From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For the other Draycott in Somerset, see Limington

Map sources for Draycott, Somerset at grid reference ST477509

Draycott is a small village in Somerset, England. It lies on the A371 near Cheddar on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Draycott was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Draicote, meaning 'The dray shelter' from the Old English dragan and cot.^[1]

Close to the village is the Draycott Sleights nature reserve which has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Draycott, like nearby Cheddar, is still a major strawberry producer. The now disused railway line that ran through Draycott was called the Strawberry Line. The pub located opposite the old railway station is called The Strawberry Special.

Contents 1 The Narrows 2 Church 3 External links 4 References

Draycott has a main road A371 which runs North to South along the village's longest Axis. Despite being classified as a main road, the road significantly narrows at certain points along the southern part of the village by Ivy Cottage. This part of the road is known as 'the narrows' and has been the cause of congestion during times of increased traffic flow such as during the summer tourist season. Many campervans and caravans have become stuck here.

Halesland Airfield just above the village is home to the Mendip Gliding Club.

There is some evidence, an unfinished earthwork enclosure on the hill above Draycott, of occupation of the site during the Iron Age.^[2]

The church of St Peter was built in 1861 by the architect C.E. Giles. It is a grade II listed building.^[3] The majority of the stonework is that known locally as 'Draycott Marble', a dolomitic conglomerate with a pronounced pinkish tinge, that was quarried quite close by at Draycott quarry.^[4] Notable interior features are the stained glass east windows, the fine wrought-iron rood screen (1894), and the neo-Norman font.^[5]

• Mendip Gliding Club

1. ^ Robinson, Stephen (1992). Somerset Place Names. Wimbourne: The Dovecote Press Ltd. ISBN 1874336032. 
2. ^ Mendip Hills An Archaeological Survey of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Somerset County Council Archeological Projects. Retrieved on 2006-10-28.
3. ^ Church of St Peter. Images of England. Retrieved on 2006-07-17.
4. ^ Atthill, Robin (1976). Mendip: A new study. Newton Abbott: David & Charles. ISBN 0715372971. 
5. ^ Church of St Peter. Retrieved on 2006-07-17.

Coordinates: 51.25485° N 2.75082° W