It sits in the foothills of the Quantock Hills (England's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), just below Over Stowey.

In the Domesday Book of 1086 it was recorded as Stawei, the name coming from the Old English stan weg, or paved road.

Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also the responsibility of the council.

The blue lias rubble walling is the only visible structural remains of the castle which stand on a conical earthwork with a ditch approximately 250 metres (820 ft) in circumference.

[6] The castle was destroyed in the 15th century, which may have been as a penalty for the local Lord Audley's involvement in the Second Cornish Uprising of 1497 led by Perkin Warbeck.

[10] Stowey Court may contain part of Lord Audley's original house which was left unfinished after his execution in 1497 until his descendants rebuilt the half-finished dwelling.

The spoons, a goblet and a bell shaped salt cellars are thought to date from the time of the English Civil War and they were recently discovered in a broken earthenware jar using a metal detector.

Local tanner, politician and philanthropist Thomas Poole lived in the house in the late 18th and early 19th century.

Poole House is now a grade II listed building[17] and many original features remain including fireplaces and the Georgian interior.

During 2011, the Clock Tower underwent a major refurbishment job which saw the replacement of several components of the bell chiming system.

Local amenities include two pubs (The Ancient Mariner, and "The George Hotel, a doctor's surgery, a Retained / Part Time Fire Station and a primary school.

In July 1789, local resident John Walford murdered his wife after a visit to Castle of Comfort Farm (a pub that still exists).

Thomas Poole was a local tanner who became wealthy and founded the Nether Stowey Women's Friendly Society in 1807.