History

A brief history of the area.

The Nettlebridge Valley contains the earliest evidence of human occupation in the Parish with artefacts dating from 2500BC found in a cave in Cockles Wood.

The Parish has as its eastern boundary the Roman Fosse Way and is crossed by another Roman Road running from Charterhouse to Old Sarum (Salisbury).

Ashwick was part of the Kilmersdon hundred (an area so called from their containing one hundred families or by being able to supply one hundred able bodied men whenever they were required for the service of their monarch in time of war) and its church, St James' was a chapel of ease under Kilmserdon. The site of the original church is still represented by the tower, which appers to date from the 15th century although the church was almost completely rebuilt in 1825, when it became independent.

The Pound at Ashwick is also mentioned in the history of Kilmersdon and predates 1632. All Saints Church in Oakhill was built in 1861 and consecrated in 1862.

Coombe House, at the eastern end of Oakhill High Street, is mentioned in documents dating from 1366 and appears to be the oldest property in the Parish, although it is not known if any of the original building remains.

Mr John Billingsley, who built Ashwick Grove and founded the Oakhill Brewery, wrote a book on agriculture in Somerset which gives a picture of life in his time. The book was published in 1797.

For further information please see 'Clubs and Societies' - the Oakhill and Ashwick History Group.