It is 2 miles (3 km) south of the city of Bath, on the River Avon and the route of the disused Somerset Coal Canal.

The buildings are mainly cream oolitic limestone[3] and many of the 42 listed structures in the parish[4] are in and around the village, which has retained much of its original character and historic appeal.

The parish council's role also includes initiating projects for the maintenance and repair of parish facilities, such as the village hall or community centre, playing fields and playgrounds, as well as consulting with the district council on the maintenance, repair, and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport, and street cleaning.

The parish falls within the unitary authority of Bath and North East Somerset which was created in 1996, as established by the Local Government Act 1992.

[8] The parish is represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom as part of the Frome and East Somerset county constituency.

It dated from 1498, when it was rebuilt on the site of an earlier guesthouse or hostelry built by monks to provide shelter with food and drink for travellers and pilgrims.

But although a new car park was built and the women's lavatories brought indoors, the building's character was faithfully preserved – indeed, a 17th-century fireplace which had been hidden for years was revealed and restored.