Taunton is an ancient town with a lot of history. It’s famous these days as the home of Somerset cider as well as a top county cricket team. Hire a car and visit some of the local cider producers, tasting the difference between mainstream clear cider and the traditional scrumpy.
The town is also the gateway for the Somerset Levels, the marshland where peat has been cut as fuel and for agriculture for centuries. Still prone to flooding because of the low land level, the area is a haven for wildlife.
Taunton Mini Guide
Through the Ages
Why not explore this beautiful and historic area of the UK? The town of Taunton is situated just off the M5 motorway just over 40 miles south of both
Bristol with it excellent shopping centre and rich maritime history and the ancient Roman city of
Bath with it's Pump Rooms and the scenic River Avon flowing through the centre. The whole area is steeped in history from throughout the ages as Glastonbury with it's links to King Arthur as an easy drive away, if more modern day pursuits are what you're looking for, Glastonbury is also home to the famous Glastonbury Music Festival usually held in June.
What's Around
The countryside surrounding Taunton is quite diverse with wild Exmoor, the first of Britain's National Parks and a former Royal Hunting Lodge to the north west. To the south are the pretty villages of Somerset, Devon and Dorset – just think of those lovely cream teas!!! For those who prefer the “bright lights”, particularly in the summer months, the holiday resort of Weston Super Mare is also nearby.
The Town Itself
The town boasts a host of varied attractions for visitors such as the castle, which houses the Museum of Somerset, the Taunton Heritage Trail and regular farmers and antique markets. As the county town of Somerset it is also home to Somerset County Cricket Club and their museum, a visit to which is a must for all cricket enthusiasts. The Brewhouse Theatre offers a very comprehensive range of entertainment all year round including music, dance comedy and plays.
How to Arrive and Where to Stay
Taunton and it's surrounding areas are served by both Bristol and Exeter International airports, actually being almost the same distance from both. Bristol in particular, handles flights of budget airlines flying in from many parts of Europe, making it an ideal way to arrive in the area. When it comes to where to stay, there are many types of accommodation available from large “country house” type hotels with gardens designed by Capability Brown to camping and caravanning with all things in between.