Carhampton — Somerset, England
Carhampton is a village and a parish in Somerset; the parish borders the British Channel and moves inland to Exmoor. The village of Carhampton is located at the northeast edge of Exmoor National Park just to the east of Minehead.
Carhampton may have been the centre for a Saxon royal estate used for visits, with royal court being held to collect local estate taxes. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles refer to a bloody battle at Carhampton involving Danes with crews from 35 ships. Viking raids are only part of Carhampton history; there is evidence that this area is rife in pre-history dating back to early settlements from 5,000-8,000 BC. Bat's Castle hillfort is one example of an ancient site near Carhampton; and excavation just east of the village suggests early Christian settlement. Within and around Carhampton, one can find significant history and archaeological data for many ages. For information concerning past and present excavations, contact Exmoor National Park.
For legend enthusiasts, there is King Arthur who is associated with Saint Carantoc who is credited with taming (or slaying) a serpent terrorising the people of the village. For this worthy deed, Arthur allowed Carantoc to build a monastery in the village. Many believe that Carhampton is named after this Welsh Saint, however there is also the Old English derivation which roughly means: beloved grassland in a village by a river meadow.
From pre-Norman time to the Reformation, records indicate there may have been two churches in Carhampton at that time. An early church and graveyard dedicated to St. Caratoc, the Welsh missionary was located to the east of the present church. The Church of St. John the Baptist which exists today is dedicated to its namesake and was probably erected sometime during the late 1200's; with Thomas recorded as the first priest in 1297. The red sandstone church that stands today was built in the fifteenth century, restored during 1862-1863; with the tower being redone five to ten years later, when a vestry was added. No Saxon work is evident in the building today. It is a Grade I listed building in the perpendicular style, and has an exquisite painted screen dating from late 15th to early 16th century.
With all of the abounding history, Carhampton is most well known for its wassailing celebration which takes place in January at the orchard of the Butchers Arms Pub, and is preceded by a small event in the Community Orchard in the center of the village. Although wassailing is an ancient celebration, it was the Taunton Cider Company that began the Carhampton event in the 1930's. The event of Wassailing is a festivity where a good deal of drinking occurs, as people drink to good health, not only for each other but for the apple trees, crops and animals. Tradition includes shooting guns overhead in the orchard, to scare away the evil spirits and to ensure a good harvest during the coming year. There is also a bonfire and the singing of the Carhampton wassail song. Wassailing is a word that comes from the Old English which leads us to believe that the event predates the Norman Conquest in 1066, and may in fact be an Anglo-Saxon pagan harvest celebration.
Whether you come just for the wassailing, the excavations, or the history there is more to explore than can be seen in just one day. The landscape is lovely, the trails are rich in spectacular scenic views and Exmoor National Park is a doorway to the past.
Where is Carhampton?Carhampton is located in Somerset along the A39 road between Dunster and Washford. The nearest populated areas include Dunster and Minehead to the north west.
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