Wedmore can be explored through a variety of themes: the building history of the Church of St Mary, the market tradition at the Wedmore village cross, a windmill nearby, and routes between wetlands and higher-lying countryside. There is also the area’s long history of human use and an annual beer festival held in September. When planning, you can give different weight to culture, walks and an event date, rather than making them into a rigid day-by-day itinerary.

Church and Market History

The Church of St Mary is predominantly a 15th-century building, with surviving elements from the 12th and 13th centuries. An octagonal 14th-century font reflects these different building phases. Visitor guides for adults and children are also available. The same building thus brings together details from several centuries, while the guides offer visitors additional orientation.

The Wedmore village cross has retained its shaft and head. Historically, it was the official site for the village’s fairs and markets. The village’s character therefore extends beyond ecclesiastical architecture: the cross points to its former market tradition.

The Wedmore area has been used since at least the Neolithic period. Another historical account concerns the royal estate of Wedmore: an agreement was made there during a feast, and has since been known as the “Peace of Wedmore.” The historical perspective therefore reaches from the area’s early use to this account of the estate.

Ashton Windmill: History and Opening Hours

Nearby is Ashton Windmill, an 18th-century grain mill on the Isle of Wedmore ridge. The site is documented as the location of a windmill as early as 1317. Ashton Windmill was last in operation in 1927 and was subsequently carefully restored.

The mill is usually open on Sundays and public holidays from Easter Sunday to the end of September, and on Wednesdays as well in July and August. Opening hours are 2:30–4:30 pm. Check the hours before travelling, as they may change.

Countryside and Circular Walks

Wedmore lies in a sheltered hollow on the north-eastern slope of a ridge. The “Marshes & Mendips” circular walk connects the Westhay Moor nature reserve with the higher-lying parts of the Isle of Wedmore. The “Wedmore, wetlands and Sand” circular walk starts at St Mary's Church on Church Street. The route details therefore differ in specific ways: one connects two landscape areas, while the other has a named starting point on Church Street. Check the trail conditions before setting out, as they may change.

The Real Ale Festival in September

The Wedmore Real Ale Festival takes place every year in September and has been held in Wedmore since 2001. It features real ale and craft beer from breweries across the United Kingdom. Programme details may vary from year to year, so check the current event dates before travelling.

Two different calendar notes are useful when choosing when to visit: the windmill’s usual opening days run from Easter Sunday to the end of September, while the festival takes place annually in September. If you plan to visit with both in mind, check both the opening hours and the specific event dates.

Discover more destinations: Tolland, Highbridge, Stawley, Hornblotton, Milverton, Brompton Regis, Martock, Lydford

For the wider travel overview: Somerset.