Bowlish

infobox UK place
country = England
static_

static_image_caption=
latitude= 51.18
longitude=-02.55
official_name =Bowlish
population =
shire_district= Mendip
shire_county= Somerset
region= South West England
constituency_westminster= Wells
post_town= Shepton Mallet
postcode_district = BA4
postcode_area=BA
dial_code=01749
os_grid_reference= ST6143

Bowlish is a hamlet on the A371 road between Shepton Mallet and Croscombe in Somerset, England. Although it is on the periphery of Shepton Mallet, Bowlish is still very much its own place - separate from Shepton Mallet.

There is an [http://www.bowlish.ik.org infants school] and a public house, The Horseshoe Inn, [A grade II listed building: [http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=266656&mode=quick Images of England: Horseshoe Inn, Bowlish, Shepton Mallet] . Although closed for 18 months, The Horseshoe Inn has just (29.01.08) been bought by Ken & Steph Turner (formally of the Poacher's Pocket Public House, Chelynch) and is to undergo refurbishment prior to opening by late spring 2008.] which was formerly a blacksmith's forge, hence the name.

Bowlish contains three grade II* listed buildings:
* Old Bowlish House [ [http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=266513&mode=quick Images of England: Old Bowlish House] ] dates from the first half of the 17th century and was remodelled in about 1720 in the Palladian style. It now houses a contemporary art gallery. [ [http://www.bowlishgallery.co.uk/about_old_bowlish_house Old Bowlish House Contemporary Art Galley website] ]
* Bowlish House [ [http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=266480&mode=quick Images of England: Bowlish House] ; [http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=266481&mode=quick Images of England: Bowlish House Gate Piers and Mounting Block] ] , also in the Palladian style was built in 1732 by a prosperous local clothier. A spring is reported to rise in the cellar. It is now a hotel and restaurant. [ [http://www.bowlishhouse.com/house.htm Bowlish House website] ]
* Park House, Forum Lane [ [http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=266511&mode=quick Images of England: Park House, Forum Lane, Bowlish, Shepton Mallet] ] dates to about 1700 and modified about 1750.

Among the 19 grade II listed buildings are:

* Coombe House, [ [http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=266483&mode=quick Images of England: Combe House, Bowlish, Shepton Mallet] ] built circa 1820.

* 14, 15 and 16 Combe Lane [ [http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=266485&mode=quick Images of England: 14, 15 and 16 Combe Lane, Bowlish, Shepton Mallet] ] which were built around 1700 with 18th century alterations.

* 26 to 29 Combe Lane [ [http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=266486&mode=quick Images of England: 26-29 Combe Lane, Bowlish, Shepton Mallet] ] is a former mill built around 1700 and enlarged in 1850.

* 30 and 31 Combe Lane [ [http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=266487&mode=quick Images of England: 30 and 31 Combe Lane, Bowlish, Shepton Mallet] ] are two weaver's cottages dating to about 1850.
* The Silk Drying Shed to the north of Darshill House. [ [http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=266659&mode=quick Images of England: Silk Drying Shed, Darshill House, Bowlish, Shepton Mallet] ] This is a curious looking building, locally known as a handle house, of which three walls are full of holes to allow the passage of air to aid in the process of drying teasle heads which were used to raise the nap on cloth in the textile process. [See glossary definition at [http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/help/help.asp?code=BTThes/t/93510.htm Images of England thesaurus] ]

What is now the [http://www.jysg.co.uk John Yeo Stained Glass studio] in Ham Lane was formerly a coal store attached to a stable which belonged to the public house next door, The Butcher’s Arms, which ceased trading in 1860. The studio has provided stained glass for, among others, the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Ghost, Midsomer Norton.

As a consequence of the historic nature of the hamlet it has been designated as a conservation area [See the [http://www.mendip.gov.uk/Publication.asp?id=SX9452-A7821E79 Shepton Mallet Conservation Area Appraisal] and the general [http://www.mendip.gov.uk/CouncilService.asp?id=SX9452-A77F9A61#SX9452-A77FBAB2 conservation areas] page on the [http://www.mendip.gov.uk Mendip District Council] website.] and site of special archaeological interest.

References