Watchet Town Council

General information

A charming little coastal town with an active Marina, excellent holiday accommodation, an Old Port, quaint houses and shops. An ideal place to stay for a few days or even longer, with many walks in beautiful countryside, along the interesting coastline or just sit on the Esplanade with a cider or an ice cream - both locally made of course. Watchet accommodation is also amongst the best in Somerset!

A Short History

Watchet was first recorded during the dark ages, when St Decuman arrived from South Wales and acted as a physician, arbitrator and pastor to the local community. He arrived on a raft with a cow as a companion!

In the Iron ages, Daws Fort was built above Watchet to protect the port and area. Watchet's then natural harbour, made it an early trading centre and in the 10th century coins were minted here for Ethelred II and five more Saxon Kings.

Watchet is unique in that it still retains the Court Leet system of medieval administration, albeit only in name. Posts include Portreeve and the coveted position of Ale Taster. The Star Inn, won the Somerset 2006 CAMRA award for real ale. It's unclear if the Ale Taster had a hand in this!

Watchet gets its name from WACET, the blue dye found in the cliffs. Watchet was an active port with a host of commodities being traded up and down the coast, to Ireland and Wales, while the Mineral Line brought iron ore down for shipment to Wales.