Yeovil Guide Somerset

Yeovil Guide, Somerset

Young-at-heart Yeovil

Church of St John the Baptist, UK — The 14th century Church of St John the Baptist

Located about 40 miles south of Bath and just 30 miles from Frome, Yeovil in south Somerset offers some fine architecture, a long history and some lovely nature on its doorstop.

With a population of around 40,000, the town has much to offer for a weekend stay or a day trip from nearby Bath and Exeter.

The Millennium Clock in Yeovil. — The Millennium Clock in Yeovil

The cycle way along the route of the old railway in Yeovil Country Park

History

The modern name Yeovil comes from "town on the River Yeo", and was on the Roman Fosse Way (now the A37) from Dorchester to Ilchester.

The market town was recorded in the Domesday Book as Givele from the Saxon Gifle or 'forked river'. The market tradition continues to this day with markets held on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays on Lower Middle Street. Stalls sell a variety of local food and drink, retro and vintage collectables, homewares and clothing.

During the Middle Ages the town became known for its production of leather goods in particular, gloves. Indeed, the local football team, Yeovil FC, who play at Huish Park in the west of town, are nicknamed 'The Glovers.'

Due to fires in the 15th and 17th century, unfortunately little is left of the historic, wooden town except for the 14th century, stone Church of St John the Baptist.

By 1854 Yeovil had gained borough status and had its first mayor. The arrival of the railways in the mid-19th century brought renewed prosperity and the town developed as a center of the defence industry. This attracted German bombing raids in World War II. Leonardo helicopters, previously Westland, is the town's major employer joined by Honeywell Aerospace, which produces oxygen systems for aircraft.

Some famous people with connections to the town include cricketer Ian Botham, singer/songwriter PJ Harvey and poet TS Eliot, who is buried in nearby East Coker.

In literature, the town is known as Ivell in Thomas Hardy's novels and also appears in John Cowper Powys' classic Wolf Solent.

Attractions

The Church of St. John the Baptist is the town's biggest sight and a Grade I listed building. Built between 1380 and 1405 and renovated in the mid-19th century, the Anglican church is known for its 28-meter tall tower added around 1480. The present Norman church in the perpendicular style replaced an earlier Saxon place of worship.

The interior is noted for one unusual stained glass window showing Judas Iscariot with a black halo and the font which dates back to the earliest origins of the church.

Other churches in Yeovil include a Methodist Church on Vicarage Street that dates from 1870 (one of three Methodist churches in the town), a United Reformed Church which is now closed and St Andrew's Church on Preston Grove.

Nearby attractions include the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton. It is dedicated to the history and aircraft of British naval aviation. Among the diverse collection on show are both civilian and military aircraft, models of aircraft and Royal Navy vessels (in particular aircraft carriers) and aero engines.

Haynes Motor Museum in Sparkford has the UK's largest collection of cars and motorcycles, with over 300 vehicles from around the world on show.

Yeovil Country Park has several distinct areas including the easily accessible Ninesprings Park with its old woodlands and wildflower meadows and the lovely views from the tops of Penn Hill and Wyndham Hill.

Also within easy driving distance are both Montacute House and Lytes Cary Manor, historic National Trust properties in the area.

Five miles northeast is Cadbury Castle which is associated with the Arthurian legend and the location of Camelot.

Vicarage Street Methodist Church, UK. — Vicarage Street Methodist Church

Eating, Leisure & Nightlife

The Acorn near the Church of St John the Baptist gets good reviews for its British menu based on local produce. For Thai and Asian food try Khun Goi on Bond Street and for Italian, Castello on Park Road. For vegan and vegetarian options visit Cafe 50 on Princes Street.

Some decent pubs include the Butcher's Arms near the library, The Manor Hotel (see below), The Armoury and The Beehive.

Butcher's Arms, Yeovil. — Butcher's Arms

Cineworld in Yeo Leisure Park where the old Yeovil Town Station once stood is a multiplex with the latest movies. Hollywood Bowl also at Yeo Leisure Park has ten-pin bowling and an American-themed diner.

Westlands Yeovil is a recent conference/leisure center close to Yeovil/Westland Airport presenting theatre screenings, comedy, musicals, pantomime and other events.

The Octagon Theatre

The Octagon Theatre is currently being redeveloped and hopes to reopen in 2029 after closing in 2023.

The more than 50-year-old theatre opened in 1974 as the multi-purpose Johnson Hall, becoming known as the Octagon in the 1980s.

Accommodation in Yeovil

Places to stay in and around Yeovil include the Manor Hotel by Greene King Inns in Hendford, both a quality eatery and a hotel and the Quicksilver Mail offering free WiFi and parking.

See a listing of hotels and other accommodation in Yeovil.

Access - Getting To Yeovil

The town is located south of Bath, Bradford on Avon and Frome. Nowadays Yeovil has two railway stations down from four. These are Yeovil Junction and Yeovil Pen Mill.

Yeovil Pen Mill is operated by Great Western Railways (GWR) with connections to destinations across the South West. There are regular services throughout the day to Bristol Temple Meads, stopping at such stations as Castle Cary, Frome, Westbury, and Bath Spa.

The quickest trains from Bristol Temple Meads Station in Bristol to Yeovil Pen Mill Station take about one hour, 30 minutes with a change in Westbury.

South Western Railway operate a few services between London Waterloo and Pen Mill. Some are via Yeovil Junction and others via Westbury.

Yeovil Junction is operated by South Western Railway (SWR). There is one service an hour to and from London Waterloo and Exeter St David’s. Altogether here are stops in Woking, Andover, Salisbury, Tisbury, Sherbourne, Axminster, and also Exeter Central among other stations from Waterloo to Exeter. There is a bus service and taxis to take passengers into Yeovil from Yeovil Junction.

The Yeovil Railway Centre is a small railway museum at the station. Demonstration trains run on the approximately ¼ mile of track along the Clifton Maybank spur.

Yeovil is about an hour's car journey from Bath on the A303 or A367/A37.

London is around a two hour to three hour drive on the A303.