As you sip your locally-roasted coffee and look out of the window of the café, Mes Amis, you’d be forgiven for thinking that this village has a typical feel about it. Parents are mingling after the morning school run, and dogs are leading their owners along footpaths to Orchardleigh Park for their morning constitutional. All sounds pretty normal? Yes, but...I have been chatting to my fellow café patrons and what I have unearthed is that there is a lot more to Beckington that you’d ever initially realise!

For starters, from an architectural perspective, there aren’t that many villages in our county that has its own castle. More than 500 years old, Beckington Castle has been home to many an aristocratic family over the years and more latterly, has switched use from a hotel, to a school before now hosting a company which focuses on our country’s maritime defence. It’s a striking building which, as you enjoy a wander through the village, compliments the stone houses which nod to times of the pre-industrial revolution where wealth was brought to Beckington as a result of the wool trade. Then, from the driveway of the castle, you’ll just be able to catch sight of a building called the Wool Hall, and this is where the atypicality of the village really starts to ramp up! During the 16th century, wool was exhibited here for trade, but in more recent and arguably more exciting history, this unassuming hall has actually played a pivotal role in the UK’s music scene!

It turns out that a lot of famous feet have been seen walking through Beckington over the years, with musicians such as Tears for Fears, Van Morrison, Paul Weller and The Stereophonics all recording albums here. More recently, the studio has changed hands and been turned into a private home, but thankfully the musical heritage continues with songwriter and music producer Luke Potashnick and his family taking up residence. Luke welcomes many well-known artists to Somerset to create their music. ‘Musicians love it in Beckington, it has a real ‘Cotswold’ feel and the artists are so comfortable here. And as a family, we love the village for its unique community spirit - we all help one another and we’re all just a phone call away.’

As if the thought of Katie Melua or Paloma Faith ordering a wild rice and hazelnut salad from Mes Amis wasn’t enough to be star struck by, my visit to Ivy House Farm uncovers another reason which demonstrates that the stellar appeal of our county reaches far beyond our borders. I am welcomed by Geoff Bowles who, along with his family, actively farms 150 acres with a herd of a hundred Jersey cows. Going organic in 1998 led to a production of unhomogenised milk which in addition to being sold in Harrods, Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason is also granted with the Royal Warrant of Appointment. Yes, you have guessed it, King Charles drinks milk lovingly made in Beckington, Somerset.

Dine in Beckington all day

In addition to the village café, Beckington also has two pubs plus the regionally renowned White Row farm shop. With an onsite fishmonger, butcher, cheese counter and deli you can be rest assured that your fridge will be well stocked with local produce when you visit Heather and Steve Tucker’s farm. Open Monday to Saturday you can also savour their award-winning fish and chips, cooked in beef dripping!

Did you know?

In the 1600’s it was documented by the English antiquary John Aubrey, that ‘Carrots were first sown at Beckington in Somersetshire. Some very old man there did remember their first bringing hither."

Population

983 ( Office National Statistics 2014)

Stay or buy?

A three-bedroom stone cottage with inglenook fireplace is available in the heart of the village. Decorated with a neutral palette, the exposed beam in the kitchen compliments the modern appliances to create a stylish, yet cosy looking home. £580,000 (Cobb Farr, Bradford on Avon office)

Luxury self-catering holidays are available at Pears Cottage and Lavender Cottage. Welcomed with homemade cake, the holiday homes come complete with wood burner and are dog friendly. bluegooseholidays.com