Minehead's Maritime Heritage Plaques

In 2014, as part of the Minehead Maritime Heritage Project, seven plaques were created and mounted on the harbour wall. They were unveiled by the Les Smith, the Mayor of Minehead on 11th July 2014 at the Minehead Harbour Festival.  The plaques depict the seven eras of maritime heritage in Quay Town, Minehead and the vessels, which would have been in use at the time.

A series of workshops and projects, lead by Halsway Manor with sea shanty specialists Tom & Barbara Brown and storyteller Alex Simson, were held with local residents and schoolchildren to create the artistic brief.    The plaques were then designed and made by artist Sue Webber and author John Gilman.  Sue made 3-dimensional clay panels, which were then cast in resin and bronze powder by local company S&S Exmoor.  

The First Millennium and the Currach

The Celts sailed in light but durable currachs.  These were made of hide and wicker, could be up to 60 feet long and were capable of long voyages across oceans. This scene shows a saint looking for somewhere to live his life in prayer, solitude and learning.  He chose the spot where St Michael's Church now stands.

The 1100s - The Cog and the Carrack

The scene on this plaque is the raiding party of Welsh pirates led by William de Berkley, which arrived off the coast of Minehead on 1st August 1265.  They were defeated and William de Berkley and his crew were captured by Adam Le Gurdon, who was the master of Dunster Castle garrison.  They were executed by public drowning in Minehead Harbour. Cogs were oak planked boats with a single square sail.  They developed from the currachs.  Portuguese and Spanish boatbuilders later developed the carrack, which had 4 sails and fortified forecastles and aftercastles at the bow and stern. 

The 1500s - The Galleon

Galleons evolved from the carracks and were common by the 1500s.  They were fully rigged and had deeper keels that the carracks.  This meant they were capable of long sea voyages but couldn't be sailed in shallow inland waters.

The 1700s - Tops'l Schooner

Ships paid to shelter in Minehead harbour.  A new harbour was built in Minehead.  Fees were levied to pay for the new harbour and for the removal of silt and shingle from the harbour mouth.

 

The 1800s - Fully Rigged Ships

This plaque shows Minehead Harbour when it was busiest with lots of herring boats.  Supporting industries e.g. ropemaking, sail making and carpentry were located nearby.

First World War - Steamers

Minehead is decorated with bunting and fairy lights during a July Gala Week when Battlecruiser HMS Furious and Destroyer HMS Vega where anchored offshore. On the Saturday night 3,000 people watched a light show.

Second World War - Lifeboats and Convoys

John Slade and Tom Escott are shown in the lifeboat Mouette.  They sailed to Blue Anchor Bay to examine a partially submerged object, which had been spotted.  It turned out to be a mine, which exploded as they approached it and they were both killed.  A minesweeper can be seen in the distance and Spitfires are shown in the sky.  A gasometer stands next to the lifeboat house.

Combwich and Bridgwater Buoys

A pair of restored 19th century buoys are on display at Combwich Wharf and Bridgwater Docks. 

The plaque on the buoy at Combwich Wharf says this:

"This buoy, one of only a few remaining examples, was constructed in Carvers Boatyard, Bridgwater in about 1860 for use in the Bristol Channel.  The original oak timbers were nearly 4 inches thick and some of these are still intact in this buoy.  

When in use the buoy would have been the other way up and anchored to the sea bed with a light and bell attached to the flat topside.

This buoy was previously sited at Harbour Garage with its pair, now at Bridgwater Docks and was given to the village by Mr Colin Wilkins, who bought the site.

This restoration and resiting was carried out with the help of Nuclear Electric PLC at Hinkley Point and the base was provided by Combwich Cruising Club.

This project was organised by Otterhampton Parish Council August 1991.                      

Further refurbishment sponsored by Otterhampton Parish Council completed in 2016 by Burnham Marine and Combwich Motor Boat and Sailing Club."

The plaque on the Bridgwater Buoy says this:

"The Bridgwater Buoy was refurbished in 2017 with the support of local people, organisations and companies led by Patricia Robinson.  The bricks on which it sits originated from the old Workhouse."

