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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Pictures of East Coker

in the county of Somerset

About East Coker

East Coker is a charming little village, set in open countryside, just outside the town of Yeovil. It is an ancient place that has connections with Queen Elizabeth Ist and is full of elegant properties, nearly all of which are built from local stone.

Time seems to have almost passed this attractive village by, and it is therefore not surprising to learn that many of the families, mentioned in the Church records of of the 16th-century, have descendents living in the village today. This could be one of the reasons why this village has such a 'well cared for' air about it. Lands and properties have proudly passed down through a family for centuries. This was the family home of the poet T.S. Eliot, whose forefathers lived here. His ashes are buried in the church.

Archdeacon Helyar, was the owner of Coker Court, he had been Chaplain to Queen Elizabeth Ist and had wed one of her cousins. It is he who built the graceful Helyar Almshouses in the year 1640. These are 'showpiece' buildings, with small windows and tall chimney's. The Archdeacon bought Coker Court from the Phelips family who made their home at Montecute House.

This is a lovely village that is best enjoyed by leaving your car and taking a gentle stroll. It is but one of a host of picturesque villages that are spread throughout this lovely part of Somerset.

Recommended towns & villages near East Coker

Hardy's Dorset

Melbury Osmond (3 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Dorset

(3.6 miles, 5.8 km, direction SE of East Coker)

A long, winding lane, flanked by grassy banks covered in fern and wild flowers, leads to the picture postcard village of Melbury Osmond..

The Parish Church at Martock, Somerset

Martock (22 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset

(6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction NW of East Coker)

The interior of Martock's Ham-stone church is perhaps the grandest in all Somerset, the startling effect of the golden stone against the most lavishly decorated of the county's great tie-beam roofs is simply overwhelming...

Sherborne, Dorset.

Sherborne (111 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of Dorset

(6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction NE of East Coker)

The softly glowing Ham stone of which most of the town properties are built, lends warmth and atmosphere to what is already a unique and attractive place...

Minterne Magna

Minterne Magna (22 Pictures) in the county of Dorset

(8.8 miles, 14.2 km, direction SE of East Coker)

..

The Sydling Valley, Dorset

Sydling St Nicholas (22 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Dorset

(10.0 miles, 16.0 km, direction SE of East Coker)

This is a particularly scenic village lying deep in a chalk-stream valley between open downs. Every approach to it is beautiful, whether crossing the hills from Cerne Abbas or Maiden Newton, or coming up the waters of the River Cerne between meadows flooded with spring lambs and ponies...

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Nearby attractions..

Montacute House

Montacute House (68 Pictures)

(3.9 miles, 6.3 km, direction NW)

This is one of the most glittering of all the great Elizabethan mansions in England. It is built of glowing honey-coloured Ham.....

Sherborne Abbey at night

Sherborne Abbey (7 Pictures)

(6.7 miles, 10.8 km, direction E)

Without doubt this magnificent Abbey built centuries ago of creamy Ham stone ranks amongst the finest Abbey churches anywhere in.....

Sherborne Old Castle

Sherborne Castle (80 Pictures)

(7.0 miles, 11.2 km, direction E)

Many fascinating tales remain from the time when Sherborne Castle was lived in by Sir Walter Raleigh, a favourite of Elizabeth I......

Fleet Air Arm Museum, Somerset

Fleet Air Arm Museum (3 Pictures)

(7.4 miles, 12.0 km, direction N)

The Fleet Air Arm Museum houses Europe's largest Naval aviation collection. Go on-board Concorde and be transported by a.....

Lytes Cary Manor, June 2009

Lytes Cary Manor (42 Pictures)

(8.8 miles, 14.2 km, direction N)

Intimate manor house with Arts & Crafts-style garden. Tudor great hall and 14th-century chapel, this was home to medieval.....

Barrington Court, Somerset

Barrington Court (49 Pictures)

(9.8 miles, 15.8 km, direction W)

Barrington Court is an attractive 16th-century house built in the engaging "E" shaped style of the period in mellow Ham Hill.....

Cerne Giant in Cerne Abbas, Dorset.

Cerne Abbas Giant (2 Pictures)

(10.3 miles, 16.5 km, direction SE)

This magnificent figure cut into the turf of a chalk hillside is best viewed from the north of the village. He is known as "The.....


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