Growing up in this beautiful village, I was always curious about the people who lived here before us and the stories they left behind. With its ancient origins, medieval mysteries, and local battles, Montacute's history is extraordinary.
At the heart of the village is
Montacute House, a masterpiece of Elizabethan architecture and
the first National Trust property to be opened to the public. Overlooking the village is St Catherine's Hill, a site occupied and visited for over a thousand years. Once crowned by
a Norman Castle, it's now topped by an imposing hamstone tower, and locals speak of a secret passage leading from there into the village.
Montacute’s past stretches back to pre-Christian England, with archeological finds in the parish ranging from a
Paleolithic hand axe to
Roman coin hoards. Then there's the
legend of the Holy Cross, links to
Joseph of Arimathea, possible connections to
Macbeth and even to the legendary
King Arthur. Fact or fable? We may never know - but it's fun to explore the evidence!
Scroll down to uncover snippets from Montacute’s past—a
local hero who strove to lift villagers from poverty, another who
overcame adversity to compose music and poetry, and darker tales too, from the
brutal punishment of a highwayman to the sad fate of a
16th-century Montacute martyr—was he really attacked by frogs?
Highlighted text shows clickable links. Whether you’re a local, a visitor, or just curious, dive in! Explore the stories and
browse the photos of Montacute past and present. Huge thanks to everyone who helped piece this together—and if you’ve got more information or spot an error, please let me know. There’s always more to uncover.
LATEST UPDATES TO THE SITE:
January 2025 -
Jousts at Montacute 1964 on my page about Conan of Montacute, more info about
Montacute Railway Station, and preliminary analysis of development of
Montacute Borough