A parish church of Norman origin, the history of a former railway station and a monthly producers’ market show different sides of Hatch Beauchamp. There is also the grounds of Hatch Court, art at the CLOSE Gallery and a recreation area at the Village Hall. When planning a stay, it is worth distinguishing architectural heritage from activities with set dates: they follow different rhythms and have their own focuses.
Churches and architectural history
The Church of St John the Baptist is a parish church of Norman origin and is listed as a Grade I building. Its tower dates from around 1500; the porch is dated 1530. Remnants of medieval stained glass are preserved in the upper panels of the west window, which is set in the north wall of the north aisle. Its origins, later-dated structural elements and stained glass thus offer different historical points of interest in one building.
The Baptist Chapel complex in Hatch Beauchamp comprises a chapel dating from 1783, a manse from 1855 and classrooms from 1883. The sequence of dates therefore spans more than a century: the chapel, manse and classrooms were built in three different years. Unlike the tower and window details of the parish church, the focus here is on three different building functions.
The former Hatch Beauchamp Railway Station was built around 1865 for the Bristol and Exeter Railway Company. Its design was based on plans by Brunel. A cast-iron boundary marker from 1911 marks the former railway grounds at the site of the demolished station. The marker therefore refers to the former site, not to a station that still exists.
Hatch Court: grounds and elevation
The grounds of Hatch Court cover about 60 hectares: around 30 hectares are gardens and pleasure grounds, with a further 30 hectares of parkland. The areas are therefore roughly equal in size. Hatch Court stands on a ridge. The ground drops steeply to the north through Line Wood, while it slopes more gently to the east, west and south. These details describe both the layout of the grounds and the marked difference between the steep northern slope and the other sides.
Market, gallery and recreation
Hatch Beauchamp’s producers’ market and community café take place on the second Saturday of each month from 10 am to 12 noon. This is a clearly defined time for planning your trip; check it again before you travel. The market offers meat products, cakes, baked goods, preserves, fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as Somerset honey. Stallholders and offerings may vary, so you should not assume the selection will be the same every market day.
The CLOSE Gallery presents a programme featuring internationally recognised artists and emerging voices in the historic setting of Close House and its sculpture grounds. During exhibitions, the gallery is open Thursdays and Fridays from 11 am to 4 pm and Saturdays from 11 am to 3 pm. Visits outside exhibition times are possible by appointment. As opening hours are subject to change, it is advisable to check current visiting times in advance.
The recreation area at the Village Hall offers play equipment, a cricket ground, a tennis court, a multi-use games area, picnic spots and parking. The facilities listed therefore include opportunities for play, sport and picnicking, as well as parking. This is a different local focus from the architectural history of the churches or the gallery’s art programme.
The market and gallery have different visiting arrangements: the market takes place on a monthly Saturday, while the gallery’s opening hours depend on exhibitions and visits outside those times are possible by appointment. If you would like to include both in your trip, check their dates separately.
More destinations
Discover more destinations: Shepton Mallet, Brent Knoll, Puriton, Exford, Baltonsborough, Somerton, Queen Camel, Kingsbury Episcopi.
For the regional travel overview: Somerset.
