Wiveliscombe

Wiveliscombe sits quietly beneath the Brendon Hills, about five and a half miles west of Taunton, in the part of Somerset where farmland gives way to the wilder contours of Exmoor National Park. It is not a place that shouts for attention. Instead it offers something increasingly rare: a genuine working market town, still built around its historic Square, still trading on Saturday mornings, still brewing beer under the same name it used in the nineteenth century.

The town's roots go back further than most visitors realise. Traces of pre-Roman, Roman and Saxon activity have been found here, and Wiveliscombe was significant enough under the Saxons to later host a bishop's palace in the 15th century, built for the Bishops of Wells. That long history is still visible in the fabric of the town, from the red sandstone Church of St Andrew to the tight cluster of old buildings around the Square. For walkers, cyclists and anyone who simply wants a quieter corner of Somerset within easy reach of Exmoor's moorland, Wiveliscombe makes an excellent, unpretentious base.

Top things to do in Wiveliscombe

Wiveliscombe rewards slow exploration on foot, with the Brendon Hills and Exmoor National Park both within easy striking distance for longer days out.

• The Square — the historic heart of the town, once its principal market place, still ringed by handsome old buildings and now home to independent shops, cafes and the Saturday farmers' market.
• Church of St Andrew — a 13th-century church built of local red sandstone, with a light interior and painted ceiling; its catacombs were reportedly used to store national treasures during the Second World War.
• Exmoor Ales brewery — brewing returned to the town in the historic Hancock's Brewery site, continuing a brewing tradition in Wiveliscombe that dates back to 1807.
• Brendon Hills walking routes — quiet lanes and bridleways climbing out of the town into wooded valleys and open moorland, including the popular loop along the River Tone via the footbridge.
• Exmoor National Park — with Wiveliscombe sitting at its eastern gateway, the high moorland, coastal cliffs and wild ponies of Exmoor are only a short drive away.
• Wimbleball Lake and Clatworthy Reservoir — two reservoirs within easy reach offering sailing, fishing, kayaking and lakeside walking trails.
• WiveyPool — the town's outdoor swimming pool, heated and open through the summer months, popular with families.
• Wiveliscombe Street Fair — a long-running annual town event, alongside the wider 10 Parishes Festival held across the surrounding villages.

Getting to Wiveliscombe

Wiveliscombe lies just off the B3227, about five and a half miles west of Taunton, which is the nearest major town and rail hub. Taunton station has regular services on the London Paddington to Penzance main line, making onward travel by car or taxi straightforward from there. By road, the town is easily reached from the M5 via Taunton, with the drive taking around 15-20 minutes from the motorway. There is no direct rail link into Wiveliscombe itself, so a car is the most practical way to get around once you arrive, particularly if you plan to explore the Brendon Hills or Exmoor beyond the town.

Best time to visit Wiveliscombe

Late spring through early autumn is the most rewarding time to visit, when the surrounding hills and moorland are at their greenest and WiveyPool's outdoor pool is open for swimming. Summer brings the town's Street Fair and the 10 Parishes Festival, adding a bit of local buzz to the usual market-town calendar. Autumn has its own appeal for walkers, with the Brendon Hills turning russet and the crowds thinner than on Exmoor's more famous approaches. Winter is quieter still, best suited to those after crackling pub fires and bracing hilltop walks rather than swimming or outdoor events.

Where to stay in Wiveliscombe

Accommodation around Wiveliscombe leans towards farmhouse B&Bs, converted barns and self-catering cottages rather than large hotels, reflecting the town's rural setting on the edge of Exmoor. Many properties sit just outside the town itself, tucked into the Brendon Hills or the villages of the surrounding Ten Parishes, offering easy access to walking routes and a genuinely rural stay. For those wanting a proper hotel base with more facilities, Taunton is a short drive away and offers a wider range of options.

Food and drink in Wiveliscombe

Wiveliscombe has a strong reputation locally for its food and drink scene given its size, built on a long brewing heritage. Exmoor Ales, based in the town's historic former Hancock's Brewery site, keeps that tradition alive, and its beers turn up on the bar in several of the town's pubs. The Saturday farmers' market in the Square is the best way to sample what the surrounding farms produce, from vegetables and cheese to fish and freshly baked bread. The town's independent shops and cafes are well suited to a slow morning of coffee and browsing before heading out to the hills.