Minehead Turnpike Trust (updated 23^rd Sept 2013)

This trust was created in 1765 and later as several districts in NW Somerset. Its main responsibilities were a large network of minor roads connecting the towns on the North West Somerset coast and Exmoor.

List of Acts

Minehead and Bampton Road	Minehead District	5 Geo3 c93	1765
	Dunster, Watchet,	5 Geo3 c113	1765
	Minehead District	26 Geo3 c136	1786
	Minehead District	47 Geo3 c27	1807
	Minehead District	3 Geo4 c99	1822	1843
	Dunster, Watchet, Stowey & Crowcombe Districts	9 Geo4 c84	1828	1849
	Dunster, Watchet, Stowey & Crowcombe Districts	9 Geo4 c122	1828	1849
	Expired			1877

Minehead 1807

An Act for continuing the Term, and altering and enlarging the Powers of Two Acts, passed in the Fifth and Twenty-sixth Years of His present Majesty, for repairing several Roads leading from the Town of Minehead, and from Dunster and Watchet, in the County of Somerset; and for improving certain other Roads therein described in the said County. [25th April 1807.]

Minehead 1822

An Act for amending and repairing the Roads from Minehead in the County of Somerset, to Batham Bridge in the Town of Bampton in the County of Devon; and for making a new Branch of Road to communicate therewith. [24th June 1822.]

Minehead 1828

An Act for more effectually repairing the Dunster, Stowey, Watchet, and Crowcombe Districts of the Minehead Roads, in the Counties of Somerset and Devon; and for making and repairing several other Roads communicating with the same Districts of Road, or some of them. [23d May 1828.]

Minehead 1828

An Act to rectify a Mistake in an Act of this Session of Parliament, intituled An Act for more effectually repairing the Dunster, Stowey, Watchet, and Crowcombe Districts of the Minehead Roads, in the Counties of Somerset and Devon, and for making and repairing several other Roads communicating with the same Districts of Road, or some of them. [25th July 1828.]

Select Committee on State of Roads 1840

Robert Leigh and Thomas Warden of Bardon (clerks to the trust) reported

For the Minehead District ;

There are 25 miles 7 furl. of road through 11 parishes – none repaired by the trustees; all repaired by parishes

7 toll gates and 8 side bars

The roads are stated to be in “tolerably good” repair, except for Exton – no part under indictment for want of repair but we expect that Parish of Exton will be indicted, the road passing through the parish being so much out of repair.

For the Dunster District ;

There are 14 miles 200yds of road through 9 parishes – none repaired by the trustees; all repaired by parishes

4 toll gates and 1 side bar

The roads are stated to be in “good” repair – no part under indictment for want of repair

For the Watchet District ;

There are 29 miles 3 furl. of road through 10 parishes – none repaired by the trustees; all repaired by parishes

3 toll gates and 1 side bar

The roads are stated to be in “tolerably good” repair – no part under indictment for want of repair

For the Crowcombe District ;

There are 12 miles 1 furl. of road through 10 parishes – none repaired by the trustees; all repaired by parishes

4 toll gates and 3 side bars

The roads are stated to be in “tolerably good” repair – no part under indictment for want of repair

For the Stowey District ;

There are 12 miles 7 furl. of road through 8 parishes – none repaired by the trustees; all repaired by parishes

4 toll gates and 5 side bars

The roads are stated to be in “good” repair – no part under indictment for want of repair

In “Return of length of road in each Turnpike Trust in England & Wales” Parl. Papers 1847-48 – (dated May 1848)

Trust reported 86 miles 4 furl. 0 yds (about 7 miles less than in 1840)

List of Roads

(roads identified and mapped in “Somerset Roads – the Legacy of Turnpike, by Bentley and Murless 1985”)

Click here for a map of Somerset Turnpike Roads

Click here to return to Turnpikes Home

Return to Turnpikes in Somerset general page

Known Tollhouses (extracts from Tollhouse National database) 38 sites in the Districts identified of the 22 reported by the Trust in 1840 (survivors in bold)