Combwich Buoy

Plaque on Combwich Buoy

Bridgwater Buoy

Plaque on Bridgwater Buoy

Battery Point Lighthouse, Portishead

Battery Point Lighthouse was built in 1931 by Chance Brothers of Smethwick on a rocky promontory on the north west edge of Portishead.  The deep water channel known as King Road passes very close to the coast at this point.  The lighthouse, which is also known as Portishead Point Lighthouse, is nine metres tall and consists of a black metal pyramid on a square concrete base.  The lighthouse is maintained by Bristol Port Company.  In 1999 they announced that they wanted to demolish the lighthouse and replace it with a modern navigational aid.  After a campaign by local residents, they agreed to build a replica of the original lighthouse.

Battery Point Lighthouse

Container ship passing Battery Point Lighthouse

Battery Point Lighthouse

A two tonne bronze fog signal bell was installed at Battery Point Lighthouse in 1939.  It was removed c1998.  It was found in a warehouse owned by Bristol Port Company in Avonmouth in 2010.  After a campaign by local residents, it was acquired by Portishead Town Council in 2012.  It was restored and re-sited on Wyndham Way in 2013.

Battery Point Bell on Wyndham Way

There is a Merchant Navy Memorial close to Battery Point Lighthouse with a brass plaque attached to it.  The words on the plaque are as follows:

“This stone is situated here at Battery Point, the closest place on the coast of the United Kingdom which large ships pass.

It is dedicated to seafarers of the West Country who, since the Middle Ages, on voyages of discovery and in times of peace and war, have passed this point, some never to return.

“Oh hear us when we cry to thee, for those in peril on the sea.”

Erected by the Merchant Navy Association North Somerset Branch, 2005”

Merchant Navy Memorial at Battery Point

Lynmouth to Porlock Overland Lifeboat Launch, 1899

On the afternoon of 12th January 1899 a storm arrived on the North Devon coast and wind speeds increase to force 8.  In the early evening, the RNLI Lynmouth Lifeboat crew received a telegraph message from Porlock informing them that a ship called the Forrest Hall was rudderless and in distress in Porlock Bay and requested their assistance.  Coxswain Jack Crocombe decided that it would be impossible to launch his twelve-oar lifeboat Louisa from Lynmouth, due to the high seas and then he announced to his surprised crew "We'll launch from Porlock".  They were unable to send a telegraph message back to Porlock to tell them this because the wires had blown down.

A team of up to 100 people, including Jack Crocombe and 13 lifeboat crewmen, and 18 borrowed horses were soon assembled and they set off to drag Louisa on her carriage 13 miles overland.  Their first challenge was the climb up Countisbury Hill - 300 metres in two miles and 1:4 in places.  Richard Moore, the lifeboat's signalman, and half a dozen men had been sent ahead with pickaxes and shovels to widen the road. On the way up Countisbury Hill one of the wheels came off Louisa's carriage but they managed to put it back on.  

Once the main party reached the top of Countisbury Hill, most of the volunteers turned back, leaving 20 men to haul the Louisa the rest of the way.  She was 10 metres long and weighed 10 tons.  At this time the road across the top of Exmoor was a muddy track.  At one point it was so narrow that Louisa had to be taken off her carriage and dragged on skids because the road could not be widened.  The carriage took a different route over the fields and re-joined them a mile further on. They also had to climb to a height of 420 metres above sea level and all the while it was raining and the gale continued to blow.

The team of men managed to successfully hold Louisa back when they were descending Porlock Hill (1:4 in places) but they had to break down part of someone's garden wall to get through. 

They arrived in Porlock Weir at 6.30am on 13th January.  Despite being very wet, tired and hungry, they immediately launched the Louisa and it took them an hour to row out to the Forrest Hall, which had anchored near Hurlstone Point.  They stood by the Forrest Hall until two tugs arrived when it got light.  The lifeboat crew helped get a rope from the tug to the ship and some of the lifeboatmen went aboard the Forrest Hall to help her crew raise their anchor.  The Forrest Hall was then towed to Barry, accompanied by the Louisa, in case there were any problems. Thanks to their actions, all 17 or 18 crew members of the Forrest Hall survived. 

They arrived in Barry at around 6pm and the crew of the Louisa were given dry clothes and food and accommodated in a hotel for the night. The following day they rowed back to Lynmouth, although they were towed part of the way by a steamer.  Louisa's carriage was hauled back to Lynmouth by road.

The 13 crew members received awards of £5 each.  The repair bill for the hire of horses and the rebuilding of walls was £118 17s: the owners of the Forrest Hall paid £75 of this.

The overland journey was re-enacted in 1999 by which time the roads had greatly improved but the weather hadn't.

