Hidden Treasures in Stone & Timber: A Visit to Castle Reclamation
Posted October 17, 2025Just off the A303 between Martock and South Petherton, Castle Reclamation is a treasure trove of Somerset’s architectural past. Among stacks of honey-coloured Hamstone, old oak beams and slate tiles, you’ll find craftsmanship, history, and quiet inspiration in every corner. Whether you’re restoring a cottage or simply love the beauty of old materials, it’s a place well worth exploring.
Discovering Castle Reclamation
Just off the A303, tucked between Martock and South Petherton, lies one of Somerset’s most quietly fascinating places to explore, Castle Reclamation.
Easy to find, though you’ll want to go steady in the wetter months when the lanes can flood, this small yard at Parrett Works is the sort of place where time slows down. Across the road, there’s a great little café The ranch and the wonderful Yandles, making it the perfect stop for anyone with a love of craft, wood or old things built to last.
Where History Meets Craft
When you step through the gates, you’re greeted by the scent of stone dust and timber. Stacks of weathered tiles, old troughs, tin baths, Belfast sinks and stone birdbaths line the yard, each one with the patina of decades. Behind them, the stonemason’s workshop hums quietly, a cloud of pale Hamstone and Portland Stone dust catching the light as slabs are cut and carved by hand. You’re free to wander and explore, to brush your hand over the soft edge of a worn step or trace the marks of an old lintel that once framed a Somerset doorway.
It’s not a vast site, but that’s part of its charm. Every corner holds something, roof tiles and slate stacked like pages of a local history book, oak beams dark with age, and fireplaces waiting for a new home. The staff are knowledgeable and easy-going; people who know the difference between a piece of stone that will “do the job” and one that will sing in the right setting.
Hamstone and Somerset Heritage
Castle Reclamation is a love letter to local materials. Most of what you’ll find here has its roots in Somerset, golden Hamstone from nearby quarries, reclaimed timbers and old bricks from buildings being restored across the county. There’s a sense of circularity in it all; materials that once formed the backbone of local houses, churches and cottages are given a second life, ready to be shaped and set again.
There’s something grounding about seeing the process up close. Watching the stonemason at work, open workshop, chisel in hand, stone dust rising, reminds you that restoration isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s craftsmanship, patience, and the kind of knowledge that comes from years of handling raw materials.
Making a Day of It
Castle Reclamation sits right by the River Parrett Trail, so it’s easy to combine your visit with a short walk or a wander through the surrounding villages. Within a few miles are some of Somerset’s loveliest spots, Somerset Cider Brandy, East Lambrook Manor Gardens, Barrington Court, Montacute House, and Tintinhull Gardens all rich in architectural detail that echo the very materials you’ll see piled high in the yard. And when you’ve finished browsing, you’re only minutes from some brilliant places to eat: The Barrington Boar and Bakery for exceptional local cooking, or The Lord Poulett Arms in Hinton St George for a relaxed, beautiful lunch.
Dogs on leads are welcome, there’s plenty of parking, and no one minds if you just want to poke about and dream up your next project.
Why It’s Worth a Visit
You don’t have to be a builder or restorer to appreciate Castle Reclamation. For anyone who loves the look and feel of old materials, the weight of stone, the grain of oak, the weathered charm of slate, it’s an inspiring place. It’s Somerset’s history, piece by piece, waiting to be rediscovered.
You might arrive looking for a lintel or a few roof tiles, but you’ll leave with a head full of ideas and a quiet admiration for the people keeping these materials in circulation.
Plan Your Visit
Parrett Works, Martock, Somerset TA12 6AE
Monday–Friday: 8.30am–5pm | Sunday: 10am–1pm
Dogs welcome on leads
Plenty of parking available
Café and Yandles just across the road