Discover Yeovil, Somerset

Yeovil, Somerset, England: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crofton_Park_and_the_rear_of_the_hospital_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1406120.jpg
Author: Steve Barnes


Yeovil is a town in South Somerset, England. It is close to the border with Dorset, and is 48 km (30 mi) from Taunton, the Somerset county town. Yeovil has a population of 30,000 people (2012 estimate) within an urban area of 45,000 people.

The Yeovil area has been inhabited since the paleolithic period. A golden torc found in nearby Hendford dates to the Bronze Age. Under the Romans, a road was built through it. It was mentioned for the first time in AD 880, and was known then as Gifle. It appeared in the Domesday Book compiled by the Normans in 1086, listed as Givle.

The population of Yeovil was halved by the Black Death. It also suffered from several major fires in 1499, 1620 and 1643. During the Industrial Revolution, Yeovil developed as a glove-making center. This caused its 19th century population to increase. The Great Western Railway and the London and South Western Railway both built lines connecting it with London.

Middle Street, Yeovil: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Middle_Street,_Yeovil.jpg
Author: Liz Martin
In 2006, Yeovil caught national attention when it instituted the controversial system of biometric fingerprint scanning for access to nightclubs. The town has also banned skateboards, roller skates, roller blades and Heelys. The town has a developed economy. One of the major employers is AgustaWestland, which manufactures helicopters in Yeovil. Quedam Shopping Centre is a major retail center in town.

Visiting Yeovil

From London, take the M3 motorway to Junction 8, then continue west on the A303 road until Sparkford. At the roundabout, head south on the A359 road till you reach Yeovil.

Church of St John the Baptist, Yeovil: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yeovil_St_John%27s_Church_entrance_side.JPG
Author: Lamiai

Places of Interest in Yeovil

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About this website

Hello and thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy and my hobby is in describing places so that I can share the information with the general public. My website has become the go to site for a lot of people including students, teachers, journalists, etc. whenever they seek information on places, particularly those in Malaysia and Singapore. I have been doing this since 5 January 2003, for over twenty years already. You can read about me at Discover Timothy. By now I have compiled information on thousands of places, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and I continue to add more almost every day. My goal is to describe every street in every town in Malaysia and Singapore.

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