Midsomer Norton was originally called Midsummer Norton. This was said to have been because it was only accessible at midsummer, because of frequent flooding during the rest of the year. This may or may not be true, but the name was certainly changed to Midsomer Norton in the early 20th century. This was entirely appropriate as the town is located on the River Somer.
Neither this town nor its near neighbour, Radstock, is mentioned in the Domesday Book, but the area is believed to have been settled since the Iron Age. Both towns were, at one time, associated with coal mining. The whole area has a rich industrial heritage due to its past as an important coalfield. Many of the nearby villages, such as Camerton and Paulton, once had their own collieries. The terraced miner’s cottages and grassed over spoil heaps can still be seen throughout the area.
Midsomer Norton town centre has some interesting historic buildings. These include the Old Priory Hotel which is now home to the Michelin-starred Moody Goose restaurant. A 15th century tithe barn is now the Catholic Church. The river flows through the town centre, providing a picturesque setting for a variety of local shops. There is an annual Mardi Gras Festival and a monthly Farmers’ Market here and the Midsomer Norton Guy Fawkes Carnival is held in early November.
The nearby Midsomer Valleys nestle between the lovely old city of Bath and the Mendip Hills. These villages and valleys boast a few fictional links, particularly to some well-loved nursery rhymes. Jack and Jill are believed to have fallen down a hill in the pretty village of Kilmersdon. In 1999 a medieval well shaft was discovered and is now marked with a plaque – perhaps this is the well down which the pussy fell in “Ding, Dong, and Bell”.
Not too far away, the village of Mells is where “Little Jack Horner” was said to have been the steward to the Bishop of Glastonbury during the reign of Henry VIII. This is a particularly picturesque village, dotted with thatched cottages. The 15th century Talbot Inn is of interest to the visitor. Each spring the village holds a Daffodil Weekend.
Holcombe is a village which lost most its inhabitants to the Black Death in 1348. The survivors founded the present day village up the hill. This is the village most associated with “Ring O Ring O Roses”, a rhyme said to describe the effects of the plague. The father of Scott of the Antarctic is buried in the old churchyard of this village.