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The South Somerset Area
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Strategically located midway between the English and Bristol Channels,
South Somerset district extends from Wincanton in the East to Chard
in the West and covers 370 square miles. Its population of around
160,000 people is spread among 121 parishes. Yeovil is by far the largest
town with 45,000 living in or close to it.
South Somerset is a fascinating mixture of the rural and the urban. It is
predominantly an agricultural area of diverse landscapes and pretty
villages with over half of the population living in settlements of fewer
than 2,500 people. It has more conservation areas than any other
district in the country, and the second highest number of listed
buildings. The district is renowned for its fine National Trust properties,
classic gardens, historic market towns and museums - most notably the
Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton and Haynes Motor Museum at
Sparkford.
Perhaps surprisingly, some 30 per cent of the workforce is employed in
manufacturing - nearly double the national average. Multi-national
companies located in the district include Agusta Westland, Honeywell
and Thales and trading estates and business parks, housing a wide range
of light industries, are spread across South Somerset. Tourism
contributes around £84 million a year to the local economy and
supports more than 2,000 jobs.
The council has over 700 employees who work together with 60
elected councilors. It's one of the biggest district councils in the
country, both in terms of geographical size and total population.
Contact the council
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