Radstock on the Mendip Hills
Radstock sits on the northern slope of the Mendip Hills in Somerset. It falls within the unitary authority of Bath and North East Somerset, with its own town council. At the 2021 census, its built-up area, which reaches into neighbouring Westfield, had 9,980 people.
The town lies on the Wellow Brook, about 9 miles south-west of Bath. Its importance grew with the Fosse Way, the Roman road that ran along part of today’s A367. The Domesday Book of 1086 recorded it as Stoche.
A coal-mining town
Coal was discovered in Radstock in 1763, and mining began soon after. Many pits opened during the 19th century, and output peaked around 1901. However, narrow seams and difficult geology made the coal costly to extract. The last two pits in the coalfield, Kilmersdon and Writhlington, closed in September 1973.
The spoil heap of Writhlington colliery is now a Site of Special Scientific Interest. More than 1,400 insect fossils have been recovered from it. Meanwhile, the old Bristol and North Somerset railway line now carries National Cycle Route 24, known as the Colliers’ Way. The route passes many landmarks of the old coalfield.
Museum, schools and the town today
The Radstock Museum occupies the former Victorian market hall, a Grade II listed building from 1897. Many of its exhibits cover local geology and the Somerset coalfield. Writhlington School is known for its orchid collection, which won a gold medal at the 2009 Chelsea Flower Show. The parish church of St Nicholas has a 15th-century west tower.
Printing, binding and packaging still provide some local jobs. In recent years, Radstock has increasingly become a commuter town for Bath and Bristol. As a result, traffic can build up at peak hours.
What an installation here tends to involve
The installer will want to see your home before giving a price. On an older stone or brick building, they will plan the pipe run to the wall unit with care. On a newer house, fixing brackets and running pipework is usually simpler. If the property is listed, the permitted development rules explain when consent is needed for an outdoor unit.
Radstock is built on sloping ground, and some of the steeper valley sides have slipped over the years. Therefore, a firm, level base for the outdoor unit matters here. It also needs clear air on both sides and a proper condensate drain route, so water runs away safely. Before the installer’s visit, a breakdown of installation prices can help you budget for the job.
Coverage from Bath
Radstock is about 9.6 miles by road from Bath, around 20 minutes’ drive. The A367 runs through the town between Bath and Shepton Mallet, and Bath air conditioning installation covers the city end. Midsomer Norton and Frome are nearby; see Midsomer Norton air conditioning installation and installing a system in Frome.
Midsomer Norton closely adjoins Radstock. Between 1933 and 2011, the two formed a single area called Norton Radstock.
In contrast, Frome lies at the eastern end of the Mendip Hills, about 8 miles south-east. An 8-mile railway line was once built from Radstock to Frome to carry the coal. Today, the nearest railway station to Radstock is Bath Spa.
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