Somerset | Page 2

Frith,
Reigate_)
VICARS' CLOSE, WELLS (_From a Photograph by Messrs Frith,
Reigate_)
THE PALACE GATEWAY, WELLS (_From a Photograph by Messrs
Valentine, Dundee_)

WESTON-SUPER-MARE (_From a Photograph by Messrs Valentine,
Dundee_)
NINE SPRINGS, YEOVIL (_From a Photograph by Messrs Valentine,
Dundee_)
MAP OF SOMERSET

INTRODUCTION
I. SITUATION AND EXTENT
SOMERSET is one of the S.W. counties of England. On the N. it is
washed by the Bristol Channel; on the N.E. the Avon, like a silver
streak, divides it from Gloucestershire; it is bordered on the E. by
Wiltshire; its S.E. neighbour is Dorset; and on the S.W. it touches
Devon. Its shape is so irregular that dimensions give a misleading
indication of its extent. Its extreme length is about 60 m., and its
greatest width 38; but it narrows so rapidly westwards that where it
abuts on Devon its average width is only 15 m. In point of size it stands
seventh on the list of English counties, having an area of over a million
acres, or 1633 square m. It lies between 2° 10' and 3° 50' W. longitude,
and 50° 50' and 51° 30' N. latitude. Its population in 1901 was 508,104.
It is one of the few counties which was originally the settlement of a
single tribe, the Somersaetas, from whom it takes its name; and the fact
that "Somerset" (like Dorset) is thus a tribal name is in favour of its
dispensing with the suffix shire, though "Somersetshire" has been in
common use since the time of the "Saxon Chronicle."

II. CLIMATE
The climate is mild and equable, though from its diversified surface the
county experiences some varieties of temperature. The seaboard is
warm, but its considerable southward trend gives it a good Atlantic
frontage, which prevents it from being relaxing. Weston is said to be

ten degrees warmer than London. The breezes on the uplands are
bracing but never searching. The Mendips have been considered a
suitable site for a consumptive sanatorium. The central flats are damp.
They lie so low that in places the coast has to be protected by sea walls,
and the prevalence of large "rhines" or drains makes for humidity. The
sheltered vale of Taunton Dean (for the term cp. _Hawthorndean,
Rottingdean_) is warm and sunny. The rainfall is abundant, but, except
in the neighbourhood of Exmoor, cannot be said to be excessive.

III. COMMUNICATIONS
Roads.--Everywhere highways and byways are numerous, and some
districts are prodigally supplied with footpaths. With the exception of
Exmoor, which is best explored on foot, even the remotest parts are
accessible to the wheelman. But the cyclist will find the travelling
somewhat unequal. Like the curate's fabled egg, the roads are best
described as "good in parts." Amongst the hills they are firm but
arduous, in the plains easy but soft. The main thoroughfares, however,
can be recommended both for breadth and surface.
Railways.--The Somerset railway system is extensive. The G.W.R. (the
chief service of the county) unites Bath with Bristol, and throwing itself
round the N.W. extremity of the Mendips, runs down an almost ideal
track to Taunton and Wellington. A loop from Worle to Uphill serves
Weston-super-Mare, whilst short branches, one from Bristol and a
second from Yatton, afford communication with Portishead and
Clevedon. Another section skirts the E. side of the county from Frome
to Yeovil, and by taking a short cross-country cut from Castle Cary to
Langport unites again with the trunk line near Taunton. From Taunton
branches radiate to Minehead, Dulverton, Chard, and Yeovil. A branch
line again connects Bristol with Frome, and access is obtained to Wells
and Cheddar by a line from Yatton, skirting the W. base of the Mendips
as far as Witham. The S. & D. constitutes a link between the Midland
on the N. and the L. & S.W. on the S. It boldly attacks the Mendips
from Bath, and after clambering over the summit at Masbury, drops
down suddenly to Evercreech, from which point it diverges either

westwards to Burnham (with branches to Wells and Bridgewater), or
southwards to Templecombe. A light railway serves the Wrington Vale,
and another connects Weston with Clevedon.

IV. PHYSICAL FEATURES AND GEOLOGY
There is a prevalent belief that the picturesque part of the West of
England begins with Devon and ends with Cornwall, to which
Somerset is merely a stepping-stone. This opinion is no doubt fostered
by the impression which the tourist derives of the county through the
carriage windows of the "Cornishman." But the considerations that
appeal to the railway engineer are mechanical rather than aesthetic; and,
unfortunately for the reputation of Somerset for scenery, the line of
least resistance is the line of least interest--the dead level skirting the
coast between Bristol and Taunton. As a matter of fact, there are few
districts which afford