A town frozen in time, an hour from Bristol, that looks like it hasn’t changed in 600 years

The picturesque UK market town of Axbridge in Somerset looks as if it has been frozen in time, seemingly unchanged for 600 years. This charming town is dotted with stunning Tudor timber-framed properties, a historic church and narrow streets reminiscent of medieval times.

Many of the buildings predate Christopher Columbus’ voyage to America in 1492, but Axbridge’s history stretches back even further, linked to the rich mineral deposits found in the nearby Mendip Hills. The Romans mined lead from these hills, and before their arrival, prehistoric people exploited the geology to extract flint for tools and weapons.

Adding to the town’s historic charm, famous comedian Frankie Howerd, known for his role in the acclaimed BBC series Up Pompeii!, was a notable local resident, the Express reports.

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Axbridge received a royal charter in 1202 when King John sold most of the royal manor of Cheddar to the Bishop of Bath and Wells. During the Tudor period, the town flourished as a cloth manufacturing centre, reflected in its early royal documents which allowed it to hold markets and fairs, thus becoming a royal quarter.

The town even had its own mint, producing coins bearing the town symbol, the lamb and flag, which is also the name of one of the local pubs. The River Ax was navigable to the wharves at Axbridge, allowing global trade.

Today, visitors can immerse themselves in Axbridge’s rich history by visiting the local museum and the National Trust’s King John’s Hunting Lodge, a stunning timber-framed building.

For those wanting a taste of the local culture, the Blackberry Carnival takes place every September and the famous Axbridge Pageant takes place once every decade, with the next scheduled for 2030.

Despite its town status, Axbridge has a population of just 2,000, making it the smallest town in the South West of England and one of the smallest in the UK.