Bickenhall
Bickenhall is a hamlet and parish in Somerset, England, situated south east of Taunton. The parish, which includes the hamlet of Batten's Green, has a population of 122. Bickenhall is a widely scattered hamlet lying between the A358 and the village of Staple Fitzpaine. The village consists of farms, houses and smallholdings. It has no shops or pubs, barring a recently opened sculpture studio at Bickenhall Farm. Bickenhall is also home to Neroche Parish Hall, formerly St. Pauls church (though has the appearance of a Methodist type church rather than one with a tower). History The name of the village comes from Bica's hall or hill. The manor was held by Robert, Count of Mortain at the time of the Domesday Book in 1086. It later passed to the Portman family of Orchard Portman, who founded the Portman Estate. Bickenhall was part of the hundred of Abdick and Bulstone. Bickenhall was a haunt of smugglers at various times in the past. Aptly named Brandy Bridge in Bickenhall was the location of the "Cat and Rags" pub, which was used as a stop-off for goods smuggled from the south Dorset coast. The village was once larger than the neighbouring Staple Fitzpaine