Mosaic in a shelter on the seafront in Lynmouth depicting scenes from the overland journey and the rescue

Plaque commemorating Captain Jack Crocombe on The Captain's House, Lynmouth

Blue plaque on The Captain's House giving an account of the overland journey and the rescue 

The Captain's House, Lynmouth 

currently a B&B

Lynmouth Harbour

Porlock Weir

Black Nore Lighthouse

Black Nore Lighthouse was built on a coastal outcrop at Portishead by Trinity House in 1894.  Its purpose was to be a navigation aid for shipping heading for the port of Avonmouth or the River Avon.  There is no vehicular access to it – the lighthouse can only be accessed via the coastal footpath.   Links to the coastal footpath at Black Nore are available at the junction of Glenwood Rise & Nore Road and at the northern end of the cul-de-sac called Pinecroft.  

Despite its name, the lighthouse is painted white.  It is made of riveted cast iron, has six legs and is 11 metres high. The outcrop on which it was constructed, was built up with masonry to form a platform. There is a ladder underneath it, which leads up to an entrance hatch. Its lamp was originally powered by gas.  The mechanism had to be wound every day and this task was undertaken by members of the Ashford family, who lived nearby at Black Nore Farm.  The light was converted to electricity and automated in 1941, so that it could be switched off during air raids.  The winding and drive mechanisms were replaced by an electric motor in 2000. 

The lighthouse was decommissioned by Trinity House on 27th September 2010 and the internal mechanism was removed.  It was sold to a community interest company in October 2011 for £1. They have pledged to keep it as a monument on the coast for everyone to enjoy.  It has been a grade II listed building since June 2011.

Black Nore Lighthouse

Black Nore Lighthouse

The TH stands for Trinity House – this stone is located adjacent to the lighthouse

Black Nore Lighthouse

Dolphins in the River Parrett at Combwich

I'm not referring to the marine mammals, but to man-made marine structures, which are not usually connected to the shore and which are used to assist in the berthing or mooring of boats.  They are constructed at the entrance to a dock or along a pier, quay, wharf or beach. They usually consist of a number of piles, which are driven into the bed of a river or the sea and these can be made of wood, steel or concrete.

There are mooring and breasting dolphins and I think there are both types at Combwich.

Breasting dolphins help in the mooring of vessels by sharing some of the berthing load.  They also prevent vessels from hitting quays and can also be used as mooring points to restrict the longitudinal movement of berthing vessels.

Vessels are secured to mooring dolphins using ropes. Mooring dolphins also control the transverse movement of berthing vessels.

The dolphins at Combwich Pill were constructed in the late 1950s or 1960s when Hinkley Point A or B Nuclear Power Stations were being built.

The inner dolphins and finger jetty were due to be removed in 2019, as part of the redevelopment of Combwich Wharf to accommodate ships carrying materials for Hinkley C Nuclear Power Station. They are to be replaced by two new breasting dolphins.

Dolphins at the entrance to Combwich Wharf

Combwich Pill dolphins at low tide

Entrance to Combwich Pill at low tide

Dolphins at high tide, December 2022

The Port of Lilstock

In around 1820 Sir John Acland of Fairfield House near Stogursey built a boathouse on the beach at Lilstock where boats from South Wales could beach to bring in coal for domestic use on his estate and to burn in his lime kilns.  Pit props and lime were exported in return.  A few years later Sir John had a wooden house built at Lilstock, for his granddaughter Isabel to use, as her health was poor and her doctor prescribed sea air and light exercise.  He also built a promenade where she could walk or drive in her carriage.  

At around the same time the unnamed stream that entered the sea at Lilstock was diverted eastwards through an excavated stone lined channel with a lock gate at its seaward end, so water could be impounded.  This meant that boats could berth at high tide and be unloaded in a sheltered dock at all states of the tide.  When no boats were inside the dock, the lock gates could be opened quickly and the subsequent rush of water cleared the entrance of pebbles.

Trade increased and by 1848 a coastguard was living at Lilstock.  By 1855 the harbour also had its own customs officer.  Warehouses, a couple of houses and lime kilns were constructed on the landward side of the harbour and in 1860 a stone pier was built to protect the mouth of the harbour.  A small pavilion was built and in the 1860s and 1870s pleasure paddle steamers made regular stops at Lilstock.  There was a public house at Lilstock called the Limpet Shell.

