Taunton

The large market town of Taunton in Somerset lies in a picturesque spot on the River Tone between the Quantock, Blackdown and Brendon Hills. Settled since at least Roman times, Taunton was established as a town in the 8^th century by King Ine of Wessex who built earthwork fortifications here. The castle at Taunton has its origins in the Anglo Saxon period before becoming a priory and then built on by the Normans as a stone castle, which belonged to the Bishops of Winchester. The structure we see today includes reconstruction in the inner ward, which now houses the county museum. The Somerset County Museum hosts a fascinating and diverse collection of toys, sculpture, natural history, fossils, fine silver and pottery as well as archaeological items and the Somerset Military Museum.

Taunton has ample amenities, plenty of shops, eateries and pubs and still hosts markets throughout the week, selling local crafts and produce and of course, cider. On Silver Street you can enjoy one of the area’s largest antique markets, with over a hundred dealers bringing a huge array of antiquities. Taunton is well known for its annual flower show held in Vivary Park that has been described as "The Chelsea of the West" and attracts thousands of visitors over two days. Since the first Taunton Flower Show in 1866, with only a pause during the Second World War, there has been a flower show here every year.

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