Stoke-sub-hamdon

The village of Stoke-sub-Hamdon in Somerset lies nearby the River Parrett and is home to the Grade I listed Stoke-sub-Hamdon Priory; a former priests’ house dating to the 14th century and is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The village reaches around the geological Site of Special Scientific Interest, Ham Hill with its Iron Age hill fort, Roman site and Country Park. Quarrying has long been a major industry here and Ham Hill gives its name to the distinctive hamstone which is quarried from a ridge of sandy limestone rock. Geologists are particularly interested in the fossils to be found and the sedimentary features of the area.

Stoke-sub-Hamdon offers some amenities and is within easy reach of other settlements offering additional choices for dining, shopping and leisure. The village church of St. Mary the Virgin is a fascinating building dating from the 12th century that houses unusual carvings; abstract corbels, an astrological tympanum, St. Michael slaying the dragon and host of other architectural features. As a result of being added to throughout its history, the church reflects features from different eras and two of the carvings are thought to be Sheela na Gigs; figurative carvings of naked women displaying exaggerated body parts that are found on churches, castles and other buildings in the UK.