woodland dells, heathy moorlands, and mountain air are great, and are enhanced by interests which appeal both to the lovers of sport and the lovers of literature, for upon them the red deer is hunted (as well as upon Exmoor), and near them Coleridge and Wordsworth made their homes.  They are easily accessible on the E. from Bridgwater, whence good roads lead to Cothelstone Beacon and Nether Stowey (to the latter the G.W.R. runs a motor car), and on the S. from Taunton, whence the railway to Minehead skirts their W. flanks all the way to the coast, with stations at intervals (Bishop’s Lydeard, Crowcombe, Stogumber, Williton).  On the E. side, they are cut by numerous long and leafy combes (notably Cockercombe and Seven Wells’ Combe), which afford easy ascents; but on the W. the slopes are much steeper and barer.  Their tops are covered with bracken, heather, scrub oak, and quantities of whortle berries, the ripening of the last marking the beginning of the summer holidays for the village children, who then go “whorting.”  The most conspicuous summits in order from S.E. to N.W. are Cothelstone Beacon, Witt’s Neck, Danesborough (where there is a British camp), and Longstone Hill.  A track (not fit for cyclists) runs the whole length of the range, starting from where the road from Bridgwater to Bagborough begins to descend to the latter place, and ending where the hills slope towards the sea between E. and W. Quantoxhead. Triscombe Stone, near the head of Cockercombe, is a famous meet for the staghounds.  At Adscombe, near Seven Wells’ Combe, are the remains of a chantry which is said to have belonged to the monastery at Athelney.  The W. window, with door beneath, still survives.

Quantoxhead, East, a parish 4-1/2 m.  N.E. from Williton, near the shore.  Its church retains a few interesting features, among them being a tomb of Hugh Luttrell (1522), some carved seat ends (one with the Luttrell arms), a Caroline pulpit (1633), and a piscina.  In the churchyard is the shaft of a cross.  Near the church is Court House, an old manor house, with the remains of a pierced parapet.  It formerly belonged to the Luttrell family.

Quantoxhead, West, a parish 1-1/2 m.  E. of Williton.  The church of St Etheldreda (Audrey), which is beautifully situated, has been wholly rebuilt (1856), the only ancient feature being the shaft of the churchyard cross.  In the parish is St Audries, the seat of Sir A.F.  Acland Hood.

Queen Charlton, a small village 2 m.  S.W. of Keynsham, with the abbey of which it once had an intimate connection.  A fine Norm. doorway, built into a garden wall, was originally the gateway of the abbey court-house.  The church has a central Norm, tower, but is otherwise without interest.  A Dec. arcade, now blocked, seems at one time to have divided the sanctuary from some demolished chantry.  The base and shaft of a cross ornament the village green.