Wedmore is beautifully sited north of the Somerset Levels and south of the Mendip Hills, halfway between Wells and Burnham-on-Sea.

The village grew around a Saxon square. The stone cottages still echo the plan of the original village, which dates to the 1100's when it was a market centre for the surrounding agricultural area. The 14th century market cross stands as a testimony to the times.

Luckily for us today, the conservation village survives virtually intact. Stone buildings, some whitewashed, lie scattered among the trees. Much of the architecture relates to Georgian times, the Post Office is a case in point, and earlier. The Old Vicarage dates to the year of Christopher Columbus' discovery of America.  Of a later date, probably the 16th century, the George Hotel is a former coaching inn. The Italinate chemist shop on Church St. was once a Victorian department store, a "one stop" shopping spot for Somerset inhabitants. The village of Wedmore still attracts shoppers, tourists and locals alike.

This area is one of the best places in the country for birdwatching. The peat moors are a rich source of food for the birds. Limestone caverns dot the surrounding landscape, as do nature reserves. Old farmsteads sit amidst the rolling green hills. Today cheese, livestock, fruit growing, limestone mining and tourism help support the economy of the area.

Once, this area was the hunting ground for prehistoric man, Iron Age remains have been found in the area along with a number of Roman sites of the 1st century AD.

In the 7th century the area belonged to the Saxon kings of Wessex, the name Wedmore derives from the Saxon term meaning "hunting moor". King Alfred favoured the area with a royal estate. The site of the manor house, adjoining the church, may be the site of his royal house.

In 878 AD, after winning a battle against the Danes, he brought the Danish leader, Guthrum, and 30 of his followers to his estate at Wedmore for 12 days of feasting and ceremonies.

The Danish leader was christened and a peace treaty was signed, allowing King Alfred to unite his kingdom. This Treaty of Wedmore divided England from London to the Mersey. South of the line English custom and law ruled, while north and east, Scandinavian laws and customs were followed, the Danelaw.

The medieval stone church, St. Mary's, standing tall in the village, is thought to be on the site where the treaty signing took place. Like all churches of the times, it is set in a graveyard. Built in the late 1400's, traces remain of a 1200 church, and decorated work dates to possibly the 1300's. A wall painting, circa 1500, of St. Christopher is a special treasure.

In medieval times both the Bishop of Bath and Wells and the Dean of Wells Cathedral oversaw Wedmore parish, which consisted of 3 villages, Wedmore, Blackford and Theale, and 14 hamlets. On a ridge of land rising out of the Levels, between the rivers Axe and Brue, the historic village of Wedmore still reminds us, today, of its ancient past.

The range of hills known as the Mendip Hills has been officially classed as an area of outstanding natural beauty.  Situated in Somerset, they are primarily limestone with many caves including the famous Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole.  Some of the caves show signs of prehistoric habitation.  Apart from these caves and hills, the region also includes the marshy lowland of the Somerset Levels and the nearby towns and villages of Glastonbury, Wells, Charterhouse and Frome.  There are also ruins of Roman lead mines, and a Roman road. 

Ebbor Gorge Nature Reserve is owned by the National Trust.  There is evidence of inhabitation in this lovely wooded valley dating back to Neolithic times (about 3000 BC).  Bones, tools, cooking utensils and ornaments have been found in caves throughout the gorge.  There is a nature trail through the gorge, which features some outstanding views over the Somerset Levels.

The City of Wells houses one of the most beautiful cathedrals in England, but it still has all the charm of a village.  The cathedral is one of the architectural highlights of Britain, replete with magnificent Gothic carvings, a unique scissors vault to brace the building against shifting medieval foundations, and a marvellous chapter house.  It also houses a wonderful clock, with mechanical knights who exchange blows every hour.  Around the corner from the Cathedral is Vicar's Close, the oldest street of 14th century houses in Europe.  This was once the home of the vicars of the cathedral, who were housed there by the bishop to stop their scandalous behaviour including womanizing, fighting and stealing.  The Bishop's Palace is also well worth a visit, nestled beside the cathedral.  It is still the official residence of the Bishop of Bath and Wells.  The swans of the moat there are an unusual attraction.  They were and still are trained to ring a bell hanging from the gatehouse at feeding time.  

The town of Glastonbury is dominated by the enigmatic Glastonbury Tor (an old West Country  word for hill), topped with a 14th century tower which draws the eye from anywhere on the surrounding Somerset Levels.  Legend has it that the Holy Grail is buried inside the Tor. The Tor can be climbed for wonderful views, though it can be windy on top.  At the foot of the Tor is Chalice Well, sleeping in a peaceful garden. The well is another of the reputed hiding places of the Holy Grail.

In the centre of Glastonbury is Glastonbury Abbey, at one time one of the richest abbeys in England.  During the Middle Ages Glastonbury was one of the premier pilgrimage destinations in Britain, due to the ancient legends associating it with Jesus, the Holy Grail, and King Arthur.   

The Somerset Levels are lovely, low farmlands split by long irrigation canals and the meandering River Brue. They make for a good day out on a bicycle, or a pleasant walk.  The Mendip District Council distributes a series of great Rural Walk Leaflets, available at tourist Info Centres throughout the district.