Trade declined at the end of the 19th century and it was always a struggle to keep the harbour entrance clear of pebbles.  On 28th/29th December 1900 there was a big storm in the Bristol Channel, which badly damaged the pier and the shape of the beach was altered.  By the end of the First World War Lilstock Harbour had been abandoned.

The remains of the dock are still clearly visible, as are the ruins of the lime kilns and warehouses, although you have to battle through the undergrowth to reach them.  At low tide the remains of the pier and the stone breakwater beyond it can still be seen.

Pebble beach at Lilstock

The dock at Lilstock Harbour

Ruined warehouse at the back of the beach

Ruined warehouse at Lilstock Harbour

Ruined warehouse

Ruined warehouses

Remains of the pier at Lilstock Harbour at high tide

Remains of the pier at low tide

Pebbles across the entrance to the dock

Modern personal memorial cairn on the beach at Lilstock

Notice on the memorial cairn at Lilstock

Magnificent Murals

Murals brighten up our towns and villages.  Some have been painted by professional artists, others by students, self-taught artists or school children. 

My favourite mural is the one on the side of the Trading Post Shop at Lopen, which incorporates the Railway Carriage Café next door beautifully.  It really seems as if you are looking down a railway platform.  The mural was painted in 2013 by 24 year old local artist Camilla Yuill.

The Trading Post, Lopen

The Trading Post, Railway Carriage Café, Lopen

Sweep it under the carpet?

Eleos Café, 28 Fore Street, Chard

Quarry in the Mendips

I'm not entirely sure what this mural is meant to be of but I thought it was worth a photo.





King Size, Haydon Road,Taunton

I thought for a while it said King Sue but I think it is King Size!

We Will Remember Them

The King Size mural in Haydon Road, Taunton was replaced in November 2018 by this excellent mural to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War

We Will Remember Them, Haydon Road, Taunton

The Dolphin Pub, North Street, Wellington

The Dolphin Pub, North Street, Wellington

Larger than life otter, Tower Lane, Taunton

NB: He has disappeared since I took this photo - well otters do tend to be rather elusive!

Weston-Super-Mare has a large number of street art paintings, many of them painted by JPS (aka Jamie Scanlon) and a female street artist called Fawn.  There are so many that Visit Weston have produced an art trail leaflet featuring many of them.  I have yet to visit most of them but here are a few of them:

Tabby cat, Weston-Super-Mare

Sonic Boom by JPS, Colonel Stephens Way, Weston-super-Mare

Fawn by Fawn, Weston-Super-Mare

Terminator, Scally's Pub, Carlton Street

Balloon Girl, Scally's Pub, Carlton Street

Better than a Bear Wall, Richmond Street

Painted on a Dark Knight

Dangermouse - this is tiny and painted at the bottom of a pillar box on Marine Parade

 Gogo Girl, Greenfield Place
This painting originally made more sense, as there was a real chain across the front of the shop.  However the shop appears to have closed down.

Cat - in a shelter near Birnbeck Pier

Angel, Loves Café, West Street

Yoda, Weston Indoor Market, High Street

Ewok, Weston Indoor Market High Street

Hovercraft, Relish Café & Bar, West Street - this is tiny

Welcome to Dismaland, Relish Café & Bar, West Street

Relish Café & Bar, West Street - another tiny painting

Helicopter, Relish Café & Bar, West Street

Upturned police car, High Street

This painting is tiny

Corpse Bride, MT Games, Meadow Street

Predator, MT Games, Meadow Street

I wonder if he enjoyed his Costa takeaway coffee? 

Freddie Kruger, Burlington Street

Dark Wednesday, Cat and Spider at Behind Bars, Meadow Street

Spider, Behind Bars, Meadow Street

Balloon Girl, Alma Street

Tortoise and Pizza, Gloucester Street

Students on an Extension Studies course painted a wall in Knightstone Road, Weston-super-Mare in c2011.  The Paintjam Mural is very long and is a beach scene, which features some famous people from Weston-super-Mare e.g. Jeffrey Archer, John Cleese and Roald Dahl's BFG.

