Washford transmitting station

{{Short description|Transmitter station in Somerset, England}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}

{{Use British English|date=July 2019}}

{{Infobox UK transmitter

|name = Washford

|image = 250px

|caption = Washford transmitting station masts

|map = {{Location map+

| Somerset

| width = 250

| float = center

| caption =

| places ={{Location map~

| Somerset

| label = Washford

| position =

| mark =

| coordinates = {{coord|51.1606|-3.34861|type:landmark_region:GB}}

}}{{Location map~

| Somerset

| label = Mendip

| position =

| mark = Green pog.svg

| coordinates = {{coord|51.236944|-2.625278|type:landmark_region:GB}}

}}

}}

|location = Washford, Somerset

|height = {{convert|152|m|ft|0}} (MW)
{{convert|45.7|m|ft|0}} (UHF)

|gridref = ST058410

|built = 1933

|demolished =

|collapsed =

|relay = Mendip

|BBC = BBC West

|ITV = ITV West Country

{{Designation list

| embed = yes

| designation1 = Grade II Listed Building

| designation1_offname = Washford Transmitting Station

| designation1_type =

| designation1_criteria =

| designation1_date = 25 January 1984

| delisted1_date =

| designation1_partof =

| designation1_number = {{NHLE|num=1057461|short=yes}}

}}

}}

Washford transmitting station is a medium wave broadcasting station and low-power digital terrestrial television relay near Washford, Somerset.

A smaller {{convert|45.7|m|ft|0}} mast is used to relay digital terrestrial television services from the Mendip transmitting station. This mast carries the three public service multiplexes at an E.R.P. of 12.4 W.

The front portions of the old transmitter building are now part of the Tropiquaria wildlife park and house their tropical hall, aquarium, and nocturnal house.{{cite web|title=1930s BBC radio station, Washford Cross, Williton|url=http://www.somersetheritage.org.uk/record/28621|work=Somerset Historic Environment Record|publisher=Somerset County Council|access-date=23 March 2012}} The majority of the old building became surplus to the BBC's requirements in 1981 when new, smaller equipment was installed in a separate building to the rear. Two schemes subsequently failed to materialise for the old building: one to transform it into a public swimming pool and another to replace it with a Little Chef restaurant. In 1987, a £100,000 scheme to transform the site into an aquarium and reptile house was proposed by the consortium Ark Enterprises Ltd, headed by Stephen Smith. Both a 21-year lease on the building and planning permission were acquired in 1987,{{cite news |last=Stokes |first=Ray |title=Ex-BBC station set to go wild |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004769/19870530/005/0005 |newspaper=Western Daily Press |date=30 May 1987 |page=5 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=28 May 2024}} and Tropiquaria opened in 1989.{{cite news |last=Collins |first=Dick |title=Council power – a new energy source |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002470/19890504/032/0032 |newspaper=Central Somerset Gazette |date=4 May 1989 |page=32 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=28 May 2024}}

The transmitter building is a Grade II listed building.{{NHLE | num=1057461 | desc=Washford Transmitting Station | accessdate=20 March 2012}}