Town Profiles » Shepton Mallet
Shepton Mallet
"Shepton Mallet is a combination of ancient market town and modern industrial community."
The town has an interesting history dating back to Roman times, and it became a centre for the wool trade in the Middle Ages, which has left a legacy of fine merchants' houses and other interesting features, including a handsome market place.
Archaeologists uncovered a significant number of Roman artefacts in the early 1990s at a site adjacent to the nearby Fosse Way.
Shepton Mallet is home to two cider producers. One is Europe's largest cider plant producing Blackthorn Cider, Gaymer's Olde English cider and Babycham; and the other is Brothers Drinks who produce pear cider.
Engineering, haulage, food processing and computer software development are significant secondary industries with the headquarters of an internationally renowned luxury fashion goods manufacturer located here.
A significant attraction is provided at Kilver Court which offers visits of the landscaped 'Babycham' gardens, a farm shop, cafe, regular events and a designer clothes outlet.
Vistors and residents can make use the well-equipped leisure centre and an outdoor lido which has an innovative sustainable heating system provided using excess heat from the Brothers Drinks site.
Shepton's historic town centrehas a range of business services, cafes and restaurants, vintage and antique shops. The town also has a weekly Friday market held in the market place.
There is a large retail park on the edge of the town centre with a selection of national retailers that draws large numbers of shoppers.
In 2010, Wall to Wall Productions filmed Turn Back Time: The HIgh Street in Shepton Mallet's historic market place. This BBC series was a living experiment in shopping spanning from Victorian times to the 1970s.
Just three miles to the south of the town is the Royal Bath and West Showground which is host to events throughout the year. The most famous is the Royal Bath and West Show and other events include The National Amateur Garden Show and South West TruckFest.
At nearby Pilton, the Glastonbury Festival takes place in June drawing thousands of people into the area to enjoy Europe's largest outdoor festival.
