Here recently I have been doing a fair bit of Southwest trotting. I’ve come into a position where I can seriously start looking at purchasing a couple of acres of woodland so after trudging around potential areas up for sale I tend to meander about the nearby towns and villages. Recently my partner and I decided it was time to change up the routine and turn each look into a place a sort of mini holiday. So I am typing this from the Lord Poulett Arms in the quiet village of Hinton St. George.
It’s hard to describe the village of Hinton St George without first talking about the name Poulett. A well established English peerage since the 15th century who for centuries wielded power over multiple areas of the Southwest. Everywhere you look in the village you either see their name or their coat of arms. As their family seat this village is peppered with their stamp. Most of all in the village church which isn’t so much a church as a mausoleum to the Poulett family as you can see below.
So everywhere you go you are pretty much staring at the name here. Having said that the family did hold its power through some pretty tumultuous times. Had to have taken some true political savagery to do so given how unruly the locals around the area were and really still are in some parts.
Having gotten that part out of the way the village itself has an interesting background beyond the inbred aristocracy who built/funded the major developments. It sits in an area that is genuinely surrounded in a degree of mystery. Not being melodramatic in that statement. It’s the only area I’ve been to where the locals lose castles as well as have no clue why they have big man made mound surrounding them. Just outside of the village is a field where one of the largest Roman hoards of gold was found a few years ago, barrows can be seen everywhere you walk and drive in the surrounding countryside, and above all there’s almost a delightful nothingness to it all. Just orchards, fields, woods, and the occasional house.
Oh and here’s a bit more regarding the villages background before I forget.
Most of the properties in the village proper have been bought up by London money, however it is one of the most well maintained villages in the Southwest. I have to admit that the people do become significantly more friendly once you are in the village itself both local and non local. Despite popular belief the days of the gentle Somerset country folk who are sweet and kind are pretty much gone. Folks do get more friendly once your down into Devon or Dorset, but most parochial Somerset folks I’ve encountered in this area are.... well.. rude... or perhaps a better way to put it is don’t like outside folks. Not all, but a majority. Sort of like the rural Cornish. Sad but true. But not in Hinton St George.
Staying in this village the one thing that jumps out is it has a charm that is both in its people as well as it’s setting. Tucked back away from main roads and buried in the hills I was absolutely blown away by the natural genuine laid back ebb of the locals. Friendly greetings from strangers, inquiry about what brought us here, bought drinks, and an over all genuine feel. It’s odd because neighboring towns like Crewkerne, Chard, and Yeovil are all... well.. again more or less not so welcoming.
Below are some photos of a little walk through the village. It’s not a lot because it’s not big.
As I said... not big. Blink and you’ll miss it. The place is home to one of the strangest customs though. Long before the American pumpkin made it way here the villagers for centuries have had the strangest custom on Halloween. It’s called Punky Night. Before the Normans arrived the locals would light lanterns and carve out various vegetables and light them at the corner of the fields to keep the Punky demon away. Later it evolved into a ritual for wives to light the way for their drunk husbands to make it home from nearby towns after selling their harvest or stock, and today it’s a festival held a day before Halloween where the village children and local towns folk have a procession with their hollow lit squashes. Only three villages in the UK still follow this Saxon tradition so stumbling upon it here was fascinating.
The place I stayed I’ll feature below. For anyone visiting the Southwest you would be wise to book here. We got lucky on a cancellation. It’s in high demand and after waking up groggy from grog and stumbling down to oak smoke and wonderful people and food I can see why. Legends are written about such hospitality. Oh, and if you have a pet no it can’t stay in their accommodation but it is welcome in the pub and restaurant. Only place I’ve been that has a dog section on their of treats they can make your four pawed little one. Below are many pictures of the Georgian pub I’m sitting at while I type this to my partners annoyance.
Well guys this is just a brief little blurb on a rather wonderful place. If ever you find yourself staying in Somerset and want an insanely welcoming and wonderful location to stay in then this should be your go to. It’s in striking range of everywhere between Dorset, and Devon. It’s been a truly wonderful stay and I will be sad to leave tomorrow.
Thanks for reading and best of luck on your posts and projects. Keep on Steeming.