kids encyclopedia robot

Sedgemoor facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Sedgemoor

Sedgemoor District
Non-metropolitan district
Official logo of Sedgemoor
Shown within Somerset
Shown within Somerset
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Constituent country England
Region South West England
Ceremonial county Somerset
Admin HQ Bridgwater
Created 1 April 1974
Government
 • Type Unitary district
Area
 • Total 217.90 sq mi (564.36 km2)
Population
 (2021)
 • Total 125,752
 • Density 577.107/sq mi (222.8223/km2)
Time zone UTC0 (GMT)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+1 (BST)
Post Code
TA5-9
Area code(s) 01278

Sedgemoor is a flat area of land in Somerset, England. It's very close to sea level and is south of the Polden Hills. A long time ago, much of this area was marshland, which is why it's called a "moor."

The eastern part is known as King's Sedgemoor, and the western part is West Sedgemoor. Sedgemoor is part of a bigger area called the Somerset Levels and Moors. This place is famous in history for the Battle of Sedgemoor.

Sedgemoor also gave its name to a local government area. This area was created on April 1, 1974. It brought together several smaller towns and rural areas. This district was bigger than the historical Sedgemoor. It stretched north of the Polden Hills, across the Somerset Levels and Moors, all the way to the Mendip Hills.

However, on April 1, 2023, the Sedgemoor district was changed. A new type of local government, called a unitary district, took over. This new council is called Somerset Council. Elections for this new council happened in May 2022. The new council worked alongside Sedgemoor and other councils until they officially ended in April 2023.

What's in a Name?

The name Sedgemoor doesn't mean "sedge moor" (a marsh with sedge plants). Instead, it means "marsh of a man called Sicga." This name comes from an old Norse personal name, Sicga, and an Old English word, "mor," which means moor or marsh. The name was first written down as Secgamere in 1165.

Main Towns in Sedgemoor

Here are some of the main towns in the Sedgemoor area:

Local Villages and Parishes

Many smaller villages and areas, called civil parishes, make up the Sedgemoor region. Here's a look at some of them:

