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Did You Know?

Wells, with its magnificent cathedral is the smallest city in England

King Alfred was based in Somerset and there is a legend that he 'burnt the cakes' whilst hiding from the Danes at Athelney, in the house of a local peasant woman.

Culbone Church is the smallest parish church in England

The West Somerset Railway is the longest preserved steam railway in the country

Cheddar cheese is produced and originates from the village of Cheddar

It is thought that Kilmersdon's Jack and Jill of the nursery rhyme, were a 16th century couple who climbed every day to a well at the top of the hill for water, until one day Jack was hit by a boulder from a nearby quarry and tumbled down the hill. The Jack and Jill Millennium project re-discovered a medieval well shaft in 1999 and a new well-head has been built over the 38 feet deep well shaft.

Taunton was the first town in the country to be lit permanently by electric street lighting in 1881

The Battle of Sedgemoor (1685) was the last civil battle on English soil

Glastonbury is known as the birthplace of Christianity. There is a legend that Joseph of Arimathea planted the holy thorn on Wirral Hill

Glastonbury is also a New Age centre, the Tor is said to be an important crossing point for ley lines

There are 23 golf courses in Somerset

Somerset is home to the Glastonbury Festival, by far the biggest and best known arts and music festival in Europe

Somerset willow is used to make the Bearskin 'caps' at Buckingham Palace

Somerset means 'land of the summer people'

Cider Brandy is made in Somerset

Exmoor ponies are one of the world's oldest breeds

There are three areas designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty within Somerset and one National Park

There are over 500 parish churches in Somerset, almost all of which are of historical or archaeological interest. There are also many historical non-conformist churches and chapels

Somerset is home to around 70 carnival clubs, and Bridgwater carnival is the largest illuminated procession in Europe