Grade I listed buildings in West Somerset

West Somerset is a local government district in the English county of Somerset. In the United Kingdom, the term listed building refers to a building or other structure officially designated as being of special architectural, historical or cultural significance; Grade I structures are those considered to be "buildings of exceptional interest".[1] Listing was begun by a provision in the Town and Country Planning Act 1947. Once listed, severe restrictions are imposed on the modifications allowed to a building's structure or its fittings. In England, the authority for listing under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990[2] rests with Historic England, a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport; local authorities have a responsibility to regulate and enforce the planning regulations.

The district of West Somerset covers a largely rural area, with a population, according to the 2011 census, of 35,300[3] in an area of 740 square kilometres (290 sq mi).[4] The largest centres of population are the coastal towns of Minehead and Watchet. The council's administrative headquarters are in the village of Williton.

There are 33 Grade I listed buildings in West Somerset. The oldest is either Culbone Church, one of the smallest churches in England,[5] and pre-Norman in origin,[6] or Tarr Steps, which may originate in the Bronze Age, although other sources date them from around 1400.[7] Dunster has the greatest concentration of Grade I listed buildings, including Dunster Castle, which was built in 1617 on a site which had supported a castle for the previous 600 years;[8] the Yarn Market, which was built in 1609;[9] Gallox Bridge, which dates from the 15th century[10] and the Priory Church of St George which is predominantly from the 15th century but includes part of the earlier church on the same site.[11] Other sites include manor houses such as the medieval buildings at Nettlecombe Court[12] and Orchard Wyndham.[13] Somerset has many religious structures, most of which are from the Norman or medieval eras. Some of the churches are part of the Somerset towers, a collection mostly spireless Gothic church towers.

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  1. ^ "Listed Buildings". Historic England. Archived from the original on 19 March 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  2. ^ "Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (c. 9)". Ministry of Justice. Archived from the original on 18 April 2010. Retrieved 17 December 2007.
  3. ^ "Statistics & Census Information". West Somerset Council. Archived from the original on 24 August 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  4. ^ "West Somerset (Local Authority): Key Figures for Physical Environment". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Archived from the original on 29 July 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2009.
  5. ^ "Parish Churches". Somerset County archives. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2007.
  6. ^ Historic England. "Culbone church (1058037)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 24 October 2007.
  7. ^ "Tarr Steps". Everything Exmoor. Retrieved 23 April 2009.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference dunster castle was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference dunsteryarnmarket was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference galloxbridge was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference dunsterstgeorge was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference nettlecombe was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference orchardwyndham was invoked but never defined (see the help page).