Visitors who want to get to know Mells through its history will find several distinct points of interest: a memorial to the First World War, a Memorial Well that once served as a water supply, and a medieval village hall that is still in use today. There is also an archaeologically significant cave and the Walled Garden, which is partially accessible to visitors with mobility impairments. These places raise different questions about the village: How is the war remembered, which buildings still serve a purpose today, and which traces from the past predate the village’s history by a long way?
Memorials and Lutyens’ work
The Mells War Memorial is a Grade II* listed monument dating from 1921, in the aftermath of the First World War. It was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. The memorial thus combines a specific date with its role as a place of remembrance for the First World War.
The Mells Memorial Well is Grade II listed and dates from 1909. Its design is attributed to Lutyens; the carvings are by Eric Gill. The well was a gift to the village and served as a source of running water. It predates the War Memorial and links its history to a former practical function.
Mells Manor is also associated with Lutyens in Mells: he restored the manor after 1900. The three projects illustrate different roles: Lutyens designed the War Memorial, the design of the well is attributed to him, and he worked as a restorer at the manor. This comparison helps distinguish the individual details of the buildings’ history rather than grouping them together as a single type of work.
The Tithe Barn as a village hall
The Mells Tithe Barn offers a different perspective. The Grade II* listed building was constructed in the 14th or 15th century and is now used as a village hall. Its facilities are available for wedding receptions, club activities, meetings, presentations, dances and parties. The Tithe Barn thus brings together historic architecture and community use, setting it apart from the memorial sites and their respective histories. If you are considering holding an event, check the booking arrangements before you travel.
Archaeology and practical information
Lime Kiln Hill Quarry Cave adds an archaeological perspective to the historic buildings. It is particularly significant for its Middle Palaeolithic material, which is very rare on the Mendip. The cave is explicitly situated within Mells Parish. While the Tithe Barn combines a historic building with its current use as a village hall, the cave is notable for the rarity of its material.
For practical planning, the Walled Garden at Mells comes with a clearly qualified accessibility statement: it is partially accessible to visitors with mobility impairments. There is step-free access to the café from the Tythe Barn car park. This specific information relates to access to the café and is not a general statement about every area of the garden. If mobility is a factor for your visit, check the arrangements in advance. This will allow you to consider the garden’s partial accessibility and the café’s step-free access separately.
Discover more destinations: Hatch Beauchamp, Maundown, Stawley, Puriton, Horsington, Taunton, Martock, Rode.
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