Shepton Mallet, Market town in Mendip district, Somerset, England
Shepton Mallet is a market town in Somerset situated between Bath and Bristol, with the River Sheppey running through it and the Mendip Hills forming its backdrop. The town center is accessible via Commercial Road, with parking available at Great Ostry and Townsend Shopping Park.
The settlement was recorded as Sceaptun in the 1086 Domesday Book, deriving its name from Old English terms for sheep farming and the Norman Malet family. This early establishment made it a trading center that remained significant throughout the centuries.
The Market Place remains the social hub where locals gather regularly to buy regional produce, handcrafted goods, and antiques from vendors. This practice shapes daily life and gives the town its identity.
The town center is easy to navigate with several parking options nearby, and pedestrian areas make exploring comfortable. Most shops and services cluster around the Market Place, making it simple to find what you need.
This location housed one of England's oldest operating prisons until 2013, which played a significant role in local history. The town also has strong ties to Somerset's cider production heritage, a craft tradition deeply rooted in the region.
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