Places to see in ( Highbridge - UK )
Places to see in ( Highbridge - UK )
Highbridge is a small market town situated on the edge of the Somerset Levels near the mouth of the River Brue. It is in the County of Somerset, and is approximately 20 miles north east of Taunton, the county town of Somerset. being situated approximately 7 miles (11.3 km) north of Bridgwater, the district's administrative centre. Highbridge closely neighbours Burnham-on-Sea, forming part of the combined parish of Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge and shares a town council with the resort town. In the 2001 census the population was 5,986. In the 2011 census the population of the town was included in the ward of Highbridge and Burnham Marine, which totalled 7,555.
There is archaeological evidence of occupation around the Highbridge area at least as far back as the Roman period. A bridged crossing over the River Brue at this location has existed since the 14th century and it has always been an important crossing on the route from Bristol to the South West. The town that sprung up around this crossing takes it name from the bridge. An older name for the local manor was Huish a contraction of the phrase Huish jaxta altum pontem (next to a high bridge). There are historical references to a wharf at this site and to usage of the river as part of the drainage plan for the Somerset Levels by the Monks of Glastonbury.
Highbridge grew in importance as a regional market and industrial town during the latter half of the 19th century and the early part of the 20th century. Important employers included the livestock and cheese market, Highbridge Wharf, Buncombe's Steamrollers, and the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway rail works, which closed in 1930 with the loss of 400 jobs. Heavy industry and transport declined in Highbridge after the Second World War as the Wharf proved too small for the newer generation of ships, with the last cargo of timber arriving in 1948 and the wharf was closed to shipping the following year, and commercial freight moved away from the railways. Since the 1970s close proximity to the M5 motorway has driven a growth in light industry and in the town's commuter population.
Highbridge was historically a hamlet and chapelry in the large ancient parish of Burnham. It briefly became a separate civil parish in 1894, but in 1896 the civil parish was abolished and divided between the new civil parishes of North Highbridge and Burnham Without. The town had by then expanded south of the River Brue into the parish of Huntspill, and in 1896 the new parish of South Highbridge was carved out of Huntspill parish. North Highbridge and South Highbridge together formed the Highbrige Urban District. The 1931 census listed a population of 2,585. In 1933 the Urban District was abolished and merged into Burnham-on-Sea Urban District. In the 1974 local government reforms, this became a civil parish within the new District of Sedgemoor. The civil parish is now known as Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge, with a single town council.
Highbridge was originally the seaward terminus of the Glastonbury Canal and the Somerset Central Railway. The Canal was established first and was designed to improve drainage along the River Brue. It was also designed to create a trade link between Glastonbury and the sea. A new straight channel, with a clyce (the local name for a sluice), which runs from the present day tidal gates to the location of the current station, was cut in 1801 and the original course of the river was as the site for of Highbridge Wharf. The Canal opened in 1833 and while initially successful it later suffered from financial and engineering problems. Only the 1801 clyce remains of the Glastonbury Canal at Highbridge.
Highbridge town centre clusters around the crossroads formed by Church Street and Market Street. At their meeting point is a roundabout which marks the location of the town's original three-faced town clock. A modern concrete replacement clock, also with three faces and topped with the town's coat of arms stood in nearby Jubilee Gardens until its replacement with a more traditional four-faced clock in 2012.
( Highbridge - UK ) is well know as a tourist destination because of the variety of places you can enjoy while you are visiting Highbridge . Through a series of videos we will try to show you recommended places to visit in Highbridge - UK
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Climbing Brent Knoll, Somerset, UK
Climbing Brent Knoll, Somerset, UK
Scotsman Basks in the Somerset Sunshine. 60103 Flying Scotsman, The Cathedrals Express 26th May 2017
The afternoon Steam Dreams circular tour from Bishops Lydeard on the West Somerset Railway via Bridgewater, Bristol and Westbury took place in the most gorgeous sunny conditions coupled with excellent visibility, giving the opportunity to film from some distant vantage points. With no challenging climbs and exhaust effects minimised by temperatures of up to 27 deg C, this was always going to be a relaxed affair and so it proved with 60103 cruising for most of the way and for the most part 10 minutes down on schedule. So sit back, relax and watch this national icon of steam augment the most wonderful Somerset countryside in its best May-time attire. The first camera location is the north-west end of Brent Knoll near the reservoir where we get spectacular views over Bridgewater Bay to the west and the South Wales coast in the distance to the north. Picking out Crooked Lane overbridge, we see the crowds gathering around the second camera to watch Scotsman race under with her distinctive motion clatter then back to the hillside for the long shot as she cruises away towards Weston Super Mare. The second location is in the middle of the Somerset Levels above Aller Moor on Oath Hill. Still 10 minutes down and seemingly in no real hurry to catch-up 60103 sails past and into the distance towards Taunton and the WSR.
