layers of oolite.  On the side of the defile is the old manor-house of the Leversedges, now applied to farm purposes.  The ruins of the original banqueting-hall (temp. Henry VII.) will repay investigation.  The pedestrian should approach the vale from Frome across the Lees, and may either return to the town by following the course of a tributary brook to Egford, or may prolong his walk along the banks of the main stream to Elm and Mells.

Venn Cross, a rural station on the G.W.R. line to Barnstaple.  It stands on the very border of the county, and serves a number of neighbouring villages.

Vobster, a small village 2 m.  S. of Mells Road Station.  Its uncouth name is said to be derived from some Dutch weavers who once worked a mill on the banks of the neighbouring stream.  The church is a neat little modern building.

Walton, a village 3 m.  S.W. of Glastonbury.  The church is modern.  At the W. end of it is a thatched 15th cent. parsonage with some ecclesiastical windows, now a farm.  From the hill behind the village (marked by a windmill) an excellent view of the full extent of Sedgemoor may be obtained.

Walton-in-Gordano, a village 1 m.  N. of Clevedon, very prettily situated near the Channel.  Of the church, the only ancient part is the base of the tower (15th cent.), under which a few fragments of carved stones are preserved.  The present building is said to be modelled on the style of the old.

Wanstrow, a village 6 m.  S.W. of Frome, with a station on the G.W.R. branch to Wells.  The church is ancient, but without interest.

Washford, a large hamlet in the parish of Old Cleeve, with a station (on the G.W.R. branch to Minehead) which affords easy access to Cleeve Abbey.

WATCHET, a small port of some 2000 inhabitants, situated on the Bristol Channel.  It has always been of some trading importance, as giving access to the valley between the Brendons and Quantocks, and has seen some history.  In Saxon times it was more than once raided by the Danes, and on the road to Williton is a spot called “Battle Gore,” which may preserve the memory of a fight with the invaders.  Its church, St Decuman’s, on the way to Williton, is interesting.  It has a good tower, with a figure of the saint on the S. face.  There is a stoup outside the W. door, and remains of another in the S. porch.  It will be seen that the chancel roof is a continuation of that of the nave.  In the interior note (1) the group of four bishops, and St George (or St Michael) with the Dragon on some of the arcade piers; (2) the oak roof, pulpit and cornice; (3) the screen (which, however, is mostly modern).  There are two chapels, Holy Cross on the S. and St Peter’s on the N. The latter is filled with tombs and brasses of the Wyndham family, chiefly 16th and 17th cent.  In the churchyard is a restored cross.  The farm-house of Kentisford, near the church, was once a manor-house, and preserves the name of St Keyne.