Image Name Type of Area Population Former Local Authority Location More Info
Street scene showing road junction with houses and cars Ashcott Civil parish 1,186 Bridgwater Rural District 51°07′N 2°49′W / 51.12°N 2.81°W / 51.12; -2.81 (Ashcott)
Street scene. On the left of the road is a half timbered house where the first and second storeys have irregular black wooden beams showing through white painted walls. Axbridge Town 2,057 Axbridge Rural District 51°17′N 2°49′W / 51.29°N 2.82°W / 51.29; -2.82 (Axbridge)
Stone building with square tower. In the foreground are gravestones. Badgworth Civil parish 525 Axbridge Rural District 51°16′N 2°52′W / 51.27°N 2.87°W / 51.27; -2.87 (Badgworth)
Brown stone building with red roofs and central square tower. In the foreground are gravestones. Bawdrip Civil parish 506 Bridgwater Rural District 51°09′N 2°56′W / 51.15°N 2.94°W / 51.15; -2.94 (Bawdrip)
Wooden hulk of ship, surrounded by wet sand. Berrow Civil parish 1,534 Axbridge Rural District 51°16′N 3°01′W / 51.27°N 3.01°W / 51.27; -3.01 (Berrow, Somerset)
Looking due north at a beach, caravan sites and village in the distance seen from the top of a hill Brean Civil parish 635 Axbridge Rural District 51°18′N 3°01′W / 51.30°N 3.01°W / 51.30; -3.01 (Brean)
Red brick buildings in front of grey stone church. In the foreground in a grassy field contained within a hedge and fence. Brent Knoll Civil parish 1,271 Axbridge Rural District 51°15′N 2°57′W / 51.25°N 2.95°W / 51.25; -2.95 (Brent Knoll)
Statue of figure with outstretched arm. To the left a tall church spire and the right a circular building with columns. Bridgwater Town 35,886 Bridgwater Municipal Borough 51°08′N 2°59′W / 51.13°N 2.99°W / 51.13; -2.99 (Bridgwater)
Large road w2ith houses to left and right and hills beyond. Bridgwater Without Civil parish 428 Bridgwater Rural District 51°08′N 2°58′W / 51.14°N 2.97°W / 51.14; -2.97 (Bridgwater Without)
Stone building with prominent square tower. Broomfield Civil parish 249 Bridgwater Rural District 51°05′N 3°07′W / 51.08°N 3.11°W / 51.08; -3.11 (Broomfield, Somerset)
Short pier above sand, surmounted by white pavilion with flag poles. Burnham on Sea and Highbridge Town 19,576 Burnham on Sea Urban District 51°14′N 2°59′W / 51.24°N 2.99°W / 51.24; -2.99 (Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge)
Small light coloured building behind a hedge and gate. Burnham Without Civil Parish 1,636 Axbridge Rural District 51°14′N 2°58′W / 51.23°N 2.96°W / 51.23; -2.96 (Burnham Without)
Small stone building with arched doorway. The church is partially obscured by trees. Burtle Civil parish 388 Bridgwater Rural District 51°10′N 2°52′W / 51.17°N 2.87°W / 51.17; -2.87 (Burtle)
Red stone church with square tower. Cannington Civil parish 2,271 Bridgwater Rural District 51°09′N 3°04′W / 51.15°N 3.07°W / 51.15; -3.07 (Cannington, Somerset)
View of the roofs of houses amongst trees and fields. Hills in the distance under a blue cloudless sky. Catcott Civil parish 531 Bridgwater Rural District 51°09′N 2°52′W / 51.15°N 2.87°W / 51.15; -2.87 (Catcott)
White circular building with four black sails. Chapel Allerton Civil parish 401 Axbridge Rural District 51°15′N 2°51′W / 51.25°N 2.85°W / 51.25; -2.85 (Chapel Allerton, Somerset)
Roofs of multiple buildings separated by trees and vegetation. In the distance is a lake and hills. Cheddar Civil parish 5,755 Axbridge Rural District 51°17′N 2°47′W / 51.28°N 2.78°W / 51.28; -2.78 (Cheddar)
Stone building with square tower. Chedzoy Civil parish 404 Bridgwater Rural District 51°08′N 2°57′W / 51.13°N 2.95°W / 51.13; -2.95 (Chedzoy)
Square stone tower, behind a stone wall and partially obscured by a tree. Chilton Polden Civil parish 698 Bridgwater Rural District 51°09′N 2°54′W / 51.15°N 2.90°W / 51.15; -2.90 (Chilton Polden)
Reddish stone building with square tower. Chilton Trinity Civil parish 260 Bridgwater Rural District 51°09′N 3°01′W / 51.15°N 3.01°W / 51.15; -3.01 (Chilton Trinity)
Church building with square tower seen within green fields with trees and hills behind. Compton Bishop Civil parish 620 Axbridge Rural District 51°18′N 2°52′W / 51.30°N 2.87°W / 51.30; -2.87 (Compton Bishop)
Stone building with square tower at left hand end. In the foreground either side of a path are gravestones in a grassy area. Cossington Civil parish 564 Bridgwater Rural District 51°10′N 2°55′W / 51.16°N 2.92°W / 51.16; -2.92 (Cossington, Somerset)
Stone buildings with water in front. Durleigh Civil parish 548 Bridgwater Rural District 51°07′N 3°02′W / 51.12°N 3.04°W / 51.12; -3.04 (Durleigh)
Roofs of houses with prominent church spire to the right. Hills in the background. East Brent Civil parish 1,302 Axbridge Rural District 51°16′N 2°56′W / 51.26°N 2.94°W / 51.26; -2.94 (East Brent, Somerset)
Road junction with direction sign. In the background is a white painted building with a pub sign saying The Crown. East Huntspill Civil parish 1,146 Bridgwater Rural District 51°12′N 2°59′W / 51.20°N 2.98°W / 51.20; -2.98 (Huntspill)
Stone wall with arched gap, overgrown with weeds. Edington Civil parish 372 Bridgwater Rural District 51°09′N 2°53′W / 51.15°N 2.88°W / 51.15; -2.88 (Edington, Somerset)
