Kilmersdon

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Kilmersdon
population = 536 [cite web | title= Mendip Parish Population Estimates 2002 | work=Somerset County Council | url=http://www.somerset.gov.uk/media/030F1/mendip_02mye.pdf | accessdate=2006-11-25]
os_grid_reference = ST695525
latitude= 51.2712
longitude= -2.4378
shire_district= Mendip
shire_county = Somerset
region= South West England
post_town = Bath
postcode_district = BA3
postcode_area=BA
dial_code =
constituency_westminster = Wansdyke to be North East Somerset from next general election.

Kilmersdon is a small village located in North Somerset between the towns of Radstock and Frome. The settlement is recorded in William I's Domesday book and dates back at least 1000 years; though the core of the village dates from the mid nineteenth century. The name Kilmersdon means 'Cynemaer's Hill'. [http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/english/ins/epntest/php/detailpop.php?placeno=8001 "Place names in the UK" Retrieved 2007-09-23 ]

The area has the remains of many disused coal mines which were part of the Somerset coalfield. Access to coal mining beneath Kilmersdon was through a network of tunnels from an entrance at Haydon - a nearby hamlet. Because of this visual evidence of mining is sparse; although in the past some buildings have collapsed due to subsidence and others have evidence of movement -including the church. It is just off the route of NCR 24 the colliers way.

Kilmersdon is said to be the "home" of the Jack and Jill nursery rhyme; the fabled hill being recently restored as part of a local Millennium scheme. Immediately adjacent to the newly restored well is Kilmersdon Primary School, which was established (though not in the current building) in 1707. Other local amenities include Norton Garden Machinery (formerly a petrol station and garage) and The Joliffe Arms - named after the Joliffe family, whose estate is responsible for building much of Kilmersdon. The local post-office closed in the early 1990s.

Kilmersdon Church (St Peter & St Paul) is located in the centre of the village. It dates back to the Norman Period, though much of the current structure was built during the Victorian era. The tower is in four 4 stages, includes corner buttresses with shafts and pinnacles, and is connected across the angle. The tower contains a ring of 6 Bells, the heaviest being a Tenor of 21cwt. The summit has large corner shafts with pinnacles. There are traceried 3-light bell-chamber windows with a dense quatrefoil interlace and blank 2-light windows on the 2 lower stages. The flanked niches were for statuary, however this is now missing. The church has a triangular lychgate designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. It is a grade I listed building. [cite web | title=Church of St. Peter and St. Paul | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=267941 | accessdate=2006-10-07] (please see discussion page). It has a triangular lychgate designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Kilmersdon Parish Council covers the village of Kilmersdon, Charlton, South View and Green Parlour. Kilmersdon falls into the Somerton and Frome constituency.

Kilmersdon is close to the well known Ammerdown Conference and Retreat centre. Lord Hylton's son Andrew and his family currently live at Ammerdown - the current Lord Hylton lives in Hemmington. His estate covers many of the villages around including Kilmersdon, although much of the property in this estate is run by a charitable housing association set up by the current Lord Hylton's father.

A pair of lodges, gate piers and gates, associated with Ammerdown House, which were built in 1788-94 by James Wyatt, are grade II* listed buildings and on the English Heritage register of buildings at risk. [cite web |url=http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/ConBar.6303 |title=Kilmersdon Lodges |accessdate=2007-07-27 |format= |work=English Heritage, Building at Risk Register ]

References

External links

*EHbarName|Kilmersdon+Lodges