Somerset
Somerset [ sʌməsɪt ] ( historically also Somersetshire ) is a county in South West England. The capital is Taunton, it used to Somerton.
Somerset bordered to the northeast by Gloucestershire, Wiltshire to the east, in the southeast of Dorset and Devon in the southwest on. To the north is the coast of the Bristol Channel most of the border dar. In the county, there are two "Cities " ( with dome ), Bath and Wells, the latter one of the smallest in England. Other important places are Bridgwater, Glastonbury and Yeovil. Glastonbury is famous for its open-air rock festival, the Glastonbury festival known.
The landscape is mostly attractive and relatively untouched. Near the town of Cheddar is the Cheddar Gorge, the largest gorge in the United Kingdom. There are numerous apple orchards, which is why Somerset is now brought more than any other region in the production of strong cider in conjunction. In Somerset, in the small town of Shepton Mallet, England's oldest prison is located, which is still in use.
Major tourist attractions include the coastal towns of Exmoor National Park, the West Somerset Railway ( a heritage railway ), and the Naval Air Museum at the base in Yeovilton. The gardens and parks of the region are involved in the European Garden Heritage Network. Many historic buildings are made from or covered with the characteristic honey-colored Bath stone.
History
The natural northern border of the county was the River Avon; However, they emigrated due to the expansion of the city of Bristol gradually southward. 1974, a large part of northern Somerset County Avon was assigned. After Avon was disbanded, North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset returned from ceremonial grounds back to the county of Somerset; However, they are independent as unitary authorities.
In March 2013, the British energy minister Edward Davey issued the building permit for the construction of two new nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point nuclear power plant. The project operator, the French company EdF have not yet decided whether he really wanted to build.
Towns and villages
- Abbas Combe, Adsborough, Alcombe, Alhampton, Aller, Alford, Angersleigh, Ansford, Appley, Ash, Ash Priors, Ashbrittle, Ashcott, Ashill, Ashington, Ashwick, Athelney, Axbridge
- Bath, Bishops Lydeard, Blue Anchor, Brent Knoll, Bridgwater, Broomfield, Burnham- on-Sea, Burrowbridge
- Carhampton, Castle Cary, Chard, Cheddar, Chinnock, Crowcombe, Compton Dundon, Crewkerne
- Dean, Donniford, Drayton, Dunster, Dulverton
- Easton
- Fulford, Frome
- Glastonbury
- Henley, High Bridge, Horton, Hurst
- Ilchester, Ilminster
- Kingsbridge
- Laverton, Luxborough
- Maperton, Marston Magna, Maundown, Meare, Mells, Merriott, Minehead
- Nether Stowey, North Petherton
- Porlock, Portishead
- Shepton Mallet Shipham Somerton, Street
- Taunton
- Washford, Watchet, Wellington, Wells, Weston -super- Mare, Westonzoyland, Williton, Wincanton
- Yeovil
Attractions
- Bath Abbey
- Glastonbury Abbey
- Aveline 's Hole
- Bristol Channel
- Clifton Suspension Bridge - Isambard Kingdom Brunel 's bridge over the Avon Gorge, between Somerset and Bristol.
- Downside Abbey, Benedictine abbey with neo-Gothic Basilica
- Dunster Castle
- River Avon - Bath and Bristol.
- Glastonbury Abbey
- Glastonbury Tor
- Hestercombe Gardens
- Kennet and Avon Canal
- Mendip Hills
- Priddy Circles
- Roman Baths, Bath
- Somerset and Dorset Railway
- South Cadbury / Cadbury Castle - Camelot
- Taunton Stop Line - line of defense in World War II
- St. Andrew's Cathedral in Wells
- West Somerset Railway - railway museum
Sports
The racing team of Somerset rebel starts in the British Speedway Premier League.