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A bit about Montacute

(Image of Montacute from the south, copyright R. Bosson 2021).


Montacute is a picturesque village in South Somerset, known for its golden-coloured hamstone houses, rich history, and scenic countryside. At its centre is Montacute House, a grand Elizabethan mansion owned by the National Trust, renowned for its extensive portrait collection. The village’s history spans centuries, from the remains of Montacute Priory to the legends of St Michael’s Hill and its iconic tower.

St Michael’s Hill

One of the most notable features of Montacute is St Michael’s Hill, which rises prominently above the village. The hill is crowned by a Georgian hamstone tower, a key landmark visible for miles around. The hill plays a central role in the Legend of the Holy Cross, further enhancing its historical significance. You can find more details about the tower on the St Michael's Hill and Montacute Tower page, and explore nearby routes on the Circular Walks Around Montacute page.

Below: Photograph of Yeovil Road, Montacute, showing the Tower on St Michael's Hill dominating the village (Photo copyright R. Bosson 2023).

Colour photo taken looking westwards along Yeovil road from just after Montacute Garage. The left side of the road is lined with sand-coloured hamstone houses and also parked cars. Ahead (where the road bears round to the right) there are more houses and also two on the right side. Looming over the scene is St Michael’s Hill topped by the tall hamstone tower. The sky is blue and there are no leaves on the deciduous trees on the hill, giving the impression of a bright and crisp winter’s day. The photo is signed ‘Becky B’ in the bottom right corner.


Population and Life Expectancy

A 2009 study found that Montacute residents had the longest life expectancy in England; residents attribute their longevity to growing their own fruit and vegetables. 

In 2021, the population was 865, not far from the 827 inhabitants recorded in 1800. This represents a relatively stable population over the last couple of centuries, with historical records showing a taxable population of 87 adults in 1377, a peak of around 1,150 in the mid-1800s, and a gradual decline to today’s levels.

Below: graph showing Montacute’s population trend alongside data for Somerset and South Somerset.

Graph with with year (starting at 1377 then jumping to 1801 with 10-yearly increments to 2021) along the x-axis. Population (range 0 to 1200) is along the y-axis. 3 sets of data are plotted: Montacute population, Somerset population x1000, and South Somerset population x1000. Montacute population (blue markers) is around 850 in 1800, peaking at around 1150 in 1840, dropping to around 700 in 1911, and now around 850. Somerset population (brown markers) is plotted from approx. 450,000 in 1901 to approx. 900,000 in 2011. South Somerset population (grey markers) rises from around 160,000 in 2001 to approx. 190,000 in 2011.


Historical Continuity

One of the most interesting aspects of Montacute is the continuity of surnames in the village. Records from the 19th century censuses, and earlier estate documents from the Phelips family of Montacute House, show that many family names have remained in the area for centuries. This continuity contributes to the village's strong sense of historical identity.

Montacute in Film and TV

Montacute’s historic architecture has made it a popular filming location. In 1995, the village was featured in Ang Lee’s adaptation of Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. Montacute House and its gardens stood in for the Cleveland estate (Charlotte’s residence), while parts of Montacute Borough were used as scenic backdrops. Some local residents even had the chance to appear as extras, and photographs from the set can still be seen on display in The Phelips Arms.

Below: Photograph showing Ang Lee's vision of how the Borough might have looked in the late 1700s:

Colour photo of Montacute Borough viewed looking south with the Phelips on the left and the Milk House ahead. The picture has been screen-shotted from Ang Lee's 1995 film 'Sense and Sensibility'. There are pens containing sheep in the Borough and a man is leading a cow along the road while someone else leads 2 goats. There are stalls along the left-hand side of the road. People are browsing the stalls and standing in the Borough; dress is late 18th century.


In 2015, Montacute House was used as a filming location for the BBC drama Wolf Hall, where it stood in for Henry VIII’s Greenwich Palace, complete with royal tents and jousting scenes in the grounds. More recently, the house featured in an episode of The White Princess, a mini-series adaptation of Philippa Gregory’s novel.

And it seems that Montacute House isn’t just a star in its own right—one of its Jacobean four-poster beds had a "supporting role" for Johnny Depp in the 2004 film The Libertine.


Next Steps: Discover More About Montacute

If you’re intrigued by Montacute’s history, why not explore more?