Pictures of Wellington

About Wellington

This is the small town from which Arthur Wellesley, later to become Duke of Wellington, took his name. He had an estate in the area, but is thought to have been an infrequent visitor. Wellington celebrates its connection with the famous "Iron" Duke, with an obelisk on the hill above the town. From this high vantage point there are stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Historically, the town appears to have been mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086, but there is an earlier mention pre this date, possibly around 899 to 909 when the town was referred to as Weolingtun.

An important personage in Wellington was Sir John Popham (1533-1607) he was a Lord Chief Justice of England. He built a grand mansion in Wellington which was destroyed during the Civil War, playing fields now occupy the site where the house once stood. During his illustrious career, Sir John tried Mary, Queen of Scots, Guy Fawkes and Raleigh. A monument to Sir John can be found in Wellington Parish Church.

The town is situated in the shelter of the Blackdown Hills, close to the River Tone in what is a delightful rural area. It has several shops, some specialising in arts, crafts and antiques. An added bonus in the town is the regular monthly farmers market, this draws visitors from many of the smaller out-lying villages and hamlets.

Wellington has several cafe's, restaurants and pubs, some historic, certainly at least one dates back to the 17th century when it was horses not cars that clattered through this pleasant, friendly town which amongst its attractions boasts a park given to Wellington by the Fox family in 1903. With the assistance of the Heritage Lottery Fund, a grant has enabled this fine example of a Victorian landscape to be restored for the pleasure of the towns people and visitors.

Wellington lies close to the borders of Devon a short distance from Taunton, it can be reached via an exit of the M5 motorway and seems to be much used as a stopping place for tourists en-route for the coast. This is a pity for this charming little town is worth more than a second glance, it would make a pleasant place in which to spend a romantic weekend, or to use as a base for exploring the Somerset coast and the Exmoor National Park.