Announcing the Launch of KYP Somerset! Now available online
Putting Somerset on the Map
KYP Somerset: We are delighted to announce that Know Your Place Somerset is now available online
For the first time, historical maps of Somerset are now freely available online thanks to the Know Your Place West of England project, supported by National Lottery players. From Minehead to Wincanton and Frome to Wells, you can now discover how the county of Somerset has been transformed over time.
About the Project
Know Your Place West of England is a free digital mapping resource that enables you to explore your neighbourhood online through old maps, archive images and linked information. The South West Heritage Trust is a key partner in this collaborative project, which is led by South Gloucestershire Council.
What’s on the Map
Five historic map layers of Somerset are now online, allowing you to explore some of the most famous natural and man-made landmarks from the Mendip Hills and Cheddar Gorge to Glastonbury Tor and the Somerset Levels. Alongside historic maps you can freely explore data from the Historic Environment Record for the modern county of Somerset.
KYP Somerset showing Glastonbury Tor on OS 1st edition map c.1880s
You will also be able to upload and share your own information about the area straight onto Know Your Place helping to build a rich and diverse community map of local heritage for everyone – from school children to family historians and planners to enthusiasts of community heritage.
Learn more in Wells this weekend
Collections from museums across the county are featured in our touring exhibition, which is currently at The Bishop’s Palace in Wells.
KYP Somerset shows the Bishop’s Palace in Wells on a historic map, with modern map in spyglass insert
Only the beginning…
More than 50 project volunteers are working hard to prepare further historic maps, which will be added onto Know Your Place Somerset over the coming months.
The website will continue to grow as more map resources, drawings and photographs from archive and museum collections are added.
KYP Somerset shows Somerset Heritage Centre at Norton Fitzwarren, with Monuments data on the map
Other areas available online now include Bath and North East Somerset, Wiltshire, South Gloucestershire, Bristol and Gloucestershire. The Know Your Place West of England project will soon extend to cover North Somerset too.
Gradually expanding – our West of England map, now updated to include Somerset. Just North Somerset to go!
What our partners think
Janet Tall, Head of Archives & Local Studies for the South West Heritage Trust, said “The Know Your Place Somerset website transforms access to Somerset’s historic maps and will enable people to discover more about how places have changed and developed over time.”
Nerys Watts, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund South West, said: “Know Your Place West of England is a fantastic resource, bringing together the history of this area so people can discover the ever-changing make-up of the places where they live and work. If you have bought a National Lottery ticket recently, you have helped to support these types of projects that are preserving the precious heritage of our communities for future generations. Thank you.”
Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, the Know Your Place West of England project was awarded £379,800 be the Heritage lottery Fund (HLF). It also received generous match-funding and in-kind support from local authorities and heritage groups within the region, including £5,000 match-funding from lead partner South Gloucestershire Council.
Start exploring Somerset now
Start exploring Somerset’s maps and heritage information from our homepage. Simply click on the map or the county name to begin.