Taunton Town in Somerset

Location

Taunton, the county town of Somerset lies on the River Tone in the Taunton Deane District of West Somerset. Taunton lies between the Quantock, Blackdown and Brendon Hills in an area known as the Vale of Taunton.

The name of the town name derives from 'Town on the River Tone' and there is known to have been a settlement here from at least Bronze Age times. Cambria Farm which is now the site of a Park and ride close to Junction 25 of the M5 motorway was the site of a Bronze and Iron Age settlement and Roman farm. There was a Romano-British village near the suburb of Holway and Taunton was a place of considerable importance in Saxon times. The town has excellent road and rail links sitting alongside the M5 motorway and on the GWR line from London Paddington. Taunton is an excellent base from which to explore the whole of Somerset and beyond. Vivary Park and Taunton Castle lie near to the town centre and Somerset County Cricket Club is based close by.

Theatregoers can enjoy performances at the town's Brewhouse Theatre and there are fine golf courses at Vivary Park Golf Course and Taunton Vale Golf Club. There are also strong soccer and rugby football teams representing the town. Nearby Wellington, six miles to the southwest has a range of industries to compliment Taunton and has a range of Nature Reserves in which to relax. Other highlights of the immediate area are Hestercombe Gardens, The Willow and Wetlands Reserve or walking on the nearby Quantock, Brendon or Blackdown Hills. Taunton has a population of about 62,000.