Staying in Taunton
Taunton is Somerset’s county town. The town is a vibrant shopping center serving a wide area, it also hosts an antique market every Monday and the Farmers Market on Thursdays. Taunton is also home to the Somerset County Museum, located at Taunton Castle, it charts the history of Taunton and Somerset through the ages. Another landmark building is the magnificent church of St Mary Magdalene which boasts the highest tower in Somerset. Cricket enthusiasts staying in Taunton will not want to miss a visit to the Somerset Cricket Museum. Or you may want to view a match at the Somerset County Cricket Club – for a list of fixtures view their website www.somersetcricketclub.co.uk
Located centrally in the county of Somerset and with good transport links, staying in Taunton is ideal for exploring the county. There are many attractions within easy reach. Hestercombe Gardens just north of Taunton, offer beautiful formal and landscaped gardens designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and planted by Gertrude Jeykll. Enjoy the woodland walks, lakes, plant life, and beautiful views across the Vale of Taunton to the Blackdown Hills. At Monksilver is Combe Sydenham Country Park which offers 500 acres of wooded hillside and valleys to explore. Near Wellington, you will find Cathey Manor and Gardens, a beautifully restored medieval Manor House.
Train enthusiasts can board the West Somerset Steam Railway at Bishops Lydeard, to the west of Taunton, which travels to Minehead on the coast. Also at Bishops Lydeard, there is the grade two listed water mill and teashop.
At Stoke St Gregory there is the Willows and Wetlands Visitor Centre. Here you can learn about the ancient art of basket making on the Somerset Levels. A visit to Somerset would not be complete without a visit to some of the many cider makers for which the county is famous. At Sheppy’s Cider Farm at Bradford-on-Tone, you can visit the museum and taste ciders in the farm shop.
There is a good selection of accommodation to choose from in Taunton from budget hotels to quality inns and guesthouses to cozy B&B;’s. If you plan a longer stay then a self-catering cottage in the surrounding countryside or villages might suit you. Anyone staying in Taunton will not be disappointed with the variety of attractions and accommodation available.