Shapwick, Somerset

infobox UK place
country = England
static_

static_image_caption=
latitude= 51.140815
longitude=-2.833301
official_name =Shapwick
population =
shire_district= Sedgemoor
shire_county= Somerset
region= South West England
constituency_westminster= Bridgwater
post_town= TAUNTON
postcode_district = TA7
postcode_area=TA
dial_code=
os_grid_reference= ST418382

Shapwick is a village on the Somerset Levels, in the Sedgemoor district of Somerset, England. It is situated to the west of Glastonbury.

Due to the plan of its roads and streets academics have described it as a "typical English village" (see link below). Shapwick originally belonged to Glastonbury Abbey; its manor house dates to around 1475; originally it was moated but the moat was filled in during the first quarter of the 17th century. The church, dating to 1331, is an anachronism. Its central tower is a style that was at least a century out of date.

In 1998 a hoard of 9,238 silver denarii (the second largest hoard ever found from the Roman Empire, and the largest in the United Kingdom) was discovered in the remains of a previously unknown Roman villa near Shapwick. [cite web |url=http://www.somerset.gov.uk/somerset/culturecommunity/museums/somersetcollection/shapwick/ |title=The Shapwick Coin Hoard |accessdate=2007-06-10 |work=Somerset County Council ] Following a Treasure Inquest in Taunton, the hoard was valued and acquired in its entirety by Somerset County Museums Service for the sum of £265,000. . [cite web |url=http://treasurehunting.tv/?p=30 |title=The Shapwick Coin Hoard and Photos|accessdate=2007-06-10 |work=treasurehunting.tv ]

It is also the site of one end of the Sweet Track an ancient causeway dating from 3806 BC.

It was the birthplace of Australian politician Henry Strangways in 1832 and Girl Guide leader Joan Marsham in 1888.

Shapwick railway station was a station on the Highbridge branch of the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway. It opened in 1854 and closed in 1966.

References

External links

* [http://www.archaeology.co.uk/ca/timeline/saxon/shapwick/origins2.htm The "typical English village" with photographs and plan]
* [http://www.maney.co.uk/search?fwaction=show&fwid=768 "The Shapwick Project, Somerset: A Rural Landscape Explored"] (2007) edited by Dr Chris Gerrard and Professor Mick Aston
* [http://www.somerset3d.co.uk/logos%20&%20pictures/town%20&%20village%20pages/shapwick.htm Photos of Shapwick in 3d (Anaglyphs)]