Local History - Westhay

Westhay lies to the west of Meare. It was here in 1973 that the "Sweet Track" was discovered. The track is thought to date from around 4000 BC and is the oldest man-made walkway in the world. Its original construction was of hewn timbers and ran across the Levels from the Polden Ridge to the Isle of Westhay. As the original track is not open to the public, a reconstruction of it was formerly found at the Peat Moors Centre. Unfortunately, owing to budget cuts, this has now closed.

Westhay has a particular significance for me. Not only did my Gran and her family originate here, but many of our ancestors who subsequently emigrated to the USA were both born and lived in Westhay too.