Somerset

Located in the west country of England with a population of around 500,000, and an area of 1,333 square miles, The county seat is Taunton.

Industry

The area was once a series of marshes around the Somerset levels but these have been largely drained and are now an area of highly fertile farm land. Dairy farming, cider and the famous cheddar cheese are products of Somerset, which was always famous for its cider production. Leather goods are still produced together with shoes. Taunton also has a range of industries and manufacturing. Peat is extracted in some quantity from the former levels but coal and limestone which were once extracted are no longer of importance.

Geography

The principal rivers are the Bristol Avon, the Exe, and the Parrett and tributaries. The terrain is level in the centre, with the Mendip Hills to the east and Exmoor National Park and the Quantock Hills to the west.

History

There are prehistoric remains at Cheddar and Glastonbury, which has an ancient abbey where King Arthur is reputed to be buried. The area became part of the Kingdom of Wessex at an early stage in that Kingdom’s growth and King Alfred the Great took refuge in the marshes to escape capture by the invading Danes. From the island Athelney, he gathered his forces and defeated the invaders led by their King Guthrum. Bath, with its hot spa waters, was an important centre for the Romans and the original baths still survive.

Somerset County Flag