Summary
A quaint and thriving market town, Taunton boasts a recently revitalized and pedestrian-friendly town center featuring Perpendicular Gothic churches and Georgian townhouses.
Taunton Castle accommodates the Museum of Somerset, showcasing the county’s history through Roman mosaics and coins, while Vivary Park offers expansive flowerbeds and enjoyable outdoor activities for children during summer.
For an authentic experience of English rural life, one can attend a cricket match at the County Ground or explore the National Trust properties in the Quantock Hills, located to the north of Taunton.
Here, we delve into the top attractions in Taunton:
1. Museum of Somerset
This county museum is located within the great hall and inner ward of Taunton Castle, which dates back to the early 12th century, despite significant alterations over the years.
The most substantial modifications occurred in the 1780s during a thorough “Gothic” restoration, although Tudor and Norman elements remain discernible.
Exhibits at the Museum of Somerset include five mosaic panels from the Low Ham Roman Villa and coins from the Frome Hoard, discovered in 2010 and comprising over 52,000 Roman silver and bronze coins.
The museum also displays fossils, prehistoric pottery shards, collections of toys and dolls, and unique items such as a real shrunken head from South America.
2. Vivary Park
Located at the southern edge of the town center, Vivary Park is Taunton’s primary park, combining ornamental gardens with family recreation areas.
This 7.5-hectare park is traversed by the Sherford Stream and derives its name from the medieval vivarium (fish farm) that once occupied this area.
The park features a model railway, a miniature golf course, tennis courts, two playgrounds for young children, and an 18-hole golf course for serious enthusiasts.
During spring and summer, the park transforms with the colorful blooms of approximately 56,000 bedding plants, and the rose garden serves as a trial ground for the Royal National Rose Society.
In August, it becomes the venue for the Taunton Flower Show, which has been held since 1831 and is commonly referred to as the “Chelsea of the West”.
3. St Mary Magdalene
A quintessential “wool church,” St Mary Magdalene was completed in the early 16th century with wealth derived from the local wool trade.
This magnificent Perpendicular Gothic structure boasts the tallest church tower in Somerset, reaching 50 meters, while other parts of the building date back to the late 12th century.
The notable Victorian restorer George Gilbert Scott contributed to the restoration of the building in the 1860s, with most windows and statues completed during that period.
However, older features remain, including a carved head of Edward I from the early 14th century, the stunning west window, and the gilded ceiling decorated with angels and coats of arms.
4. Somerset Military Museum
Situated in the Great Hall of Taunton Castle, the Somerset Military Museum is an extension of the Museum of Somerset.
This institution outlines the historical narrative of the County Regiments of Somerset, starting from 1685.
Visitors can explore conflicts involving the Somerset Light Infantry, notable deployments including the 19th century endeavors in Afghanistan and the Siege of Jellalabad in 1842, as well as insights into life within the regiments.
One of the museum’s remarkable exhibits is a scale model of Mumbai’s Gateway of India, a monument established in 1924 to honor the visit of George V and Queen Mary in 1911.
5. Tudor Tavern
Notable at 15 Fore Street is this three-story half-timbered structure adorned with intricate patterned studwork.
The facade was completed in 1578, while the interior is believed to date back to the 1300s.
Under the leaded window bay on the second floor, the initials “T.T.” and “I.T.” along with the year 1578 are visible. It is one of the few Tudor buildings still standing in Taunton today.
Despite its name, the building initially served as a clothier’s shop for Thomas and Joan Trowbridge, reflected in the initials, before transitioning to a grocery store and eventually becoming vacant by the end of the 20th century.
Caffe Nero undertook the restoration of Tudor Tavern in 2003, allowing patrons to appreciate the striking trusswork in the Medieval hall.
6. Somerset County Cricket Club
From April to September, visitors can experience the quintessential English sport of cricket at the County Ground.
For the past decade, Somerset has consistently ranked among the leading first-class cricket teams in the country, competing in Division One of the County Championship and achieving second position in both 2012 and 2016. Additionally, the England Women’s Cricket team calls this venue home, and international male matches add to the summer excitement.
First-class matches extend over three or more days at a deliberate pace, providing an ideal introduction for newcomers via one-day or faster-paced T20 matches that compel batsmen to adopt a more aggressive approach.
7. Church of St James
Cricket enthusiasts will recognize this structure, as its 34-meter tower rises prominently over the County Ground to the south.
The Church of St James has Medieval origins but underwent multiple reconstructions throughout the 19th century.
Nevertheless, captivating remnants of the original structure remain, most notably in the barrel vault above the nave and north aisle.
