Hamstone Villages in Somerset: Style in Stone
South Somerset is defined by its Hamstone villages, among the most characterful villages in Somerset. The warm honey-gold limestone quarried for centuries at Ham Hill gives the area a distinctive look and a shared architectural character.
For anyone considering a move to Somerset, the Hamstone villages offer countryside calm, commutable links, and access to good schools. They are set amongst the rolling Somerset countryside, yet enjoy easy links via train or road to London or south to Devon and Cornwall.
Exploring the villages in Somerset for your Hamstone home
Here we feature ten Hamstone villages in Somerset, highlighting their setting, character, and amenities, all of which make them attractive places to live.
Montacute
Montacute is best known for the Elizabethan Montacute House, part of a National Trust estate. Widely regarded as one of the finest surviving Elizabethan houses in the country, it is surrounded by formal gardens and parkland.
The house sits on the edge of the village, where medieval lanes are lined with stone houses and the parish church of St Catherine stands as a landmark.
The setting of the village is picturesque, with rolling hills leading into Ham Hill Country Park. It has an Iron Age hillfort and sweeping views across South Somerset.
The village has a traditional village shop, a post office, and a village pub, The King’s Arms.
Odcombe
Odcombe is a smaller village of early stone farmhouses and thatched cottages. The Masons Arms is its focal point, combining pub, dining, and accommodation.
While Odcombe itself is quiet, Montacute and Yeovil are close for shops, schools, and healthcare, making it a popular choice for homebuyers searching the villages in Somerset for a peaceful but convenient location.
Local lanes and footpaths weave through rolling farmland, making country walks a natural part of life.
Chilthorne Domer
Chilthorne Domer blends historic Hamstone houses with more recent homes that respect the local style. It has a primary school, village hall, recreation ground, and the Carpenters Arms pub.
East Coker
East Coker combines rural history with a notable literary link: T. S. Eliot’s ashes rest in the 12th-century church of St Michael & All Angels, celebrated in his Four Quartets.
The village has a shop and post office, a primary school, and The Helyar Arms, a popular country pub. Footpaths lead through orchards and fields, reflecting centuries of agriculture.
Yeovil is a short drive away for supermarkets, health services, and trains to London Waterloo and Exeter.
Hinton St George
Hinton St George centres on a square of 17th-century Hamstone houses and a fine church tower. The Lord Poulett Arms, with award-winning food and rooms, is complemented by a community-run shop and post office.
A busy village hall supports markets and events. Just five miles away, Crewkerne offers secondary schooling, larger supermarkets, and a railway station with direct services to London Waterloo.
For a small village, Hinton St George offers a strong balance of heritage and everyday convenience.
Norton-sub-Hamdon
Norton-sub-Hamdon sits below Ham Hill, the quarry that gave these villages their defining stone. Amenities include a village shop and post office, Lord Nelson pub, primary school, and a recreation ground used by sports and social groups.
From the centre, footpaths rise quickly to Ham Hill Country Park and its panoramic views.
Stoke-sub-Hamdon
Stoke-sub-Hamdon is one of the larger Hamstone villages and has long been a working settlement, once known for quarrying and glove-making.
The Memorial Hall and sports clubs provide community facilities, and the village borders Ham Hill Country Park for easy access to green space. The nearby A303 makes travel east toward London or west to Devon straightforward.
The Prince of Wales pub sits high on Ham Hill and is known for its panoramic views across the Somerset countryside.
It is a favourite spot for walkers and visitors exploring the park. In recent years, the village community has also raised funds to improve local recreation areas, including a new skate park and play area.
South Petherton
South Petherton functions as a small market town and is well provided for. The high street features a range of independent shops, including a butcher, bakery and deli, as well as a small supermarket, library and medical centre.
There are also cafés and restaurants, notably Holm, a Michelin-recommended restaurant on North Street known for its seasonal menus and understated style.
Two primary schools (infants and junior) are well regarded here, and The David Hall hosts regular community events and markets. The church of St Peter and St Paul is widely noted for its unusually tall octagonal tower.
The A303 runs just south of the village, giving easy road links to Taunton, Yeovil, and London.
West Chinnock & Middle Chinnock
These two neighbouring hamlets share a parish and lie in a quiet valley setting. West Chinnock has a primary school, a village hall, and The Muddled Man Inn, while Middle Chinnock is more residential, its lanes framed by fields and old orchards.
For bigger shops, secondary schools, and medical services, Crewkerne and South Petherton are within a ten-minute drive.
Tintinhull
Tintinhull is known for the National Trust’s Tintinhull Garden, a series of carefully designed garden rooms that draw visitors year-round. The village is also home to St Margaret’s C.E.V.A. Primary School and a village hall.
The quiet lanes and orchards give Tintinhull a restful character while remaining well-connected.
Living among the Hamstone villages in Somerset
Together, these villages combine history, landscape, and practical day-to-day living.
Some, such as South Petherton, Stoke-sub-Hamdon, Norton-sub-Hamdon, and Hinton St George, offer a broad range of services within the village itself, from shops and schools to cafés and active community halls.
Others, like Montacute, East Coker, and Odcombe, focus on heritage and peaceful settings, with the services of Yeovil or Crewkerne close by.
Beyond the villages themselves, Somerset’s cultural and educational reach also adds appeal. Alice Temperley, a designer originally from Somerset, maintains a flagship boutique and workshop in Ilminster.
In close proximity to the villages lies Sherborne School, one of England’s most historic boarding schools in nearby Dorset, for families seeking prestigious education options.
Transport connections are convenient. The nearby A303 provides fast links to London and west to Devon. Mainline trains from Yeovil Junction and Crewkerne reach London Waterloo in around 2¼ to 3 hours, depending on service and time of day. Bristol Airport is around an hour’s drive.
Searching the villages in Somerset for your perfect home
At Garrington, we understand the subtle differences that shape a buying decision, from where morning light falls to how paths connect to the countryside or schools.
Our local knowledge and network of contacts can help you find and secure the right home, including opportunities that may not be widely advertised, and guide you through every stage of the purchase.
Contact Garrington to begin your property search. We would be delighted to help.
Further reading: Best places to live in Somerset
