The Langport & District History Society is delighted to announce the publication of their brand-new illustrated guide to the major sites in and around Langport, the home town of Walter Bagehot (1826-1877), the renowned Victorian writer and eminent editor of The Economist.
This leaflet marks another significant milestone in the Society’s commemoration of the bicentenary of Bagehot’s birth in Langport on 3 February 1826, along with the installation of the 3rd and final Interpretation Board around the town; the renovation of the stone plaque on his birthplace, and the recent publication of its new book, Walter Bagehot: life and legacy.
Walter Bagehot In Langport is a professionally designed and colourfully illustrated leaflet, with a detailed map and biographical information, which provides any resident or visitor with an accessible and engaging way of learning about Langport’s Walter Bagehot. With this guide you can walk round the town and see where he was born; where he went to school; where he worked; where he did business; where he is buried – and much more. You can download a copy of the leaflet on this page.
Janet Seaton, Chair of the History Society, said: “We are delighted to publish this new guide during the year of the bicentenary of his birth. Bagehot was born in Bank House in Langport’s main street on 3 February 1826. Together with our three Interpretation Boards, and our recently published book, Walter Bagehot: life and legacy, we hope that all these different resources, along with our dedicated Bagehot website, will provide a comprehensive guide to the person, his achievements and his continuing importance to this day.”
Among the sites featured in the guide are Bank Chambers, Walter’s birthplace on Langport’s main street; Langport’s parish church, All Saints, on The Hill, where the Bagehots are buried and which has a magnificent window to his memory, and Great Bow Wharf, by the bridge, where the Bagehots and Stuckeys ran their shipping and mercantile businesses.
It also lists the sites of the three Interpretation Boards dedicated to Bagehot, professionally designed by Belinda Magee, who also designed this new leaflet. They are located at the Walter Bagehot Town Garden, All Saints Churchyard and Great Bow Wharf.
Our new book, Walter Bagehot: life and legacy was published by the Society in February 2026. It was written by Janet Seaton and Barry Winetrobe and illustrated by local artist, Mike Sammons, and is a handsome and engaging publication containing much new information on Bagehot’s fascinating life and enduring legacy. It is published by Even Handed Licensing Ltd, and is available for £20 (plus P&P) from the History Society on our publications page.