Ilminster Tourist Information

Ilminster Tourist Guide & Attractions

Ilminster is another historic market town in South Somerset and was a coach stop on the London to Exeter route. In the seventeenth century it was the fourth largest town in Somerset due to its successful cloth trade. The main street winds around the hill and contains a good selection of restaurants, cafes and shops.

Market Square is the focal point of the town centre with its colonnaded market cross and the Market House whose roof is supported by open column work. Here The George Pub was the first hotel that Queen Victoria stayed. In 1819 Princess Victoria was travelling to meet her parents in Sidmouth in Devon when she stayed here on the way down.

The Minster in Ilminster is the fifteenth century perpendicular towered church is which is said to have inspired the design of Wells Cathedral. The former Unitarian Church is now the The Meeting House Arts Centre which contains galleries showcasing local and national artists. Exhibitions change monthly and there is a varied events programme including music and dance.

Ilminster's Tourist Information Centre is open Easter to October: Mon and Sat 10am-1pm. Tues-Friday 10am-4pm. Ilminster Tourist Information Centre, The Meeting House Arts Centre, East Street, Ilminster, TA19 0AN Somerset. Tel: 01460 57294.

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Ilminster Somerset Carnivals

Ilminster is on the circuit for the Somerset Carnivals. These are usually held between September and November. It's well worth timing your visit to coincide with one of the carnivals that are held at a whole host of towns throughout the county. The Somerset Carnival tradition dates back to the 1600s when many places in Somerset commemorated the Gunpowder Plot. Street entertainment, fireworks and special events throughout the town add to the fun and carnival atmosphere.

Processions gradually make their way round a predetermined route from around 7pm at night. The floats are illuminated with coloured lighting which makes a welcome splash of colour in the dark autumn nights. A huge amount of effort is put into creating carnival entries. Some are created by Carnival Clubs; some by keen individuals or groups, all work throughout the year raising the money themselves to create spectacular themed floats which are judged prior to the procession begins. Prizes are hotly contested and ensure the standards are raised year-on-year. It is a fantastic, lively event with brilliantly decorated floats and costumes and lots of music and dance to get your feet tapping.

It's a fun night out for all the family and you can help raise funds for charities or the clubs for the next year's entry. Thousands attend carnivals, so watch out as parking can get very limited on carnival nights and town centres can often be cut off to traffic during the carnival.

Check the weblinks right for this year's carnivals and past carnival photographs.

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South Somerset Countryside Walks Nature Reserves

If you want to explore the South Somerset countryside there is handy leaflet available from Tourist Information Centres "Explore South Somerset Countryside" which gives you lots of details of the wildlife and geology of South Somerset as well as lists of nature reserves, walks, viewpoints, country parks and woodland trails.

Between Ilminster and Chard is the Old Chard Canal. This fell out of use only twenty five years after it was finished. Since it fell into disuse it has become a haven for wildlife in the ponds, woodland and scrub along the former canal route. It is now managed by Somerset Wildlife Trust and is open access and can easily be reached by bicycle. Grid ref: ST 357 129.

Herne Hill, to the south west of the town, can be explored by a two mile nature trail. If you're visiting in Spring take a walk through the woodlands and see the bluebells that cover the slopes. Dormice and badgers are known to live here too.

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Perry's Farmhouse Cider Somerset

Perry's Cider Mills are based to the west of Ilminster in Dowlish Wake. The cider here is made in the sixteenth century thatched barn using traditional varieties of apples.

You can visit the cider farm (for free) and see how it's made as well as their Rural Museum where you can see some of the old farm machinery, tools and barrels in which the cider is matured. Naturally enough there's a farm shop for you to stock up on cider and apple related products.

Shop and Cider Sales open Mon- Fri: 9am-5.30pm, Sat: 9.30am-4.30pm, Sun: 10am-1pm. Bank Holidays: 9.30am-4.30pm (excluding Christmas and New Year). For coach parties book in advance by calling 01460 55195. Check the link right for more information.

Perry's Cider, Dowlish Wake, Ilminster, Somerset TA19 0NY. Tel: 01460 55195. Fax: 01460 55195. Email: sales@perryscider.co.uk

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