Explore Axbridge and Somerset

Compton House lies at the west end of Axbridge, a medieval town mentioned in the Domesday Book. Walk down West Street and you pass by a continuous line of brightly coloured Medieval and Georgian houses, including the butcher’s-shop door remarked on by John Betjeman.

The town square still looks much as it did 300 years ago and offers a good restaurant and pubs with a friendly Somerset welcome. It is believed that the Saxon kings made the town their headquarters when they came to hunt in the Mendip Forest.

The Square can still be a busy place, hosting lively local events such as the Blackberry Carnival, Somerset Showcase, as well as a monthly farmer’s market.

Axbridge is an ideal centre for walking, with Sedgemoor and the Somerset Levels to the south and the Mendip Hills sheltering the town to the north.

With the Cheddar Caves, historic Wells and Bath, meditative Glastonbury and bustling Bristol on our doorstep, we offer more than just an ideal place to break your journey westward.

If its action and adventure you're after, then try rock climbing and caving, or walk, cycle, horse ride, play a round of golf, paraglide, balloon, go-cart or try the nearby dry ski slopes. Or simply explore Somerset crafts and carnivals, National Trust properties, Bristol theatres and docks, and much more…

If you want to know more about Axbridge and the local area click here.

What's on in Axbridge in 2010?
Over the August Bank Holiday you can enjoy the Axbridge 2010 Pageant which is performed every 10 years. This is a two-hour long spectacular costume drama, in which over 500 people take part and is performed by the people of Axbridge. The town’s medieval square is the stage for the Pageant with seating for up to 600. Visit www.axbridgepageant.org.uk for tickets and more information.

Black Tie Dinner party Compton House Friday 17th September with readings from original works presented by Dee Palmer and Michael Bartlett, both ex-BBC radio producers and publishers of Crimson Cats, an innovative, small audio publishing company.

£28.50 per head for a welcome drink and 4 course meal. Cash Bar available

My Life and Times - autobiography of Jerome K Jerome

Rvery Lady a Gardener - selection of writings about gardens and gardeners by 19th century women

My Adventures as a Spy- Robert Baden- Powell's anecdotes of some of his espionage operstions

Hippos, Hairpins and High Button Shoes - based on the travels in West Africa by Mary Kingsley.

How to Own a Human - a collection of writings about cats and for cats

Buffet Supper on Saturday September 18th at 7.30pm at Compton House with the Young Jane Austen presented by Dee Palmer and Michael Bartlett. £14.50 per head for 2 course meal. Cash Bar available.

As a young girl Jane Austen wrote a number of stories and dedicated them to her immediate family. Some of these entertaining stories have been gathered together by Crimson Cats Audio Books. Hear how the text had to be aquired and then unravelled from Jane's own handwriting, how the music was played on a square piano. Listen to extracts from the exploits of Jack and Alice and Alice's first ventures into love, the extrordinary tale of Mr Harley, Jane Austen's concept of English history and finally a day in the life of Cassabdra, a tale dedicated to Jane's beloved sister.

Black Tie Jazz Dinner at Compton House, Friday 12th November at 7.30pm with Edward Leaker Trio and guest vocalist Heather Wensley. £28.50 per head for welcome drink and 3 course meal. Cash Bar available.

Edward has played at Compton House on many occasions; since graduating from the Royal Academy of Music he has worked as a freelance saxophonist performing in a diverse range of groups from chamber orchestras and saxophone quartets to function bands and jazz groups.Edward also performs as a solo recitalist with his own jazz group.

Please visit his website www.edwardleaker.com for more information about Edward and his work.

The Fifth Compton House Shopping Event Saturday 6th November and Sunday 7th November from 10.00am. Admission free. Refreshments availbale. Every room in this historic Georgian house packed to the rafters with unique and affordable gifts and crafts.