Square stone tower of church with residential buildings. In the foreground grass field contained by wooden fences. Enmore Civil parish 247 Bridgwater Rural District 51°07′N 3°05′W / 51.11°N 3.09°W / 51.11; -3.09 (Enmore, Somerset)
Stone building with lighter coloured square tower. In the foreground are gravestones. Fiddington Civil parish 298 Bridgwater Rural District 51°10′N 3°07′W / 51.16°N 3.12°W / 51.16; -3.12 (Fiddington)
Stone building with pillars, surrounded by grass. Goathurst Civil parish 193 Bridgwater Rural District 51°06′N 3°04′W / 51.10°N 3.06°W / 51.10; -3.06 (Goathurst)
Stone building with square tower, separated from the road in the foreground by a stone wall. Greinton Civil Parish 71 Bridgwater Rural District 51°07′N 2°50′W / 51.12°N 2.84°W / 51.12; -2.84 (Greinton)
White building with grey roof in the middle of green grass area. Lympsham Civil parish 960 Axbridge Rural District 51°17′N 2°57′W / 51.29°N 2.95°W / 51.29; -2.95 (Lympsham)
Square church tower showing above tees and shrubs. In the foreground is a grass field with cattle. Lyng Civil parish 338 Bridgwater Rural District 51°03′N 2°58′W / 51.05°N 2.96°W / 51.05; -2.96 (Lyng, Somerset)
Stone building with prominent square tower. In the foreground are gravestones. Mark Civil parish 1,478 Axbridge Rural District 51°14′N 2°53′W / 51.23°N 2.89°W / 51.23; -2.89 (Mark, Somerset)
Stone building with prominent square tower. Middlezoy Civil parish 725 Bridgwater Rural District 51°05′N 2°53′W / 51.09°N 2.89°W / 51.09; -2.89 (Middlezoy)
Square stone tower surrounded by trees and grass. Moorlinch Civil parish 408 Bridgwater Rural District 51°08′N 2°52′W / 51.13°N 2.86°W / 51.13; -2.86 (Moorlinch)
Stone building with prominent square tower. In the foreground are gravestones. Nether Stowey Civil parish 1,373 Bridgwater Rural District 51°09′N 3°09′W / 51.15°N 3.15°W / 51.15; -3.15 (Nether Stowey)
Stone building with prominent square tower. North Petherton Town 6,730 Bridgwater Rural District 51°05′N 3°01′W / 51.09°N 3.01°W / 51.09; -3.01 (North Petherton)
Stone building with square tower Othery Civil parish 642 Bridgwater Rural District 51°05′N 2°53′W / 51.08°N 2.88°W / 51.08; -2.88 (Othery)
Stone building with prominent square tower. In the foreground is a road and wall. Otterhampton Civil parish 831 Bridgwater Rural District 51°11′N 3°05′W / 51.18°N 3.08°W / 51.18; -3.08 (Otterhampton)
Stone building with prominent square tower. In the foreground are daffodils. Over Stowey Civil parish 352 Bridgwater Rural District 51°09′N 3°09′W / 51.15°N 3.15°W / 51.15; -3.15 (Over Stowey)
modern building with shop. Sign over window says Pawlett Country Store & Off Licence. Pawlett Civil Parish 1,038 Bridgwater Rural District 51°11′N 3°00′W / 51.18°N 3.00°W / 51.18; -3.00 (Pawlett, Somerset)
Stone building with square tower Puriton Civil parish 1,068 Bridgwater Rural District 51°10′N 2°58′W / 51.17°N 2.97°W / 51.17; -2.97 (Puriton)
Stone building with square tower Shapwick Civil parish 536 Bridgwater Rural District 51°08′N 2°50′W / 51.14°N 2.83°W / 51.14; -2.83 (Shapwick, Somerset)
Stone cross surrounded by railings on grass area in front of roads and houses. Shipham Civil parish 1,087 Axbridge Rural District 51°19′N 2°48′W / 51.31°N 2.80°W / 51.31; -2.80 (Shipham)
White painted building with pub sign saying The Lamb Inn Spaxton Civil parish 1,012 Bridgwater Rural District 51°08′N 3°07′W / 51.13°N 3.11°W / 51.13; -3.11 (Spaxton)
Stone building with small square tower. In the foreground is a road and wall. Stawell Civil parish 386 Bridgwater Rural District 51°08′N 2°55′W / 51.14°N 2.91°W / 51.14; -2.91 (Stawell, Somerset)
Houses amongst trees seen across fields and hedges. Stockland Bristol Civil parish 165 Bridgwater Rural District 51°11′N 3°05′W / 51.19°N 3.08°W / 51.19; -3.08 (Stockland Bristol)
White painted building with black timbers. In the foreground is a road and road sign. Thurloxton Civil parish 153 Bridgwater Rural District 51°04′N 3°02′W / 51.07°N 3.04°W / 51.07; -3.04 (Thurloxton)
Gray stone building with square tower Weare Civil parish 658 Axbridge Rural District 51°16′N 2°50′W / 51.27°N 2.84°W / 51.27; -2.84 (Weare, Somerset)
Stone building with square tower Wedmore Civil Parish 3,318 Axbridge Rural District 51°14′N 2°49′W / 51.23°N 2.81°W / 51.23; -2.81 (Wedmore)
Red stone building with square tower. In the foreground are gravestones. Wembdon Civil parish 3,613 Bridgwater Rural District 51°08′N 3°01′W / 51.13°N 3.02°W / 51.13; -3.02 (Wembdon)
Stone building with arched window and square tower, separated from the road by a stone wall and railings. West Huntspill Civil parish 1,414 Bridgwater Rural District 51°12′N 2°59′W / 51.20°N 2.98°W / 51.20; -2.98 (Huntspill)
Stone building with square tower Westonzoyland Civil parish 1,801 Bridgwater Rural District 51°07′N 2°55′W / 51.11°N 2.92°W / 51.11; -2.92 (Westonzoyland)
Stone building with square tower Woolavington Civil parish 2,115 Bridgwater Rural District 51°10′N 2°56′W / 51.17°N 2.93°W / 51.17; -2.93 (Woolavington)

