High Ham
| High Ham | |
| Somerset | |
|---|---|
 Church of St Andrew, High Ham | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | ST425310 |
| Location: | 51°4’35"N, 2°49’13"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 909 (2011) |
| Post town: | Langport |
| Postcode: | TA10 |
| Dialling code: | 01458 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Somerset Council |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Glastonbury and Somerton |
High Ham is a village in Somerset, in the county's Whitley Hundred.
The wider parish includes High Ham itself and Low Ham and such hamlets as Bowdens, Henley, Paradise and Picts Hill.
About the village
Within the parish of High Ham, there have been two Roman villas discovered: Low Ham Roman Villa and another in High Ham.
Eastfield, Sedgemoor Hill is a grassland with orchids and butterflies which has been designated as a local nature reserve.
Stembridge Tower Mill is the only remaining thatched windmill in Britain, and is under the care of the National Trust. Built in 1822 it was damaged by storms and left running via steam by 1897/8 and last used commercially in 1910. In 1969 Professor H. H. Bellot left the windmill, cottage and garden to the National Trust in his will. The mill has four floors, a thatched cap and is constructed of local limestone known as Blue Lias.[1]
Churches
The parish church of High Ham, St Andrew, is mediæval. There is documentary evidence for a church in High Ham in 1168 although the current buildings are later in date. The tower of St Andrew's dates from the early 14th century, the nave from 1476 and chancel from 1499.[1] It is a Grade I listed building.[2]
There is also a church without dedication, known as the Church in the Field, which was formerly private chapel to the manor. It stands on the site of an earlier church, and was started in the early 17th century, damaged in the Civil War, and completed in 1690.[3]
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about High Ham) |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 A History of the County of Somerset - Volume 8 pp 70-91: High Ham (Victoria County History)
- ↑ National Heritage List 1227591: Church of St Andrew (Grade I listing)
- ↑ National Heritage List 1346080: Church in the Field (Grade I listing)