Shepton Mallet

Shepton Mallet is a market town and civil parish in Somerset, England. It lies 16 miles (26 km) south-west of Bath, 18 miles (29 km) south of Bristol and 5 miles (8 km) east of Wells. At the 2021 census, the parish had a population of 10,592 and the built-up area had a population of 9,645. The Mendip Hills lie to the north and the River Sheppey runs through the town, as does the route of the Fosse Way, the main Roman road between north-east and south-west England. There is evidence of Roman settlement. Its listed buildings include a medieval parish church. Shepton Mallet Prison closed in March 2013; immediately before its closure it had been England's oldest prison still in use. The medieval wool trade gave way to trades such as brewing in the 18th century. It remains noted for cider production. It is the closest town to the Glastonbury Festival and nearby the Royal Bath and West of England Society showground.