Othery

Othery is a village on the Somerset Levels, about 7 miles (11 km) east of Bridgwater. It sits on a detached extension of Sowy island, and the name itself means “Other-island”. The land around it is low and flat, drained by the rivers Cary and Parrett towards the Bristol Channel. Somerset Council has been the local authority since 1 April 2023.

The Levels cover about 160,000 acres (650 km2) and are prone to winter floods of fresh water, so the ground around Othery can be wet in the colder months. New shoots of willow, called withies, were cut periodically across the Levels, and in the 1930s over 9,000 acres of willow were being grown commercially on the Levels. The Battle of Sedgemoor, the final and decisive engagement of the Monmouth Rebellion, was fought at Westonzoyland near Bridgwater on 6 July 1685.

The Church of St Michael is a Grade I listed building. It is perpendicular in style and was remodelled in the 15th century, and it is the main historic sight in the village. The parish was established in 1515, when Sowy parish was divided.

This is a base for people who want open country, big skies and slow lanes rather than shops and nightlife. Bridgwater is the nearest town, and Taunton is the other larger town in the area.