The beautiful little UK market town that looks like it hasn’t changed in 600 years
Walking around this historic gem of a town is like being transported back to medieval times.
This enchanting little town in the UK feels frozen in time and feels like it hasn't changed in 600 years. Axbridge, in Somerset, is blessed with some stunning examples of Tudor timber-framed properties combined with a historic church and narrow medieval-like streets.
Many of the properties still standing in the charming settlement are older than Christopher Columbus's 1492 voyage to America, but the roots of Axbridge go back even further connected to rich mineral deposits in the nearby Mendip Hills.
The Romans mined lead in the hills, and before they came prehistoric people took advantage of the geology to extract flint for tools and weapons.
Keeping with the Roman theme, a famous local resident was renowned comedian Frankie Howerd starred in the acclaimed BBC series Up Pompeii!.
SomersetLive reports Axbridge was granted a Royal Charter in 1202 when King John sold most of the royal manor of Cheddar to the Bishop of Bath and Wells.
The tiny town grew in the Tudor period as a centre for cloth manufacture, which was reflected in its early royal charters allowing it to hold markets and fairs and become a royal borough.
It had its own mint, with coins showing the town’s symbol, the lamb and flag, after which one of the pubs is named. The River Axe was navigable to wharves at Axbridge, facilitating world trade.
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Today visitors can enjoy seeing the rich history of the town brought to life in the Axbridge Museum and with a visit to the National Trust property, the stunning timber-framed King John's Hunting Lodge.
And those wanting a taste of local culture can enjoy the Blackberry Carnival held each September along with the famed Axbridge pageant, which happens only every 10 years. The next year it will be held will be 2030.
Although a town, Axbridge is home to only 2,000 people, making it the smallest town in south western England and one of the tiniest in the UK.