Shepton Mallet

Nestling in a fold of the Mendip Hills, the historic town of Shepton Mallet dates back to Roman times. The Fosseway (now A37) passes through the town, and there have been many significant archaeological finds here.

The town's name derives from Saxon times, when it was called 'Scaep Ton' - literally Sheep Farm. During the Norman period, the town belonged to the Abbots of Glastonbury; later the manor passed to William Mallet, a wealthy Norman companion of William the Conqueror, and thus the town gained the second half of its name.

One of Shepton Mallet's darker moments took place in 1685, when the Market Cross was the scene of several executions connected with the Duke of Monmouth's 'Pitchfork Rebellion', by order of the notorious Judge Jeffreys.

Shepton Mallet was a significant market and wool-trading centre from the 15th to the 17th centuries, and many fine examples of cloth merchants' houses still remain. Other industries grew to replace the cloth industry, including quarrying, brewing, cheese-making, and cider and perry production.

Nowadays a combination of ancient market town and modern industrial community, Shepton Mallet still retains its unique identity. Features of interest include the parish church, Market Cross and Collett Park.