A Video: Burnham On Sea SOMERSET
BURHAM BEACH setting up TRAMPOLINESBurnham-on-Sea is a town in Somerset, England, at the mouth of the River Parrett and Bridgwater Bay. The town is now a popular seaside resort, and is home to the shortest pier in Britain. Burnham remained a small village until the late 18th century. It forms part of the parish of Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge. According to the 2001 census the population of the parish was 18,401 [1]
Burnham-on-Sea is notable for its beach and mudflats, the danger they pose to individuals and shipping, and the efforts locals have gone to to defend their town and to prevent loss of life. The Bristol Channel has the second highest tidal range in the world. The extensive mud flats at Burnham are characteristic of Bridgwater Bay and the rest of the Bristol Channel where the tide can recede for over 1.5 miles (2.4 km). Over the years a string of people have died when they became trapped in mud and were over come by the rapidly rising waters. One of the earliest recorded historical incidents to affect the town was the Bristol Channel floods of 1607. Today the town is defended from flooding by a massive curved concrete wall that runs along the Esplanade.
The town's signature collection of lighthouses, including the Round Tower lighthouse of 1829, the Pillar Lighthouse[2] and the Lighthouse on legs.[3]
The official animal of Burnham-on-Sea is the Tree Frog. This is linked to nearby tree-covered Brent Knoll which was once known as the Isle of Frogs. [4]
A local charity, Burnham-on-Sea Area Rescue Boat (BARB), was set up in 1992 to fund and operate rescue craft in the Bridgwater Bay area. BARB's boat house on the sea front was built in 1994 by the Challenge Anneka TV show. In 2002 a five-year-old girl from Worcester called Lelaina Hall died on the mud flats before help could reach her. The outcry over her death prompted a Western Daily Press campaign to fund an inshore hovercraft. [5] BARB currently operates the Spirit of Lelaina alongside her sister hovercraft the Light of Elizabeth (named after Lelaina's sister). [6]
The parish church, St. Andrew's, is a grade I listed building dating from the 14th century.
In the south west corner of Burnham-on-Sea, north of the River Brue, is Apex Leisure and Wildlife Park. Covering over 42 acres, the park has been created from excavated clay pits; these were flooded, and the lakes are now home to many types of wildlife and leisure activities.
The town is part of the West Country Carnival circuit.
[edit] See also
Bristol Channel floods, 1607
[edit] References
^ Neighbourhood statistics for Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge CP (Parish). National Statistics. Retrieved on 2007-05-24.
^ Burnham High Lighthouse. Images of England. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
^ Burnham Low Lighthouse. Images of England. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
^ Brent Knoll (Sacred sites around Glastonbury). Isle of Avalon. Retrieved on 2007-01-04.
^ Burnham Rescue Hovercraft. Retrieved on 2007-01-04.
^ Resort gets new rescue hovercraft. BBC News. Retrieved on 2007-01-04.
[edit] External links
Burnham-On-Sea Town Website
Burnham-On-Sea Webcam
BBC Somerset
The Somerset Urban Archaeological Survey: Burnham and Highbridge, by Clare Gathercole
Retrieved from
Categories: Towns in Somerset | Sedgemoor | Seaside resorts in England | West Country Carnival
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Ilfracombe - Combe Martin Coastal Journey on Extreme Low Tides Part 2
Enjoy this coastal journey between Ilfracombe & Combe Martin (Wild Pear) along this beautiful but dangerous coastline with its huge tidal range, the second largest in the world which hides plenty of surprises.
Queen Elizabeth II 90th Birthday, Lighting Shefford Beacon, Bedfordshire UK
Lighting Shefford's beacon to celebrate 90th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 21st April 2016. This beacon was on the fire training tower at Shefford Fire Station, Bedfordshire, UK. My thanks to the organisers.
©2016
Technical Details:
Camera: Canon G16
Mode: 1080p 60fps
Editor: Serif MoviePlus X6 on 64-bit Windows 10 Pro
Middle Beach Studland Dorset England June 2012
Filmed from the Middle beach car park on a quiet summer evening during the Euro 2012 football coverage ...beach was deserted ! England were playing .Few boats and yachts moored in the shelter of the bay off South Beach.