Taunton

Taunton sits in the wide, fertile Vale of Taunton Deane, ringed by the Quantock Hills to the north, the Blackdown Hills to the south and the Somerset Levels stretching away to the east. As the county town of Somerset, it has long been a place of markets, courts and commerce, and that sense of purpose still shows in its handsome red-brick Georgian streets, its bustling indoor market and the tower of St Mary Magdalene rising above the rooftops. It is not a place built for tourists, and that is part of its appeal: this is a working Somerset town, with cider orchards on its doorstep and cricket on the county ground, rather than a place that has dressed itself up for visitors.

What draws people to Taunton is as much what lies around it as what lies within it. The town makes an excellent base for exploring some of the West Country's most underrated countryside: the heather-clad Quantocks, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, begin just a few miles north, while the flat, watery expanse of the Somerset Levels opens up to the east, criss-crossed by rhynes and grazing marsh. Exmoor and the coast at Minehead are within easy reach too, making Taunton a sensible, well-connected spot for a Somerset break that mixes town, hill and country.

Top things to do in Taunton

Taunton's own attractions are compact and easily covered on foot, and they reward a slower pace than you might expect from a county town of its size.

• Museum of Somerset — Housed in the medieval Great Hall of Taunton Castle, this excellent free museum tells the story of the county from prehistoric times onward, with highlights including a 200-million-year-old plesiosaur fossil, the Frome Hoard of Roman coins and a Bronze Age gold torc.
• Taunton Castle — The castle that shelters the museum has its own long history, having been besieged during the Monmouth Rebellion and used by Judge Jeffreys for the notorious Bloody Assizes trials of 1685.
• Vivary Park — A well-loved Victorian park a short walk from the town centre, with formal flower beds, a boating lake, an adventure play area and a network of paths that follow the old fish ponds of Taunton Priory.
• Somerset County Cricket Ground — Home to Somerset County Cricket Club since 1882, the County Ground hosts first-class and international fixtures through the summer and is one of the most atmospheric small grounds on the circuit.
• St Mary Magdalene Church — Taunton's parish church has one of the finest Perpendicular Gothic towers in the county, rebuilt in the 19th century to the original medieval design and visible for miles across the vale.
• The Quantock Hills — A short drive north of town, this compact range of heather moorland and wooded combes was England's first landscape to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with waymarked walks from villages such as Kingston St Mary and Bishops Lydeard.
• West Somerset Railway — The heritage steam line that runs from Bishops Lydeard, just outside Taunton, to Minehead on the coast, one of the longest preserved railways in England and a favourite day out for families.

Getting to Taunton

Taunton is one of the best-connected towns in the South West. Taunton railway station sits on the main line between London Paddington and Penzance, with fast services to London taking around two hours and regular trains to Bristol, Exeter and Plymouth. By road, the town lies just off the M5 at Junction 25, making it an easy stop for anyone travelling between Bristol and Devon, and the A358 and A38 connect it onward to Minehead and the coast. Exeter Airport is roughly 40 minutes to the south-west for those flying in.

Best time to visit Taunton

Late spring and summer are the most rewarding times to visit, when Vivary Park is in full bloom, the County Ground hosts cricket, and the Quantock Hills are at their best for walking. The Taunton Flower Show, one of the country's oldest horticultural shows, is held in August. Autumn brings the cider harvest across the surrounding orchards, a reminder that this is prime Somerset cider country, while a crisp winter day is still a good excuse for a walk on the Quantocks followed by lunch in town.

Where to stay in Taunton

Taunton has a good range of places to stay for a county town of its size, from traditional coaching inns in the centre to farmhouse B&Bs and country hotels in the surrounding villages. Staying centrally puts the castle, museum and market within walking distance, while a base out towards the Quantocks or the Blackdown Hills suits those planning to spend most of their time walking or cycling. Nearby villages such as Bishops Lydeard and Kingston St Mary offer a quieter, more rural alternative within a short drive of the town.

Food and drink in Taunton

The town's food scene mixes traditional Somerset fare with a growing number of independent restaurants. Castle Bow, next to Taunton Castle, has long been one of the county's better-regarded restaurants for modern British cooking, while Augustus in the town centre is a well-established name for classic bistro dishes. Ciao Amore on East Street is popular for pizza and pasta, and Lotus Flower offers a broad Thai menu in the town centre. For something more traditional, Taunton's pubs serve local Somerset cider alongside hearty food, and the indoor market and independent cafes around the High Street are good for a lighter bite between sightseeing.