Highbridge Town in Somerset

Location

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Map showing location of Highbridge

Highbridge is a market town of approximately 5,000 people adjacent to the seaside resort of Burnham-on-Sea in northeast Somerset. It lies near the mouth of the River Brue on the edge of the Somerset Levels. Highbridge lies approximately 20 miles northwest of the county town of Taunton. There has been a settlement here since at least Roman times and a bridged crossing over the River Brue has existed here since the 14th century. The area marking an important crossing on the route from Bristol to the South West. Highbridge grew in importance as a regional market and industrial town during the latter half of the 19th century and the early part of the 20th century. Important employers included the livestock and cheese market, Highbridge Wharf, Buncombe's Steamrollers, and the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway rail works, which closed in 1930 with the loss of 400 jobs. The town is served by the Highbridge and Burnham railway station.