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Somerset Leasing

Did You Know?

If you ask the question “what is Somerset famous for?”, you’ll likely get an answer to do with cider! Brought to Britain by the Romans, cider production dates as far back as the 11th century. Used as a health supplement and thought to be beneficial for the skin, cider has long been a part of Somerset’s history.

One of a number of native British ponies, Exmoor ponies have been living in Somerset for quite some time. A relatively unknown fact about Somerset is that fossil remains of Exmoor ponies have been found that date back to around 50,000 BC!. Some experts believe they may even have been around since the ice age!

Somerset skittles is a game consisting of nine wooden pins arranged into a diamond formation. A bowling ball is then thrown down an alley, and each turn or ‘hand’ consists of three throws down the alley. If all the pins are knocked down within the first or second throw, then they are reset, resulting in a maximum score of 27 per ‘hand’.

Thomas Coryate was born in the town of Crewkerne in 1577, and went on to live most of his life in the small Somerset village of Odcombe. He was employed as a ‘court jester’ for Prince Henry, eldest son of James I, before undertaking his first travelling tour across Europe.

The largest collection of Roman coins ever found in a single container was discovered near Frome in Somerset by a metal detectorist in 2010.

The West Somerset Railway has been a part of Somerset history since the 1850s. It began as a smaller line between Taunton and Watchet, before being expanded to extend to Minehead in 1874.

These facts about Somerset wouldn’t be complete without mentioning this world famous cheese. Cemented in the history of Somerset since the 12th century is Cheddar cheese! Cheddar is named after Cheddar Gorge which is home to a number of caves in which the cheese used to be stored.

Adelard of Bath was a 12th-century Somerset scholar and English natural philosopher. He is known for translating a host of Arabic and Greek scientific works.

A little known fact about Somerset is that it is home to the oldest prison in the UK. Shepton Mallet Prison rests in the town of Shepton Mallet in Somerset, not far from Wells. The prison was first built all the way back in 1610.

Somerset Fascinating Facts - The highest hill in the Mendips, Black Down reaches 325 metres above the nearby Bristol Channel. The view from the top is astounding.

Fascinating Somerset facts The Kennet and Avon Cannel runs 140 KM through Bath, Somerset Linking the Bristol Channel and London. Completed in 1810, this canal was the culmination of 80 years’ work as the River Kennet and River Avon were joined by the canal.

Somerset's Fascinating Facts - Find out what two of the world's most famous authors, 'Dickens' & 'Jane Austen' said about this very important building with Bath's incredible heritage, which they visited in the days of fashionable society.