Buckland Dinham offers several distinct historical themes to consider when planning a trip: a parish church with building phases ranging from its early construction to its restoration in the 19th century, an 18th-century bridge with an adjoining tower ruin, a chambered tomb and traces of a former coal mine. If you are wondering whether the village suits your interests, there is more here than just one main attraction. Architecture, archaeological heritage and industrial history can be explored in different ways.
The Parish Church of St Michael
The Church of St Michael is a parish church with a nave, chancel, south chapel and south porch dating from around 1200. The north chapel dates from 1325 and the west tower from 1480. The church was restored in the late 19th century. Its building history therefore cannot be reduced to a single date: the features listed here represent clearly distinct periods of construction. Its layout is also clearly arranged. The two chapels are on opposite sides, while the west tower forms the western end. Those interested in church architecture can consider both the arrangement of the building’s features and their sequence over time.
The Bridge and Wool Drying Tower
The bridge and the adjoining ruin of the Wool Drying Tower date from the 18th century. The bridge is defined by three semicircular rubble-stone arches, with two cutwaters on the upstream side. The tower has two storeys and no roof. Its walls are partly in ruins, especially on the south side. Here, a structured bridge and an open, partially ruined tower stand side by side. The three arches define the shape of the bridge, while the missing roof and the state of the walls define the character of the tower. Together, the two structures offer a different perspective on the village’s history from its church architecture.
Orchardleigh Stones and Buckland Brook
Orchardleigh Stones is a chambered tomb on the summit of Murtry Hill in the parish of Buckland Dinham and is designated as a Scheduled Monument. From the rise, the view extends across Buckland Brook. The chambered tomb survives as a long, irregular mound, approximately 38 metres long, 19 metres wide and up to 1.2 metres high. Its shape and setting distinguish it from the upright, more structured buildings: here, a low landform and its relationship to the river are central to the description. The approximate measurements indicate the scale of the mound without reducing its irregular shape to an exact rectangle.
A Tomb in the Churchyard
In the churchyard of the Church of St Michael stands the Chest Tomb to Thomas Heale Junior, a 17th-century tomb. It is made of dressed stone and features three shallow, semicircular head recesses. In comparison with the church, this tomb draws attention to individual design details: its material and recesses give it a different scale from the building, with its several chapels and construction phases. It adds a specific example of tomb design to the picture of the area’s historic architecture.
The Former Coal Mine and a Walking Route
Industrial history is also among Buckland Dinham’s themes. The chimney of the former coal mine stands on the site of a disused colliery. The associated mine was probably in operation only during the 1880s. This gives industrial history its own distinct, time-limited place alongside the ecclesiastical and archaeological monuments.
The Buckland Dinham & Great Elm walking route is another option to consider when planning your trip. It is approximately 4.5 miles long. The approximate distance gives you a guide for planning; as route details may change, check the latest information before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Mark, Tintinhull, Litton, Axbridge, Goathurst, Catcott, Kingsbury Episcopi, Brent Knoll.
For the broader travel overview: Somerset.
