Chard is a market town laid out in 1234 by Bishop Jocelyn of Wells. It grew into a prosperous wool town. In the 19th century cloth making was replaced by lace making and producing agricultural machinery. Chard has a population of approximately 12,000 and at an altitude of 121 metres (397 ft) is the highest town in Somerset and also the Southernmost. It is only about 12 miles from the South Coast of Dorset.