Williton

Visitors to Minehead and the northern parts of Exmoor can't help but pass through Williton on the journey.For the largest village in West Somerset sees two busy roads come together after they have skirted the northern and southern flanks of the Quantock Hills, the A39 from Bridgwater and the A358 from Taunton. Williton was, to the invading Saxons in the 5th century, the "ton of the Waelas" or strange-speaking people. The age of the settlement dates much further back than that, evidenced by the excavation of Bronze Age relics. With a population approaching 4,000, its development has come about through its central position and its importance to the agricultural and commercial life of the area. Agriculture remains the cornerstone of its business life, along with its steady development as a local government centre. The village gave its name to the largest area of rural administration in Somerset ,Williton Rural District Council , and with local government reorganisation in 1974, it became the centre of administration for West Somerset District Council. Williton has its place in history for its association with the murder of Thomas A'Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, in 1170. One of the four knights who committed the deed was Reginald Fitzurse, who held the manor of Williton. Facing banishment for his crime and with his conscience compelling him to make reparation, he gave half of his manor to his brother Robert to build a chapel of ease. This was done, and Williton's parish church of St. Peter has grown upon the 800-year-old foundations of the Fitzurse chapelry.

Williton - picturee thanks to John Lambourn

Williton is the local administrative centre, with the district council main offices in the centre of the village. There is a good selection of shops and pubs to visit, all within a mile of the station. In the village is the building, formerly the "Egremont", where in 1856, a meeting was called to discuss the building of a railway "from the West Somerset iron-fields and coast to the Bristol and Exeter Railway".The West Somerset Free Press, a long-established local paper, has its offices here. Williton has shops and inns and the delightful Orchard Mill with its working wheel, museum and cafe. West Somerset's main administrative centre is a busy village at the junction of the A358 and A39. It has more tranquil back streets with thatched cottages. The church is mainly 19th century and nearby there was once the home of Reginald Fitzurse who led the knights who killed Thomas Becket in 1170. The manor house of Orchard Wyndham opens to visitors on a few days in August and Orchard Mill houses a fascinating Bakelite Museum and offers lunches and cream teas. The station is on the West Somerset Railway on the east side of the village.

Priest House Williton, now the Police Station

Williton was, to the invading Saxons in the 5th century, the "ton of the Waelas" or strange-speaking people. The age of the settlement dates much further back than that, evidenced by the excavation of Bronze Age relics. But it has come a long way since then. With a population approaching 4,000, its development has come about through its central position and its importance to the agricultural and commercial life of the area. Agriculture remains the cornerstone of its business life, along with its steady development as a local government centre. Williton's most famous resident was Reginald Fitz-Urse who was one of four knights who murdered Thomas a Becket. As part of his punishment he was made to build a chapel-at-ease nearby, now St Decumens Church, Watchet. The village gave its name to the largest area of rural administration in Somerset — Williton Rural District Council —and with local government reorganisation in 1974, it became the centre of administration for West Somerset District Council.

Williton has its place in history for its association with the murder of Thomas A'Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, in 1170. One of the four knights who committed the deed was Reginald Fitzurse, who held the manor of Williton. Facing banishment for his crime and with his conscience compelling him to make reparation, he gave half of his manor to his brother Robert to build a chapel of ease.

St Peter's Church Williton

This was done, and Williton's parish church of St. Peter has grown upon the 800-year-old foundations of the Fitzurse chapelry. Williton is a thriving village with a number of shops, a library, and two schools. The name is derived from Willet-tun meaning place on the River Willet. this is now called the Doniford Stream. St Peter's Church, the parish church of Williton, is Victorian.

St Peter's Church Williton

There are a variety of interesting buildings in the village including the former Williton Hospital which incorporated a workhouse built by Gilbert Scott, who later designed Liverpool Cathedral. It is now residential flats. The Victorian Police Station is an attractive building, while nearby Orchard Mill dates from the early part of the 17th Century and is now partly a museum.

The Police Station Williton

Williton station on the West Somerset Railway line is some distance from the village centre and is the entry point for many visitors. Williton Railway Station is a fine surviving example of a Bristol and Exeter Railway station. The main building still retains the original Italianate chimney and, inside, it is like walking into a time warp. Guarding the level crossing is the original B&ER signal box. The two platforms are separated by a rather larger distance than usual - this harks back to the old broad gauge days. The goods shed is now the home of the West Somerset Railway Diesel and Electric Group, whose collection of heritage diesel locomotives reflect a more recent, but defunct, picture of Britain's railways. Of special note are the Western Region Diesel Hydraulic locomotives which once pulled famous trains like the "Torbay Express", "Golden Hind" and "Cornish Riviera".

Williton - photo John Lamboum

The large building at the north end of the yard came from the Great Western Railway works at Swindon (it was donated by Tarmac Ltd), and is a very early example of a prefabricated steel building. It now houses several restoration projects. The font in the church is carved from Alabaster from the hills at Watchet
 

Contributed by: Jane Clarke, Simon Killen, John Lamboum