Somerset is renowned for its churches, many built on the wealth of the wool industry in this area in the Middle Ages. Bath, Glastonbury and Wells were powerful ecclesiastical centres in this period, but there are many fascinating and beautiful churches to be found throughout the countys towns and villages, whether small and humble, grand or unusual. The churches are to be found in a wide variety of landscapes, from the Mendip and Quantock hills, Exmoor, the Bristol Channel coastline and the edge of Bristol, to the flat marshy areas of the Levels and agricultural river valleys. The distinctive Somerset church towers can be seen throughout the county and often a wealth of mediaeval carving welcomes the visitor. Later buildings from the Georgian and Victorian era show the changing identity of areas where industry developed and population grew into todays many faces of Somerset.
In Churches of Somerset, author Phil Draper explores a cross-section of historical churches throughout the county, both the well known and those waiting to be discovered by a wider audience. This fascinating picture of an important part of the history of Somerset over the centuries will be of interest to all those who live in or are visiting this splendid county in England.