Rivers of Sedgemoor

Several rivers flow through the Sedgemoor area, helping to shape its landscape.

The Map of Sedgemoor, with adjacent Parts (1662)
A map of Sedgemoor and nearby areas from 1662.

Historical Battles

Sedgemoor is famous for one important historical event:

Local Industries

Today, Sedgemoor has many modern businesses. However, some traditional jobs are still important. These include getting peat from the ground, making things from willow plants, and producing cider. Farming animals is also a big part of the local economy. The River Parrett is a place where people catch eels and young eels (called elvers) from January to May.

A new business area called Isleport trading estate in Highbridge is home to many big companies. For example, Geest (Isleport Foods) makes yogurt there. Brake Brothers supplies food to restaurants, and BFP wholesale provides baking ingredients. Woodbury & Haines sells furniture around the world. Polybeam Limited makes special radio masts. AT&T also has a center here that controls internet traffic to and from the US.

In Bridgwater, industry has also grown a lot. "Express Park" is a new business area. It includes Gerber Foods, which is a global fruit juice supplier. There's also an NHS Logistics depot and an Eddie Stobart depot, which are both important for moving goods.

How Sedgemoor Was Governed

Sedgemoor District Council (Past)

The Sedgemoor district council was set up in 1974. Its main office was in Bridgwater. This council managed a mostly rural area between the Quantock Hills and the Mendip Hills. In April 2023, the Sedgemoor council, along with Somerset County Council, was replaced by a new single council called Somerset Council. This new council is a unitary authority, meaning it handles all local government services for the area.

Members of Parliament

The Sedgemoor area is part of two special voting areas called county constituencies:

  • Bridgwater and West Somerset
  • Wells

People in these areas vote for someone to represent them in the House of Commons in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. This system is called "first past the post." Currently, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bridgwater and West Somerset is Ian Liddell-Grainger from the Conservative Party. The MP for Wells is James Heappey, also a Conservative, who won his seat in 2015.

Schools and Learning

Most schools in Sedgemoor are run by the Children & Young People's Directorate of Somerset County Council. However, some schools, like The Kings of Wessex School in Cheddar, have become more independent. They chose to become foundation schools and then academy schools, which means they have more control over how they are run, rather than being directly managed by the county council.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Sedgemoor para niños

kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Sedgemoor Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.