civil War, Colonel Richard Prater, who held the castle until 1645, lost it to Fairfax, Cromwell's commander in the battle that took place at Nunney. The castle was besieged for two days, but capitulated when Cromwell's men used cannon to blast a great hole in the north wall of the castle.

More info: www.visitnunney.com, www.nunney.org
Food & Drink: The George Inn is a 17th century coaching inn opposite the castle, with bar, restuarant and B&B.

LEIGH ON MENDIP

A scenic village surrounding by rolling countryside.

More info: www.leigh-on-mendip.org.uk
Food and drink: The Bell Inn

CRANMORE

Cranmore Station (Photo by Geoff Sheppard)

Cranmore is the base of the East Somerset Railway, which plays host to a variety of preserved diesel and steam locomotives. It operates the line between Cranmore and Mendip Vale. The section between Cranmore and the mainline is used for heavy quarry traffic to the nearby Merehead Quarry. The quarry, also known as Tor Works, covers an area of 200 hectares, employs 200 people and produces 6 million tonnes of limestone annually, which is carried directly from thw quarry by Mendip Rail.

More info: www.eastsomersetrailway.com

SHEPTON MALLET

Shepton Mallet marketplace (Photo by Wurzeller)

Shepton Mallet is a small rural town in Mendip district. It contains 218 listed buildings and the town centre, and the Bowlish, Darshill and Charlton areas, form a conservation area. The hexagonal, 50 ft tall, market cross in the town centre dates back to a bequest of £20 by Walter Buckland in 1520, and was rebuilt in 1841. Also in the market place is The Shambles, a medieval market stall, although it has been much restored. Shepton Mallet is the closest town to the site of the Glastonbury festival, the largest music festival in Europe. Also nearby is is the Royal Bath and West show. Shepton Leisure center sits in the heart of the community and offers a warm welcome and atmosphere with a wide range of  sports facilities for young and old alike. 

Shepton Mallet Leisure Centre sits in the heart of the community and offers a warm welcome atmosphere with a wide range of sports facilities. - See more at: http://www.1610.org.uk/centres/10/shepton-mallet-leisure-centre/#sthash.TII1plyA.dpuf

hepton

hepton Mallet Leisure Centre sits in the heart of the community and offers a warm welcome atmosphere with a wide range of sports facilities. - See more at: http://www.1610.org.uk/centres/10/shepton-mallet-leisure-centre/#sthash.UlddduaQ.dpuf

hepton Mallet Leisure Centre sits in the heart of the community and offers a warm welcome atmosphere with a wide range of sports facilities. - See more at: http://www.1610.org.uk/centres/10/shepton-mallet-leisure-centre/#sthash.UlddduaQ.dpuf

More info: www.visitsheptonmallet.co.uk

CROSCOMBE

River Sheppey in Croscombe (Photo by Sharon Loxton)

Croscombe is a village which was built on the wool trade in the 16th and 17th centuries. The large Church of St Mary the Virgin is of particular interest, having an unusual spire for Somerset, and Jacobean interior woodwork. North-east of the village is Maesbury Castle, an Iron Age hill fort.

Food and drink: The George Inn is an award-winning 17th centure freehouse.

WELLS

Wells Cathedral (Photo by Schnobby)

Wells is a compact city with a historic centre, magnificent cathedral and unique moated Bishop's Palace.If you enjoy rambling or other outdoor pursuits Wells has a lot to offer, for the less adventurous Wells also have a wide variety of tea rooms. There is a weekly market every Wednesday selling food, clothes, jewellery and much more. The film Hot Fuzz was shot in Wells, and you can take a tour around the city to visit areas where scenes were filmed. You can also have a drink or a meal in the pub were sgt Angel arrested at lot of under age drinkers along with Danny Butterman, which is situated at the top end of town  almost opposite the pasty shop they do very nice coffee.

More info: www.wellssomerset.com