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Weston Road, a country road in Wincanton, Somerset, heading towards Buckhorn: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wincanton_to_Buckhorn_Weston_Road_-_geograph.org.uk_-_327610.jpgAuthor: Dave Lowther
Wincanton is a small town of just around 5,000 people (2012 estimate) in South Somerset, England. Geographically, it is on the eastern part of the shire county, close to the borders of Dorset and Wiltshire.
Human presence in the Wincanton area dates back to the Bronze Age, based on the existence of a burial site of the Beaker culture, which is between 2400 BC to 1800 BC. The area was a battle site between early Britons, Danes and Saxons.
The Domesday Book of 1086 listed Wincanton as Wincaleton. The Normans built Cockroad Wood Castle shortly after conquest of England in 1066. They also built Ballands Castle in nearby Penselwood. These are motte-and-bailey castles.
Today, as it always has been, Wincanton is a small, rather uneventful town. It has a factory making milk powder. In recent years, the town has received an influx of foreign workers, mainly from Portugal and Poland.
Church of St Peter and St Paul, Wincanton: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wincanton_church.jpgAuthor: Chris Downer
Visiting Wincanton
Wincanton is a great distance from the motorway network. Coming from London, I suggest you take the M4 motorway to Junction 17, then head south on the A350 road, passing small towns including Chippenham, Melkham, Westbury and Warminster. At the intersection with the A303 road, turn right and head west on the A303 until you arrive at Wincanton. Alternatively, take the M3 motorway from London to Junction 8, then continue west on the A303 until arriving in Wincanton.Places of Interest in Wincanton
- Church of St Peter and St Paul: Anglican church dating to the 18th century.
- The Dogs: Historic house where William of Orange slept in 1688. It is now designated a Grade I listed heritage building.
- Wincanton Museum: Local museum housed in a late 18th century cottage that is also a Grade II listed heritage building. It displays a modest collection of artifacts, documents and photographs related to the town's history.
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