Treat yourself and your loved ones to an Afternoon Tea near Shepton Mallet. This market town is situated in Somerset, South West England, some five miles from Wells, 16 miles from Bath and 18 miles from Bristol. It lies on the River Sheppey, close to the Mendip Hills, and is the nearest town to the famous Glastonbury Festival. While music has its merits, come lunchtime, you’ll want to stop here.
Exploring the History of Shepton Mallet
Archaeological evidence has established substantial prehistoric activity in the region, followed many centuries later by Anglo-Saxon settlement. It subsequently appeared in the Domesday Book of 1086, written as “Sceaptun”.
During the English Civil War, the community supported the Parliamentarian cause. Decades later, in 1685, it hosted the Duke of Monmouth amid the Monmouth Rebellion.
Cloth industries in the 17th and 18th centuries sustained much of the local economy. Silk manufacturers, too, played a crucial role, with Shepton Mallet’s satin textile used in Queen Victoria’s wedding dress.
By the Second World War, the nearby prison became a safe place for national records. Among them were the Magna Carta, the Domesday Book, HMS Victory’s logbooks, and dispatches from the Battle of Waterloo.
What To Expect From an Afternoon Tea in Shepton Mallet
Those wishing for dainty delights will receive Loose Leaf Tea of the finest quality, scones with cream and jam (you choose the order!), and plenty of cake. One could go further still, however, with a bottle of Champagne or Prosecco for added luxury.
Meanwhile, the likes of vegans, vegetarians and gluten free-ers needn’t worry – there’s something for everyone with an Afternoon Tea in Shepton Mallet.