‘If you’re looking for a true Somerset village, you’ve found it!’ says Mike Bradshaw, Artistic Director of the Stogursey Arts Trust. ‘Our village is a little oasis of creativity and quite surprisingly so…’

Some might say, a well-stocked village shop, a good pub, or perhaps even a Post Office are the key essentials for a thriving village lifestyle (and you’d find those here as par for the course) but Stogursey, with its plethora of events, sports clubs, and community groups seems to rise above the rest with the community embracing a major focus on art. 

‘We use art as a catalyst for social regeneration, our arts festival is now in its eighth year and every year it emerges and comes together organically with great success.  We never would have imagined it but even estate agents are detailing our arts festival in their particulars when they sell local houses!’

This positivity for the village is also mirrored when speaking with Pauline Kaye who moved to Stogursey 11 years ago with her husband Tim, and both of them are also involved in the Arts Trust. 

‘We have such a friendly community here which is so important for well-being. Since moving here, I can honestly say that my health has improved – it’s been the best thing we ever did. I am hugely pro-Stogursey!’ 

The forthcoming festival will feature many creative projects one of which is a ‘tree of life for love, loss and joy’, Pauline says. ‘So many people were affected by Covid in so many different ways so this project will create five seasons, the fifth being ‘a re-emergence of spring’. We acknowledge the ups and downs, the set-backs and separations but together with our creations, and our incredible floral displays, we want to show that there is always joy and hope to be found.’

The overriding tone from all the villagers I speak with is incredibly up-beat. On calling into the Post Office and chatting with Allen Robins it’s also clear to see that the relationship between the villagers and Hinkley Point, just one and a half miles away, is crucial to the prosperity of the village. ‘It’s a big employer for us now and will be well into the future. EDF has helped to fund many projects, our new village hall included.’ As if on cue, the familiar sighting of the white Hinkley bus passes through the village as employees commute to and from the site. ‘Some locals rent out their spare rooms to contractors and they in turn use our shops and eateries which all helps to boost our local economy.’  

Visitors to Stogursey have also increased as more of us Brits are keen to get out and explore our footpaths. With the recent opening of new sections of the England Coast Path and the promotion of the Castles and Coast Way footpath, hikers are keen to visit the enchanting yellow thatched castle gatehouse which is synonymous with Stogursey. It certainly transports you back in time and it is even said to have played a part in the War of the Roses.

Thirsty hikers are also enticed to St Andrew’s Well which features two natural springs in the centre of the village. Mike could tell me that the medieval well waters are naturally sourced from an aquifer from the River Severn with waters passing all the way from the Brecon Beacons. ‘Some locals say the waters have healing powers and use it for drinking water but personally, I prefer to use it to brew my own beer!’ 

POPULATION
1385 (2011 Census)

STAY OR BUY
Be the King or Queen of your very own castle as you sleep in the Stogursey Castle gatehouse surrounded by your very own moat. landmarktrust.org.uk
A four-bedroom semi-detached character cottage with inglenook fireplace and exposed beams is on the market for £375,000 (Gibbins Richards, Bridgwater office).

TRADITIONAL REGIONAL FOLKLORE
With pixies said to be inhabit ancient underground ancestral sites, a local Stogursey legend says that Wick Barrow is also known as Pixie’s Mound ever since a farmer spotted one of the mythical creatures there. It is believed that the pixie had broken his wooden shovel, known as a ‘peel’ which was used for putting loaves into old-fashioned ovens. The farmer fixed the tool for the pixie, and in doing so received a hot baked cake and good luck for the rest of his life – a known reward for doing a pixie a good turn!