Pictures of Langport

About Langport

This old town cradled at the heart of the Somerset Levels, sits bounded by the soft rolling Somerset countryside. Here, in this old historic town which can trace its history back to the time of the Doomsday Book, you can wander down leafy lanes to see cattle grown fat from the rich water meadows of the River Parret on whose banks the town lies.

One of the beauties of the town is the Church of All Saints. This is thought to date from the 14th century, but it is known that a church or chapel was here in the year 1202. An early feature is the panel above the door to the south porch, this is Romanesque and considered to be 12th century or even earlier, one theory is that it may well be a relic from an earlier Saxon church. However, should you chance to visit the church the panel should not be missed, it is of Hamstone and shows finely carved detail, this indicates that it was probably by a noted craftsman of the period, rather than a local man. Other things to note are the elaborate windows, octagonal font, and the many memorials to noted Langport families.

The town shows a pleasant mixture of architecture from different periods, the properties in Bow Street and Cheapside being of particular interest. Other attractive building are St.Mary's Church and the noted Hanging Chapel - this is the gatehouse of the old town walls with a chapel above.

The arched bridge over the Parret is a pleasing place to tarry for a while to watch the life of the river and the odd canoe or two. Visitors can follow a trail along the River Parret, this is ideal for walkers, cyclists and for fishing. The trail also enables you to see some of the finest countryside in Somerset, for the Somerset Levels and Moors is a terrific area for exploring natural wetlands covering thousands of acres.

There is a good choice of hotels, inns and restaurants for those who wish to stay to explore the area more fully. You can also find attractive retail outlets including specialist shops, such as crafts and pottery. There is an excellent gardening centre renowned for its peonies, and at Bow Bridge visitors will find the Langport and River Parret Visitors Centre where you will uncover a mine of information about Langport.