Just as it is today, Somerset in medieval times was a land well-suited for agriculture. Its rich soils—especially across the Somerset Levels and Moors—and its patchwork of rolling hills and wetlands made it an ideal place for farming and livestock rearing. Cattle and sheep thrived in this predominantly pastoral landscape, providing a vital source of income and sustenance.

It’s little wonder, then, that the Knights Templar—one of the most powerful and mysterious military orders of the medieval world—saw the value in establishing themselves here. As part of their vast European network, the Templars acquired numerous manors and farms across Somerset to support their mission and fund their campaigns in the Holy Land.

By 1187, the Knights Templar held significant lands throughout the county, including at Temple Fee (Bristol), Portishead, Bishopsworth, Lamyatt, Puriton, Drayton, Templecombe, Temple Cloud, and Temple Newbury, among others. These holdings were overseen from their principal base in Somerset: the Preceptory at Templecombe. This location was especially strategic, positioned between the key medieval ports of Bristol and Poole—essential gateways for trade, supplies, and pilgrims bound for Europe and the East.

The village of Temple Cloud, as its name suggests, holds direct ties to the Templar legacy. Alongside neighbouring Cameley and the historic Church of St James, the area offers a glimpse into a time when knights, monks, and farmers worked side by side, shaping the landscape and history of Somerset in ways that are still evident today.

The Knights Templar in Bristol: A Legacy in Stone

APRIL 2025

Tucked away in the Redcliffe area of Bristol lie the evocative ruins of the Church of the Holy Cross, once the base of the Knights Templar in the city. Although now a shell—damaged during the Bristol Blitz of World War II—the site remains rich in history. Excavations have revealed the footings of the original round Templar church, still visible today and offering a rare glimpse into their medieval presence.

Learn more about the Knights Templars in Bristol via our blog entry click here