Somerset

Bath & North Somerset

Central Somerset

South Somerset

West Somerset

Somerset Coast

Taunton Accommodation

Taunton Castle in Taunton town centre!

Somerset County Museum is set within the castle grounds

Lots of choice with Taunton town centre shopping

Seasonal, farmers and continental markets add to the choice

Old and new intermingle in Taunton

Somerset County Cricket Ground is in Taunton

Somerset Cricket Museum is in the County Cricket Ground

Vivary Park - typical Victorian urban park and location of Taunton Flower Show

The original gates to Vivary Park are still in place

Taunton Tourist Information Somerset

Taunton is Somerset's largest town and county centre. It's a good mix of historic buildings and modern shopping centre so should easily keep you occupied. Although you'll find a vast range of shops, restaurants, cafes, pubs and clubs it retains its market town traditions such as the Farmers Markets which are still held weekly in the High Street. Continental and specialist markets also make an appearance throughout the year.

Somerset's County Museum is in Taunton within the grand surroundings of Taunton Castle. It makes a good introduction to the social and natural history of Somerset before you head out further afield in the Somerset countryside.

Taunton Tourism Guide

Taunton is Somerset's county town. It's an interesting mix of ancient and modern architecture with many historic buildings still forming part of the centre of the town.

The focal point of the historic centre is the former castle which now houses Somerset County Museum and The Castle Hotel. All around Castle Green you'll see the beautiful historic buildings that have largely found more modern uses, but have been well preserved to show their original character. You can pick up a free Heritage Trail leaflet from the Tourist Information Centre. The self-guided tour takes you round Taunton pointing out sixty nine historic buildings including the twelfth century St Margaret's Leper Hospital and The Market House built in 1772.

Being the county's centre, Taunton is full of high street stores with an excellent choice of pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes. Taunton also has a cinema and The Brewhouse Theatre and Arts Centre at Coal Orchard by the side of the canal. It's a compact centre where it's much easier to park the car and walk round. There is plenty of town centre parking. The Taunton Town Centre weblink right has useful suggested shopping circuits for different parts of the town as well as lists of car parks around the town. You can also download a city centre map to help you find your way around. There is also covered shopping in the Old Market Shopping Centre as well as other smaller sheltered arcades around the town. Thursdays is the Farmers Market which is held between 9am-3pm on the High Street. You can buy a whole range of locally produced food including cheeses, chutneys, cider and cakes.

Taunton Tourist Information Office is in The Library, Paul Street, Taunton, Somerset TA1 3XZ. Tel: 01823 336344. Fax: 01823 340308. Text: 07513 531529 Email: tauntontic@tauntondeane.gov.uk. Open Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm.

Somerset County Museum Taunton

Somerset County Museum is in the heart of Taunton on the site of Taunton Castle. Inside the Museum has a varied and interesting collection of toys and dolls, silver, pottery and Nailsea glassware as well as a large archaeological collection and artefacts from Somerset Light Infantry. There is also a small collection of artwork relating to Somerset including a Samuel Jackson painting of Cheddar Gorge dating from the 19th century and sculptures created by Ernst Blensdorf who settled in Somerset - not before the Nazis regarded him as a degenerate artist and he was forced to flee to Norway. He later came to England after the German invasion of Norway.

The geological exhibits and fossils including examples of "sea dragons", discovered and in 1992 at Kilve and subsequently conserved, are fantastic. The Somerset County Museums Service holds a nationally important collection of Ice Age fossil mammal bones originating from the western Mendip Hills.

The Museum and Castle are due to undergo an extensive restoration programme that could last up to two years from March 2008. It'll be best to check on opening times prior to visiting during this time.

Opening hours: Tues-Sat and Bank Holiday Mondays 10am-5pm. Closed: Good Friday. Somerset County Museum, Taunton Castle, Castle Green, Taunton Somerset TA1 4AA. Tel: 01823 320201. Fax: 01823 320229. Email: county-museums@somerset.gov.uk

Somerset County Cricket Ground Taunton - Somerset Cricket Museum

Taunton is home to Somerset County Cricket Ground. A full programme of national and international games are scheduled throughout the season. You can purchase tickets online or at the turnstile on match days. Check the weblink right for more information.

The ground is currently undergoing some redevelopment creating an additional three thousand new seats and new retail and food outlets.

On the site is Somerset Cricket Museum. Housed in an historic barn is a collection of cricket memorabilia dating from the foundation of Somerset County Cricket Club in 1875. Exhibits and displays relate to the Club's history and highlights test match players hailing from Somerset who have playing for their country including Ian Botham and Marcus Trescothick.

Somerset Cricket Museum, 7 Priory Avenue, Taunton, Somerset TA1 1XX. Tel: 01823 275893.

Taunton Somerset Carnivals

Taunton 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.

Vivary Park - Taunton Flower Show

Vivary Park came about during the 19th century drive for public open spaces to improve the health and wellbeing of Britain's urban populations. The park's name comes from its medieval use as the vivarium for Taunton's Priory and Castle. The land was purchased in 1894 and opened in 1895 - the existing park gates date from this time. Lakes, flower beds, a bandstand, fountains and a war memorial became features of the park over time, most of which remain today. There is also a mini-golf course, tennis courts and a children's playground.

Since 1851 Vivary Park has been the location for Taunton Flower Show. The Flower Show continues today and is held over two days in summer. The Show features show gardens, competitive classes, a floral marquee, a wide range of garden-orientated traders as well as a central events arena. It makes a good family day out with a children's zone featuring creative activities and entertainment. Check the weblink right for up-to-date information.

Click Search

Tourist Information

Internet Links

Home Top