Jeffrey Archer and lifeboat on the Paintjam Mural

Paintjam Mural, Knightstone Road

John Cleese on Weston Pier

John Cleese and Jeffrey Archer

Paintjam Mural featuring Roald Dahl's BFG, Weston-Super-Mare

Soldier, Banwell

Portishead Lido

Portishead Open Air Swimming Pool

Dunster Village, Dunster Underpass

Dunster Castle, Dunster Underpass

Giraffic Park Bus Stop, Brean

Giraffic Park Bus Stop, Brean

Goddess Hall, Benedict Street, Glastonbury

Mural by Faye Suzannah in Beckery Road, Glastonbury

Parish churches of Street and its twin towns Notre Dame de Gravenchon in France and Isny im Allgau in Germany 

Map of Street showing places of interest in Street,      Leigh Road, Street

Clark's shoemaker, Leigh Road, Street

I noticed on a visit in December 2023 that the above murals in Leigh Road, Street are no longer there.  They have been replaced by the ones shown below.  These were commissioned by Street Parish Council, Street Library Trust and Mendip District Council.  They were painted by Jonathan Minshull and were unveiled in May 2022.

Shoemaking and Hay Harvesting

The left hand panel depicts the inside of C&J Clark's shoemaking factory in Street 1900-1910.  The right hand panel shows hay harvesting in Street 1860-1880.

Fossils in Quarry and Peat Cutting

The left hand panel depict the discovery of ichthyosaur fossils at one of the Street blue lias limestone quarries in the 1850s.  The right hand panel shows peat harvesting on the Somerset levels c1900.

Mural showing one of Street's twin towns?

Paddington Trust Farm, Glastonbury

Northload Street, Glastonbury

This mural, which features various Glastonbury landmarks and legends, has proved to be very controversial.  In 2015 homeowner Bill Knight commissioned a group of local artists to paint a mural on the side of his house, as he was fed up of graffiti being sprayed on it.  However his house is a listed building and Mendip Council initially refused retrospective planning permission for it, due to its colours, size and style.  3,500 people signed a petition asking for it to be allowed to stay and in August 2016 the council agreed that it could remain there for two years, after which time the case will be reviewed (it was still there in February 2025).  I like it: it is very Glastonbury!

In 2016 the grey concrete harbour wall of Watchet's Old Mineral Yard Car Park was brightened up with a giant mural depicting scenes from Watchet's history.  Watchet Arts Group had applied for a £21,000 grant from the Hinkley Point Community Impact Mitigation Fund to transform the harbour wall in to a heritage mural. but their application was turned down, so they invited self-taught local artist Pat Dennis to paint it.  The mural is 5 metres high and 30 metres long. The idea for the mural came from the late Tim Prior, who was formerly chairman of Watchet Arts Group.

Watchet Arts Group - Harbour Wall Mural

Railway at Watchet

Under sea creatures

St Decuman's Church, the Domesday Book and the Vikings

Watchet's maritime heritage

Iron Mines in the Brendon Hills

The Ancient Mariner's albatross merges with the real blue sky

Lady on Watchet Harbour wall

Nautical and agricultural mural on the garden wall of Esplanade House, Watchet

This mural was commissioned by Watchet Art Group and painted by local artist Pat Dennis in 2019.  

Esplanade House mural, Watchet

Watchet seafront

Under the sea mural on the Watchet Brownie and Guide HQ

Perchance to Dream Mural, The Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton

Mural in Manor House Road, Glastonbury by The Krumble Empire (Kim van Coels) and Sophie Alexi

Other end of the Manor House Road Mural, Glastonbury

 I couldn't get a better photo due to parked cars.

Adam & Eve by Frank Harwood, St Benedict's Close, Glastonbury

Moonlit Landscape by Xenz, Benedict Street, Glastonbury

Dahlias by John Minshull, Heart of the Tribe, High Street, Glastonbury

Globe Inn by Oksana Gaidasheva, Abbey Park Walk, Glastonbury

Bromeliads by Faye Suzannah, High Street, Glastonbury

Pilgrimage by Jon Minshull

This mural, which was painted in 2022, is located in the garden of the Royal Magdalene Almshouses, Glastonbury.

Giraffe by Jon Minshull, Meare

This mural was painted in January 2025.

A mural celebrating Bridgwater's history was completed in November 2017.  It was painted by local artist Rachel Gundry, with help from local residents.  It is located on the Broadway side of Blake Gardens, just to the south of the underpass.





Bridgwater Carnival

Admiral Blake, Blake Gardens, Town Hall and Town Bridge

Cornhill and St Mary's Church, Bridgwater

Skateboarder on the ramp access to the Red Brick Building, Beckery, Glastonbury by JPS

Facebook mural by Fawn - on the side of the Red Brick Building, Beckery, Glastonbury

(hanging out your dirty washing perhaps?)

