Somerset eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 291 pages of information about Somerset.

Somerset eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 291 pages of information about Somerset.
for half a mile across the mud, and is furnished with an elaborate pavilion.  Sea-bathing of a sort is occasionally obtainable, and some good public baths supply what in this respect is lacking.  A strip of sand at the foot of the esplanade furnishes the children with a somewhat restricted playground.  The shops are good, the accommodation plentiful, and in amusements the town can almost vie with Blackpool and Brighton.  There are two public parks—­Grove Park in the centre of the town, and Clarence Park (more spacious and pleasing) near the Sanatorium.  In a mushroom-town like Weston there are naturally not many antiquities.  Such “finds” as occasionally come to hand are treasured in a museum attached to the Free Library in the Boulevard.  The churches are modern.  In the parish church—­an ingeniously ugly building—­are one or two remnants of an earlier structure.  Note (1) font near chancel; (2) representation of Trinity (cp.  Binegar, S. Brent, and Yatton) built into interior wall of N. vestry; (3) fantastic glass in E. window.  In the churchyard are the remains of a cross.  Weston has, however, one antiquity of quite remarkable interest in Worlebury Camp.  As viewed from the parade the crest of the hill behind the town will be seen to be crowned with an extensive litter of stones.  These are the debris of a primitive fortification.  To investigate make for the junction of South Road and Edgehill Street (the old pier), turn down a lane on the L. and ascend a flight of concealed steps at the bottom.  The rampart is now largely a confused heap of limestone fragments, but the general plan of it may be easily detected.  The camp is confined to the W. extremity of the hill and covers an area of about 10 acres.  On the S., or level side, it is defended not only by the main rampart, but by two supplementary walls separated by a fosse.  Within the fortification will be found a number of circular pits, some 93 in all.  This circumstance gives the camp its peculiarity.  From remains of corn and other produce found at the bottom, they are believed to have been receptacles for storage.  The pits vary in size, the average diameter being 6 ft. and the depth 5 ft.  They were, perhaps, originally protected by some kind. of roof, constructed of wicker-work.  Amongst their contents have been found some human remains, many of them showing injuries produced by weapons.  The construction of the camp has been assigned to the 3rd cent.  B.C.  It had three entrances, on the S.E. side, the N.E. corner, and the W. end of the hill.  Beyond the camp the hill is traversed by paths, any of which will serve for a pleasant ramble.  If the central path through the wood be continued, a descent may be made to Kewstoke or Milton, or a more prolonged walk may be taken to Worle.  Weston’s most charming walk is, however, to skirt the N. base of Worle Hill and proceed through the woods to Kewstoke, whence Worspring Priory (q.v.) may be visited.  (Cycles and carriages pay toll at the lodge, pedestrians free.)

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Somerset from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.