Downhead is a small village and civil parish in Somerset, tucked on the eastern slopes of the Mendip Hills. The settlement sits amid rolling limestone farmland and pasture, with a network of bridleways and footpaths popular with walkers and offering wide views across the surrounding countryside.
Historically an agricultural community with links to small‑scale quarrying and mining, Downhead retains a scattering of stone cottages and a historic parish church; local life revolves around farming, a close‑knit community and occasional village events, while many residents commute to nearby towns such as Frome or Wells. The area's limestone grassland and quiet character make it attractive to nature lovers and those seeking a peaceful rural base in Somerset.
Postcode districts covering Downhead
Most populated places nearby
- Bristol 18.6 miles30 km
- Bath 12.1 miles19.5 km
- Weston-super-Mare 23.7 miles38.2 km
- Kingswood and Fishponds 18 miles29 km
- Yeovil 20.5 miles32.9 km
- Trowbridge 12.9 miles20.7 km
- Chipping Sodbury 22.7 miles36.5 km
- Chippenham 22.2 miles35.6 km
- Yate 23.1 miles37.1 km
- Frome 3.5 miles5.6 km
- Portishead 23.8 miles38.3 km
- Burnham-on-Sea 23.9 miles38.5 km
Neighbouring places
- Mendip Central and East Ward 1 mile1.7 km
- Leigh-on-Mendip Parish 1.1 miles1.7 km
- Cranmore Parish 1.9 miles3.1 km
- Stoke St. Michael Built-up area 2 miles3.2 km
- Wanstrow Parish 2.2 miles3.5 km
- Coleford Built-up area 2.3 miles3.6 km
- Whatley Parish 2.7 miles4.3 km
- Holcombe Built-up area 2.8 miles4.5 km
- Mells Built-up area 2.9 miles4.6 km
- Frome Built-up area 3.5 miles5.6 km
- Buckland Down Built-up area 3.6 miles5.8 km
- Doulting Parish 3.7 miles5.9 km
Example postcodes in Downhead
BA4 4SQ, BA4 4LG, BA4 4LH, BA4 4LQ, BA3 5QX
Transport links
- Bristol Airport 17 miles27.3 km
- Bournemouth Airport 39.5 miles63.5 km
- Cranmore Railway Station 2.3 miles3.7 km
- Cranmore West Railway Station 2.6 miles4.2 km
Hotels near Downhead Ad
- The Old Red Lion 5.7 miles9.1 km
- The George Inn 3 2.7 miles4.4 km
- Best Western Plus Centurion Hotel 4 4.9 miles7.8 km
- The Foresters 8 miles12.8 km
- The Shrubbery Hotel 4.9 miles7.8 km
- The Sheep and Penguin 9.2 miles14.8 km
- Montigo Resorts, Somerset 4 4.1 miles6.5 km
- The Hunters Rest Inn 4 9.7 miles15.6 km
- Cameley Lodge - Self Catering 3 9 miles14.5 km
- The Swan Hotel, Wells, Somerset 4 8.9 miles14.3 km
Local points of interest
- Orchardleigh Estate Historic site 6.3 miles10.1 km
- King Alfred's Tower Historic site 7.3 miles11.8 km
- Longleat Country house 7.3 miles11.8 km
- Stourhead Estate 8.9 miles14.3 km
- Wincanton Racecourse Recreation 10 miles16.1 km
- Mendip Hills Hill 10.1 miles16.2 km
- Oaks of Avalon Archaeological site 11.3 miles18.3 km
- Twerton Park Stadium 11.9 miles19.1 km
- Roman Baths Historic site 12.4 miles19.9 km
- Chalice Well Gardens 12.4 miles20 km
- Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution Museum 12.5 miles20.1 km
- Jane Austen Centre Museum 12.5 miles20.2 km