Mural on a disused building adjacent to the Red Brick Building, Beckery, Glastonbury

Wildlife mural under the Tangier Way bridge, which crosses the River Tone in the centre of Taunton 

This section depicts French Weir, the willow cathedral, an egret, a water vole, an otter and some fish

Tangier Way bridge wildlife mural showing the old town bridge, another otter and a pair of mallard ducks

Cricket meets recycling!

Mural on the side of the Viridor offices in Priory Bridge Road, Taunton

Canal mural at Maunsel Lock on the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal

The Willow Man and Glastonbury Tor on a "temporary" mural Castle Street/Tangier Way Taunton 

Dunster Castle and the West Somerset Railway on the "temporary" mural wall in Castle Street/Tangier Way, Taunton

Taunton Marathon mural - Castle Street/Tangier Way, Taunton

Unofficial? mural under the Trenchard Way River Tone bridge

Magpie's Nest shop, Benedict Street, Glastonbury

Magpie's Nest shop, Benedict Street, Glastonbury

Wildwood mural, just off Glastonbury High Street

Stik Mural, just off Glastonbury High Street

Hares' Moon, Hill Head, Glastonbury

North Street, Wiveliscombe

Rainbow Walkway, Goodland Gardens, Taunton

Decorated shipping container next to Fiddington Church

Shipping Container, Fiddington Church

Cow mural, Great Elm

Giant flower mural on the side of a house at Stathe Farm, to the south east of Burrowbridge

Mural depicting  Watchet Harbour in Anchor Street, Watchet

Kingsmead School, Wiveliscombe

This mural, which is on display outside the science block at Kingsmead school was painted in 2019 by year 8 art students, as part of their Challenge Week.  It focusses on the school's core values of Aspiration, Care, Respect and Determination. The images represent every subject and support area available to students at the school.  It is 16 feet high and 12 feet wide.

Otter, French Weir, Taunton

Foot & Gait Clinic, Bridge Street, Taunton

Foot and Gait Clinic, Bridge Street, Taunton

Orange tree mural, The Quarter Restaurant, Lower Middle Street, Taunton

Wellington themed mural, Courtfields School, Wellington

This mural features various Wellington landmarks, including the water towers, monument, former mills, Wellesley Cinema and the fire station

Queen Elizabeth II mural, pedestrian bridge over the railway line, Station Road, Wellington

This colourful mural was commissioned by Wellington Town Council from Taunton based Aerosol Art to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022.  It features key events that took place during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, including Concorde, the Moon landings, the opening of the Channel Tunnel, the cloning of Dolly the sheep, the death of Princess Diana, the marriage of William and Kate, the 2012 London Olympics and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Beatles Abbey Road album

Concorde and the Moon Landings

The release from prison of Nelson Mandela, the opening of the Channel Tunnel and Spice Girls' Girl Power

The cloning of Dolly the sheep

Golden Jubilee 2002 and the marriage of William & Kate

London Olympics and the Covid-19 pandemic

Platinum Jubilee 2022

East Reach, Taunton

Triptych Mural, North Street, Wiveliscombe

Cockerel by Irony, Sultan's Kebab House, Weston-super-Mare

This was painted for the Weston Wallz Project 2021

Mural by Dan Kitchener, Regent Street, Weston-super-mare

This was painted for the Weston Wallz Project 2021

Flamingo by Sian Storey, Oxford Corner Cafe, Weston-super-Mare

This was painted for the Weston Wallz Project 2022

Seals & goldfish by Curtis Hylton, Oxford Corner, Weston-super-Mare

This was painted for Weston Wallz Project 2022.  I think the seals look more like sea lions.

Let it Shine by Mishfit, Knightstone Island, Weston-super-Mare

This was painted for the Weston Wallz Project 2023

Cheshire Cat? by Vza, back of the RNLI shop, Weston-super-Mare

Red Arrows mural, North Petherton Memorial Park

Keep Calm and Carry On mural, North Petherton Memorial Park

It's a shame about the spelling mistake!

Luttrell Arms, Dunster

Mother Nature, Orchard Multi-storey Car Park, Paul Street, Taunton

This mural was spray-painted by Sam Gaden of Aerosol Art in June 2024 as part of a project by Go Create and Rights Community Action.

Snowdon Hill Toll House, Bath Street, Chard

I presume the initials painted on the right hand side are those of the artists?

Forefront Community Centre & Church, Fore Street, Chard

John Stringfellow's triplane is shown at the top.

