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.Radstock,
a former mining and railway town, lies on the Wellow Brook. With
its twin town and close neighbour, Midsomer Norton it lies
in the Midsomer Valleys, 10 miles south of Bath.
Running
through the town is the Fosse Way, an important Roman road.
Although
the settlement has ancient origins, it did not become important
until the Industrial Revolution. Coal was discovered in Radstock
in 1763 and mining began as part of the Somerset Coalfield.
The Great Western Railway and the Somerset and Dorset Railway
both established stations and marshalling yards here.
The coal
industry continued until the 1970's.
Radstock
has some unique architecture associated with its mining and
Victorian heritage and is considered to be one of the best
preserved former mining towns in the UK.
The restored
Victorian Market Hall, now houses the Radstock Museum.
The Writhlington
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) nearby is located
on old mine workings. This site has over 3000 tons of Upper
Carbonifereous spoil, containing many fossil insects.
Since
the closure of the coal mines Midsomer Norton and Radstock
have largely become commuter towns serving Bath and Bristol.
The industrial
area of north east Somerset between the Mendip Hills and the
River Avon has now returned to a rural nature
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Radstock