Road Classification Number

Route

GATE NAME

OS Grid Ref- Prefi

Easting

Northing

District

Civil Parish

Location (Name or Number)

Road or Street (see across)

Position

Evidence

Revised 15th Oct 2013

erected by (Turnpike Trust or Authority)

Bibliographic refs

Revised 23rd Sept 2013

Old County

MSS National ID

A396

Minehead to Exebridge

Exebridge

SS

93288

24263

DVMD

MOREBATH

The Toll-house

Higher Grants Farm

isolated on an island at jct with B3222

; Greenwood Devon (1827); Turnpike Trust Returns 1824;

Minehead and Bampton Road

Jenkinson T. & Taylor P. (2010), "The Toll-houses of North Devon", p.87; 1871 census

DV

DV.MOB

A396

Minehead to Exebridge

Chilly Bridge

SS

92395

30686

SOWS

BROMPTON REGIS

Toll House

Chillybridge Rocks

at jct to Stockham Hill, S of Kents Farm

; ; ;

Minehead and Bampton Road

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 32

SO

SO.BRO

A396

Minehead to Exebridge

Bury Hill (Louisa)

SS

937

287

SOWS

BROMPTON REGIS

abolished in 1824

; ; Turnpike Trust Returns 1824;

Minehead and Bampton Road

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 34

SO

B3190

Watchet to Bampton

Robbery Lane

ST

014

333

SOWS

BROMPTON REGIS

Robbery Lane, nr Roborough Gate Farm

closed 1825

; ; Turnpike Trust Returns 1824;

Minehead and Bampton Road

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 38

SO

A396

Minehead to Exebridge

Wheddon Cross

SS

924

388

SOWS

CUTCOMBE

Minehead District

Trust sold "materials from", demolished 1877

; ; ;

Minehead and Bampton Road

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 34; Census 1871: Clarke L.A. (2002) The Minehead United Trust

SO

B3222

Dulverton to Exebridge

Dulverton

ST

9138

2777

SOWS

DULVERTON

Vicarage Hill

some walls remain

; ; Turnpike Trust Returns 1824;

Minehead and Bampton Road

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 32

SO

A396

Minehead to Exebridge

West

SS

98810

43362

SOWS

DUNSTER

The Toll House, No. 38

West Street (Knowle Lane)

at the western edge of the town

; ; ;

Minehead and Bampton Road

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 33: Clarke L.A. (2002) The Minehead United Trust

SO

SO.DUN02

UC road

Minehead to Exebridge

Bonding

SS

98004

42560

SOWS

DUNSTER

Bonniton

present building at Bonniton Lane, jct with Broadwood Road (ST98004 42560) is clearly not the tollhouse

1708 tollhouse rebuilt in mid 19th cent in Luttrell estate style (plaque in gable); not the tollhouse - wrong TP date - looks too big to be just built from old materials

; ; Turnpike Trust Returns 1824;

Minehead and Bampton Road

-

SO

B3191

Minehead to Watchet

Blue Anchor

ST

03288

43521

SOWS

MINEHEAD

Blue Anchor Toll House

Minehead Road, Old Cleeve, at bottom of hill, jct with beachside road

closed in 1825

; ; Turnpike Trust Returns 1824;

Minehead and Bampton Road

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 36

SO

SO.MIN

A396

Minehead to Exebridge

Weare (hut)

SS

937

267

SOWS

MINEHEAD

Weareat side road to Weir Bridge and sawmill

Minehead District

; ; ;

Minehead and Bampton Road

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 31

SO

Washford to Wiveliscombe

Monksilver

ST

075

374

SOWS

MONKSILVER

; ; ;

Minehead and Bampton Road

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 39

SO

SO.MON

B3188

Watchet to Wellington

Ashbeer

ST

08711

35940

SOWS

STOGUMBER

Toll House

Silverdown Hill

jct with Maunsborough Lane, cottage attached to larger house

; ; ;

