Brent Knoll is a conspicuous eminence of lias, drowned with a cap of inferior oolite, about 450 ft. above sea-level and four acres in extent.  On the summit is a camp with a single rampart (though there are, in addition, external terraces in certain positions), British in origin, but utilised by the Romans.  It commands a splendid view, embracing the Mendips and Quantocks, Glastonbury Tor, the Channel, and the River Parrett.

Brent, South, 1 m. from Brent Knoll Station, has a church very picturesquely situated on the side of the knoll.  Though in the main Perp., it contains examples of earlier work.  The S. doorway is Norm, or Trans. (12th cent.), and there is also a small Norm. pillar (perhaps part of a piscina) attached to the E. wall of the N. aisle.  The S. wall is in E.E. (note the corbels); and a large S. chapel (note piscina), now used as a vestry, is Dec. (about 1370).  The Perp.  W. tower, with triple belfry windows, has unusually short buttresses for a tower of its class.  Within the church the most noticeable features are (1) fine wooden roof of N. aisle; (2) mural monument of John Somersett (d. 1663) and his two wives; (3) font of unusual shape; (4) the seat-ends (assigned to the 15th cent.), with their curious carvings, partly sacred emblems and partly humorous scenes, the latter depicting a fox (1) in the robes of an abbot or bishop, (2) brought to trial, (3) executed.

Brewham, South, a village 3 m.  N.E. of Bruton.  It lies in a dell through which flows the Brue (whence its name).  The church, chiefly Perp., is not of much interest, though beneath the tower at the S.W. corner is a doorway of rough construction but peculiar character; near it is a stoup.  In the churchyard is a cross and an old font. North Brewham is a small hamlet 1/2 m. away.

Bridgwater, a seaport of more than 15,000 inhabitants, on the tidal part of the Parrett.  It has a station on the G.W.R. main line to Exeter, and is the terminus of the S. & D. branch from Glastonbury.  The general aspect of the town is uninviting, and its immediate surroundings are almost as uninspiring as its buildings.  The river, which ministers largely to its prosperity, adds little to its attractions.  It, however, furnishes the town twice a day with a mild sensation in the shape of a bore, which at the turn of the tide rolls up the river-bed like a miniature breaker.  Though the name, Bridgwater, hardly savours of antiquity it really conceals quite a venerable origin.  The not uncommon combination of a bridge and water has nothing to do with the nomenclature.  The name appears to be a corruption of Burgh Walter, from Walter of Douay, one of the followers of William the Conqueror.  In the Great Rebellion the place proved to the Royal cause in the West a kind of Metz.  The castle was supposed to be impregnable, and was held in force for the king by Colonel Wyndham, but on the destruction of the suburb of Eastover by Fairfax,