South Cadbury

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= South Cadbury
latitude= 51.0285
longitude= -2.5241
civil_parish=
population = 264 [cite web | title= South Somerset Population Statistics Census 2001 | work=Somerset County Council | url=http://www.somerset.gov.uk/media/58B/29/South_Somerset_Parishes_01.pdf | accessdate=2006-11-27]
shire_district= South Somerset
shire_county = Somerset
region= South West England
constituency_westminster=Somerton and Frome
post_town=Yeovil
postcode_district = BA22
postcode_area= BA
dial_code= 01963
os_grid_reference= ST632256

South Cadbury is a village and civil parish in the South Somerset council area of the English county of Somerset. It is famous as the location of the hill fort of Cadbury Castle, thought by some to be King Arthur's Camelot.

Geography

South Cadbury is located at gbmapping|ST632256, 7.5 miles (12km) north-east of Yeovil. The village lies just south of the main A303 road from London to the south-west of England, which runs through the north of the civil parish. As well as South Cadbury itself, the parish includes the village of Sutton Montis to the south of Cadbury Hill. This is one of three large hills in the centre and south-eastern portion of the parish, the others being Littleton Hill and the Beacon. There is a hill fort on Cadbury Hill and a disused quarry on Littleton Hill. South Cadbury is part of the Castle Cary ward which elects one councillor to Somerset County Council.

Church of England parish church

South Cadbury parish church is dedicated to St Thomas A'Becket. It largely dates from the 13th and 15th centuries, but was widely restored in 1874. Many of the fittings date from this time. However, it does boast a 15th century roof, with angel brackets and carved bosses, and an early wall painting of St Thomas. [cite web | last = Camelot Parochial Church Council | title=South Cadbury: The Church of St Thomas A'Becket | work=The Camelot Parishes | url=http://www.camelotp.webspace.fish.co.uk/html/south_cadbury.html | accessdate=2006-11-27] The church is a Grade II* listed building. [cite web | last = English Heritage | title=South Cadbury CP: Sherborne Road (West side): Church of St Thomas a Becket | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?pid=1&id=445879 | accessdate=2006-11-27] The 18th century poet and satirist, Charles Churchill was at one time curate at South Cadbury. There is also a parish church at Sutton Montis.

Cadbury Castle

Immediately to the south-west of the village is Cadbury Castle, a vast Iron Age hill fort covering an area of around 20 acres (8ha). The site has seen human occupation from Neolithic times until the late Saxon period. It was famously partially excavated by Leslie Alcock in the 1960s, when, amongst other things, an Arthurian period feasting hall was discovered. Since John Leland made reference to local traditions of a connection with King Arthur in the 16th century, there has been widespread speculation that this was the location of Camelot. King Arthur's Well sits at the foot of the hill and the local public house was renamed as 'The Camelot' when it was remodelled and renamed in 2004 from the previous 'Red Lion'.

References