Minehead and Bampton Road

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 39

SO

SO.STO

A396

Minehead to Exebridge

Timberscombe

SS

957

427

SOWS

TIMBERSCOMBE

Diddon turn, Cowbridge

OS 1st Series; ; Turnpike Trust Returns 1824;

Minehead and Bampton Road

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 34; Census 1871: Clarke L.A. (2002) The Minehead United Trust

SO

A396

Minehead to Exebridge

Watchet East

ST

07

44

SOWS

WATCHET

; ; Turnpike Trust Returns 1824;

Minehead and Bampton Road

SO

A358

Minehead to Taunton

Tower Hill

ST

07874

40777

SOWS

WILLITON

Toll Cottage

Tower Hill

at jct with Bridge Street and High Street

; ; ;

Minehead Roads - Crowcomb Dist

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 41; Census 1861: Clarke L.A. (2002) The Minehead United Trust

SO

SO.WIL02

A358

Minehead to Taunton

East Combe

ST

161

311

SOWS

WILLITON

Crowcombe District

; ; ;

Minehead Roads - Crowcomb Dist

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 42; Census 1861: Clarke L.A. (2002) The Minehead United Trust

SO

A358

Minehead to Taunton

Ragland Castle

ST

085

405

SOWS

WILLITON

burnt in 1877

Crowcombe District

; ; Turnpike Trust Returns 1824;

Minehead Roads - Crowcomb Dist

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 41

SO

A39

Bridgwater to Minehead

Fair Cross

ST

054

396

SOTA

MILVERTON

Fair Cross

Trust sold "materials from"

Dunster District

; ; ;

Minehead Roads - Dunster Dist

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p38: Clarke L.A. (2002) The Minehead United Trust

SO

A39

Bridgwater to Minehead

Paradise

ST

00241

43247

SOWS

CARHAMPTON

Keepers Cottage (claimed to be tollhouse)

Station Road

dated 1738 - but TP Act is 1765 - also rather large - not convinced this is the Tollhouse though the OS shows a turnpike roughly here

OS 1st Series; ; Turnpike Trust Returns 1824;

Minehead Roads - Dunster Dist

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 03; Census 1861: Clarke L.A. (2002) The Minehead United Trust

SO

SO.CAR

A39

Bridgwater to Minehead

Green Dragon

ST

037

410

SOWS

CUTCOMBE

Trust sold "materials from"

; ; ;

Minehead Roads - Dunster Dist

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 33: Clarke L.A. (2002) The Minehead United Trust

SO

A39

Bridgwater to Minehead

Alcombe Cross

SS

977

452

SOWS

MINEHEAD

Alcombe Cross

Minehead District

OS 1st Series; ; ;

Minehead Roads - Dunster Dist

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 34; Census 1871: Clarke L.A. (2002) The Minehead United Trust

SO

A39

Bridgwater to Minehead

Washford

ST

0469

4102

SOWS

OLD CLEEVE

Toll Cottage

Abbey Road, jct with main road, Washford village

at main jct

; ; ;

Minehead Roads - Dunster Dist

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 35; Census 1871

SO

SO.OLD

A39

Corby to Market Harborough

Washford West and South

ST

05

41

SOWS

OLD CLEEVE

Washford

Trust sold "materials from"

Dunster District

; ; ;

Minehead Roads - Dunster Dist

Clarke L.A. (2002) The Minehead United Trust

SO

A39

Bridgwater to Minehead

Watchet West

ST

067

435

SOWS

WATCHET

probably near Jubille Terrace

; ; Turnpike Trust Returns 1824;

Minehead Roads - Dunster Dist

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 36

SO

A39

Bridgwater to Minehead

Long Street

ST

0794

4123

SOWS

WILLITON

Old Toll House

Long Street

attached to No 45 at jct with Wyndham Close

; ; ;