The west window retains sections of 15th-century stained glass, while the baptismal font dates to the 1400s, and the pulpit was crafted in 1633.
8. Bridgwater and Taunton Canal
Traveling by bicycle or on foot, one can traverse the 15 miles to Bridgwater along the towpath of this canal, which was inaugurated in 1827. The waterway was originally part of an ambitious but unrealized scheme to connect the Bristol Channel with the English Channel.
Coal and iron were transported south from Welsh mines while agricultural commodities were shipped in the opposite direction.
Today, this canal provides an easygoing and picturesque route through lowland Somerset’s countryside.
Following years of decline, the towpath underwent restoration in the 1990s and is now well-kept.
The Somerset Space Walk presents an accurate scale model of the Solar System, following the full length of the canal.
9. Brewhouse Theatre
Taunton’s primary performing arts venue, the Brewhouse Theatre, opened in a picturesque setting alongside the River Tone in 1977. Although it faced financial troubles and closed in 2013, it soon reopened under the stewardship of a non-profit organization.
For those seeking evening activities in Taunton, the theater offers a diverse program, including ballet, contemporary dance, classical ensembles, jazz, tribute performances, and touring bands.
The 350-seat auditorium also hosts live broadcasts from Glyndebourne and the Royal Shakespeare Society productions, along with showings of independent films.
10. Bishops Lydeard Mill
Located five miles from the town in the charming village of Bishops Lydeard, this museum at a historic watermill showcases traditional crafts and trades.
The mill itself dates back to the 18th century, with the accompanying millhouse added a few decades later.
Powered by a stream from the Brendon Hills, the waterwheel was restored to functionality in 2003, and visitors can observe it in operation.
Additionally, you can explore a blacksmith’s forge, cooperage, wheelwright’s shop, and saddlery, and take a tour of an authentic Victorian kitchen, complete with genuine utensils and tools on display.
11. Quantock Hills
In 1956, the Quantock Hills situated north of Taunton were designated as the first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK.
Stretching four miles across and twelve miles long, the range features rolling peaks descending into wooded valleys (“combes”), which are easily accessible by foot or bicycle.
The highest point, Wills Neck, rises to 384 meters, just eight miles from Taunton, providing panoramic views that include the Brecon Beacons in Wales, Exmoor, Dartmoor, and extending across the county line to Pilsdon Pen in Dorset.
The Romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge resided in the Quantocks, finding inspiration in the hills.
His residence, Coleridge Cottage, is one of several National Trust properties in the area.
12. Hestercombe Gardens
Located just outside Taunton, this splendid estate boasts origins dating back to the 16th century.
Hestercombe House, owned by Somerset County Council, showcases an eclectic mix of architectural styles, ranging from Italian Baroque to Victorian Neo-Gothic.
The gardens at Hestercombe are remarkable, reflecting 300 years of design evolution.
Featuring a Georgian Landscape Garden, a Victorian Terrace, and a stunning Edwardian Formal Garden designed by prominent landscape architects Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens, the gardens encapsulate creativity and historical significance.
Admiring the flowerbeds provides insight into how Jekyll’s color theory was influenced by Impressionists and J. M. W. Turner.
13. Fyne Court
Fyne Court, a recommended destination in the Quantock Hills, is a National Trust property situated on the grounds of a country house that was destroyed by fire at the end of the 19th century.
Post-fire, the manicured gardens reverted to a more natural state, evolving into a “wild garden,” where visitors can explore the remaining structures and follies.
Informational boards offer insights into the fire of 1894 and introduce you to a notable former resident, Andrew Crosse, who conducted pioneering experiments in electricity here.
There is a tearoom available, open seven days a week after March, and a play trail on the grounds with various games and activities for children.
14. French Weir Park
Returning to Taunton, French Weir Park is located a short distance from the Museum of Somerset. This triangular park is bordered on two sides by the River Tone.
Although centrally located, the park retains a rural atmosphere, characterized by extensive green spaces extending west of Taunton.
This serene environment is ideal for picnicking by the water, accompanied by swans and ducks.
The weir is positioned at the southwest perimeter of the park and includes a café nearby.
The park also features natural areas with interpretation boards, a “bug hotel,” and a newly fitted children’s play area.
15. RSPB Swell Wood
Southeast of Taunton lies a corridor of ancient woodland, extending approximately 10 miles between Langport and the Blackdown Hills.
Situated centrally within the corridor is an RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) nature reserve, which supports the largest colony of grey herons in southwest England.
The spring and early summer months present an exquisite opportunity to witness bluebells, orchids, and primroses in bloom.
Winter visitors may observe nuthatches and woodpeckers around the bird feeders located in the car park.
