Located in the county of Somerset, and around 20 miles south of Bristol, is the town of Shepton Mallet.
Geographically, Shepton Mallet is situated adjacent to the Fosse Way - the ancient Roman road linking Exeter to Lincoln. Its name is derived from Old English 'scēp' and 'tūn', literally meaning 'sheep farm', whilst the 'Mallet' suffix comes from the Norman Malet family who were lords of the manor in the 12th century.
In 1318, during the reign of Edward II, a market charter was granted to Shepton Mallet. From the late 14th century, immigrants from France and the Low Countries escaping religious persecution settled here. They brought with them their skills in weaving. As a result, Shepton Mallet became revered for its cloth industry, alongside other towns in southwest England.
In 1500 the town's original market cross was built. In 1685 it became the site of the execution of 12 followers of the Duke of Monmouth, who were hanged, drawn and quartered here following their failed attempt to depose James II. In 1841 the market cross was rebuilt.
At the peak of Shepton Mallet's wool industry, during the 18th century, around 50 mills were in operation in and around the town, powered by the River Sheppey. The onset of the Industrial Revolution later that century would see the town's industry decline as it was unable to compete against the steam-powered mills emerging in the north of England. Shepton Mallet did, however, develop a brewing industry. The building at the start of the walk is the site of the Anglo-Bavarian Brewery, which opened in 1864, and is claimed to be the first lager brewery in the UK. After the Second World War, it was repurposed as a trading estate.
In 1858 a railway station opened in the town, followed by a second in 1874. Both succumbed to the Beeching closures of the 1960s - a controversial move to promote road transport by closing over 2,000 stations across Great Britain. Today, public transport to Shepton Mallet consists of direct buses from Bath, Wells, Glastonbury and various nearby towns and villages.
Famous people from Shepton Mallet include John Lewis - founder of his namesake department store.
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Filmed: 14th May 2023
Link to the walk on Google Maps: goo.gl/maps/rNRpb4aEGCXYz37PA
Filmed on a Sony FDR-AX700 with a Zhiyun Crane 2 and a Sony ECM-XYST1M Stereo Microphone.
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Commercial Road
3:23 High Street
8:58 Town Street