Minehead Roads - Dunster Dist

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 40

SO

SO.WIL01

B3188

Watchet to Wiveliscombe

Yard Mills

ST

060

392

SOWS

WILLITON

Turnpike Cottage

Main Road, Yarde

on hill just N of Water Works (note Trust sold the "hut"

; ; Dunster District;

Minehead Roads - Dunster Dist

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 38; Clarke L.A. (2002) The Minehead United Trust

SO

UC road (was A39)

main street

Stowey

ST

19287

39673

SOSG

NETHER STOWEY

Toll Cottage, No. 15

St Mary's Street

on the main street, just E of central junction (note trust sold "materials" of this)

; ; ;

Minehead Roads - Stowey Dist

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 44; Census 1871: Clarke L.A. (2002) The Minehead United Trust

SO

SO.NET

A39

Bridgwater to Minehead

Jackson's Lane

ST

186

399

SOSG

NETHER STOWEY

Jackson's Lane

Stowey District

; ; ;

Minehead Roads - Stowey Dist

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 44: Clarke L.A. (2002) The Minehead United Trust

SO

Limekiln Lane

ST

19

40

SOSG

NETHER STOWEY

Limekiln Lane

Stowey District

; ; ;

Minehead Roads - Stowey Dist

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 44: Clarke L.A. (2002) The Minehead United Trust

SO

A358

Minehead to Taunton

Seven Ash

ST

152

333

SOWS

CROWCOMBE

opened 1824, closed 1862

; ; ;

Minehead Roads - Stowey Dist

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 42: Clarke L.A. (2002) The Minehead United Trust

SO

A39

Bridgwater to Minehead

Putsham

ST

1483

4289

SOWS

KILVE

Putsham

demolished to make way for car park entrance

Stowey District

; ; Turnpike Trust Returns 1824;

Minehead Roads - Stowey Dist

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p43; Census 1851: Clarke L.A. (2002) The Minehead United Trust

SO

Watery Lane

ST

SOWS

NETHER STOWEY

Watery Lane

Stowey District

; ; ;

Minehead Roads - Stowey Dist

SO

A39

Bridgwater to Minehead

Wibble Lane

ST

092

418

SOWS

WILLITON

Wibble Lane, Black George, Rydon road

Stowey District

; ; Turnpike Trust Returns 1824;

Minehead Roads - Stowey Dist

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 42; Census 1861: Clarke L.A. (2002) The Minehead United Trust

SO

UC road

Watchet to West Quantock

Doniford

ST

088

427

SOWS

WILLITON

Doniford, replaced Windwhistle 1828

Stowey District

; ; ;

Minehead Roads - Stowey Dist

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 40; Census 1851: Clarke L.A. (2002) The Minehead United Trust

SO

A39

Bridgwater to Minehead

High Bridge

ST

092

419

SOWS

WILLITON

E of bridge (is this West Quantockhead?)

OS 1st Series; ; ;

Minehead Roads - Stowey Dist

SO

B3190

Washford to Watchet

Brendon Hill

ST

008

321

SOWS

NETTLECOMBE

Brendon Hill

built ca 1825

Watchet District

; ; ;

Minehead Roads - Watchet Dist

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 38; Census 1841

SO

B3190

Washford to Watchet

Five Bells

ST

065

424

SOWS

WATCHET

St Decumans

replaced Southern Gate in 1828; demolished 1950s

Watchet District

OS 1st Series; ; Turnpike Trust Returns 1824;

Minehead Roads - Watchet Dist

Dowding J & Taylor P. (2013) The Toll-Houses of Somerset , p 37; Census 1871: Clarke L.A. (2002) The Minehead United Trust

SO

Known Milestones

In the Milestone Society Database, 9 milestones are identified along this road, mostly on the A396 and B3190 most in a design referred to as Minehead plate. Based on the mileage reported by the Trust in 1840, would expect 86.