Stoke-sub-Hamdon can be explored through two themes: historic places in the village and Ham Hill nearby. When planning, you can choose whether to focus on local history or a landscape featuring Iron Age archaeology, geology and wildlife watching. Practical conditions also matter when planning a visit: advance booking is required for the Priory; at the Country Park, works or events may restrict access to individual paths and areas.

Ham Hill: Landscape and the Iron Age

Ham Hill is a nationally important historic monument and one of the largest Iron Age hillforts in the United Kingdom. The area includes an 88.1-hectare Scheduled Ancient Monument, wildflower meadows, impressive wildlife, geology and significant archaeological remains of Iron Age ramparts. This combination offers scope for a range of activities: you can hike, run, walk dogs, play or watch wildlife there. Ham Hill also has an accessible path that is easy to use, from which you can enjoy the landscape.

For a focus on geology, there is a suggested circular walk that starts and ends at the Ham Hill Centre. Guides to the geology trail are available there; check their availability on site. Another landmark is Stoke-sub-Hamdon’s war memorial: it stands on Ham Hill, overlooking the village, and is visible from far away.

Visitor Centre and Local History

The Ham Hill Visitor Centre is in Stoke-sub-Hamdon. Its exhibition rooms explore Ham Hill’s past and its vision for the future. The centre includes the Limekiln Café, which serves refreshments and welcomes dogs. Check whether the café is currently open before your visit. A gallery features changing exhibitions of local art and crafts; the programme may change. The centre also has a shop area with local products and gifts. It also has a fully accessible Changing Places facility and modern toilets. Check in advance whether these facilities are currently available.

The Fives Wall tells a story of its own. It was built towards the end of the 18th century, after the Bishop of Bath and Wells banned the game of fives from church towers. In this game, the player threw a ball by hand against a wall while standing on a stone ledge. The wall and the game therefore belong to a different historical theme from the Iron Age structures on Ham Hill.

Planning Your Visit

Stoke-sub-Hamdon Priory also offers a specific historic visit. The grounds and dovecote are open to visitors; check the opening times. You must book in advance, including if you are a National Trust member. Members enter free of charge, but still need to book. Check the latest opening times and conditions before your visit.

Ham Hill Country Park is accessible on most days of the year. Ranger work or events may restrict access to individual paths or areas; check the latest visitor information in advance. Six public car parks are all accessible from Ham Hill Road (TA14 6RW). Check the latest parking information before setting off, too.

South West Coaches operates a bus service that stops in the centre of Stoke-sub-Hamdon. From there, Ham Hill is reached via the steep Ham Hill Road. As bus information can change, check the latest service details before travelling. This makes it possible to plan village visits and a trip up the hill separately, while taking account of the conditions that apply to each visit.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Litton, Milverton, East Brent, Brompton Regis, Puriton, Fitzhead, Milborne Port, Kilve

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