Stogumber: Valley, Church and Local History

Stogumber lies in a valley between the Quantocks and the Brendons. The western part of the parish of Stogumber lies within Exmoor National Park. For your trip planning, these refer to two different areas: the valley describes the village, while the park designation applies to the western part of the parish. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Stogumber, you can start by considering whether church history, local history, the railway or a country walk will shape your stay.

Church and local history

The Church of St Mary in Stogumber is listed as a Grade I building. A separate architectural feature is the private residence, The Old Vicarage: it contains a medieval dwelling with an originally open hall.

Historically, Stogumber was the leading church for all Baptists in Exmoor. The bells in Stogumber are rung for Sunday services; practice usually takes place on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm. These details refer to different times. Check locally if you want to plan around them.

Stogumber was a local wool town and served as a distribution centre for the domestic industries in the surrounding hamlets and farms. In the 17th century, Sir John Sydenham established a new market and new fairs. The town’s role in the wool trade and as a distribution centre reflects its links with the surrounding area; the market and fairs are a separate aspect of its history.

The Stogumber Brewery was founded around 1840. The Market House can still be seen today as part of the Stogumber pub building. A Bronze Age axe was also found in Stogumber. The Bronze Age find and the medieval dwelling date back further than the market established in the 17th century and the founding of the Stogumber Brewery around 1840.

Railway and walks

Trains hauled by historic locomotives on the West Somerset Railway run through Stogumber; operating days vary. Check the current timetable before travelling. Stogumber Station also has a tea garden. Check whether it is open at the time of your visit.

A three-mile country walk runs from Crowcombe Heathfield Station to Stogumber Station, following a route close to the railway line. Stogumber Station is just over a mile from the village centre. The three miles refer to the route between the stations, not the distance from Stogumber Station to the village centre. If you plan to do the walk, bear in mind that conditions along the route may vary.

The Stogumber Outdoor Learning Shelter offers a different focus: it is available to visitors in all weather for environmental and educational activities. The emphasis here is on the environment and learning, not architectural or market history. If you want to plan around these activities, check current availability.

Discover more destinations: Wells, West Coker, Hornblotton, Dulverton, Frome, Holford, Shepton Mallet, Ilchester.

For the main travel overview: Somerset.