Forefront Community Centre, Fore Street, Chard

This mural was painted by Jordon Lauder from The Mural Company in 2023.

Isaiah Ch40 v31 "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

George Street, Taunton

This was painted by Sam Gaden of Aerosol Art.

Woolavington Bus Stop

This mural was designed and painted by Karon Woodward in 2020.

The following quartet of murals were created by Sam of Aerosol Art for Taunton Independent Quarter:

Flower mural, Lower Middle Street, Taunton

Vines and wines!

 The Little Wine Shop, Social Wine Bar & Tapas, Riverside Place, Taunton

Nicky's Flower Studio, Foundry Road, Taunton

Gulls eating chips

Howards Fish and Chips shop, St James Street, Taunton

Taunton Pride, Debenhams, North Street

Pickney Farm Alpacas

Pickney Farm Alpacas

Spanish dancer, Bath Place, Taunton

Same door in Bath Place, Taunton, October 2025

The Spanish lady has been replaced with a scene, which is more in keeping with the restaurant to which the door belongs - Islands serves Caribbean food.

Victoria Gate Public House, Taunton

High Street, Taunton

I think this mural looks a bit like a Clarice Cliff design.

RNLI Mural, Burnham-on-Sea

This was painted by Aidan Ryan in 2022.

"Hope Springs Eternal", High Street, Burnham-on-Sea

This was painted by local artist Damian Nicholson in 2022.

Chameleon eating an ice cream, Burnham-on-Sea

Congresbury Youth Partnership building

Strawberry Line, Yatton Railway Station

This mural was painted by Clevedon based artist Damien Jeffery and was unveiled in January 2023.  It features a siskin, a kingfisher, strawberries, apples, a GWR steam train, a spaniel and a bicycle. It is painted on a container belonging to Strawberry Line Cycle Hire.

Strawberry Line, Yatton Railway Station

Orca and Turtle, Knightstone Road, Weston-super-Mare

This mural was painted by Martin Darcy.

Fragile, Lower Church Road, Weston-super-Mare

This was painted on the side wall of The Strange Catch by My Dog Sighs as part of the 2023 Weston Wallz.

Great tit and chips by Aspire, Station Road, Weston-super-Mare

Hatcher's, Taunton

This mural in Pig Market Lane was painted in April 2025 by Sam Gaden of Aerosol Art to mark Hatcher's 250th anniversary.  The company was founded as a drapery business in 1775 by William Hatcher.

East Quay, Watchet

East Quay, Watchet

Weston, Clevedon and Portishead Railway, Salthouse Fields, Clevedon

Salthouse Fields, Clevedon

This mural was painted by local artist Damien Jeffrey.  It features Clevedon Pier, clocktower, bandstand and a steam engine from the Weston, Clevedon & Portishead Railway.

Kingfisher mural, High Street, Midsomer Norton

This mural was painted by Andy Council in 2025.

Dave Ilsley and his dog Penny, Lynton Road,       

Burnham-on-Sea

Mr Ilsley lived in Burnham-on-Sea and was a member of many local groups.  He died in 2020.  This mural of him was painted by Diff, a street artist from Bristol, in 2021.

Eastover Shopping Centre, Bridgwater

This mural, which was painted in June 2025, was designed with input from local residents. It depicts scenes connected to Bridgwater's history and its carnival.  It was painted by Bristol artist Tom Sledmore.

Eastover Shopping Centre

Brick Mural, Bridgwater

Brick Mural, Bridgwater

This patchwork of brightly painted bricks at the junction of St John Street and Broadway in Bridgwater, was created by local community groups and individuals in July 2025.  There are around 2,300 painted bricks. It was organised by the Brick Project Community Interest Company and was funded through the Bridgwater Town Deal.

The Bird in Hand pub, North Curry

This was painted by Aerosol Art in July 2025.

Canal Mural, West Street Garden, Bridgwater

This mural was designed by Madeline Rossiter from Haygrove School.  It was painted in June 2015 by an art teacher and pupils from Haygrove and other local school.  Tex Freeman, a local policeman, created the garden in 2014 and organised the mural project.

Fairground Mural, West Street Garden, Bridgwater

This mural was sponsored by the Showmen's Guild and was painted by local school children in 2014.

Victoria Park, Frome

This mural, which was commissioned by Frome Town Council in late 2025, depicts bees pollinating flowers and plants.  It was painted by aerosol artist Jody Thomas, who is based in Bristol.