| Editorial Section - Area Information, TAUNTON DEANE, Somerset |
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Contact details
The Deane House, Belvedere Road, Taunton, Somerset TA1 1HE
www.heartofsomerset.com |
TAUNTON DEANE, SOMERSET |
The Heart of Somerset
Encompassing a beautiful area of countryside and the County Town of Taunton, Taunton Deane really is The Heart of Somerset. The Vale of Taunton Deane reaches out to join the Blackdown Hills, the Quantock Hills, the Somerset Levels and Moors and The Brendon Hills, in Exmoor National Park.
See below for area information, dates for your diary and useful hyperlinks...
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The Vale of Taunton Deane |
The Vale of Taunton Deane is nestled between the Blackdown, Quantock and Brendon Hills and the landscape is that of rich, agricultural land, patchwork fields interspersed with soaring church towers, woodlands, orchards and traditional villages offering the best of Somerset welcomes. The 45 mile West Deane Walk takes in the delights of the vale at its best.
Please see www.heartofsomerset.com for West Deane Walk information.
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| The Brendon Hills |
The Brendon Hills rise steeply behind Wiveliscombe: The Gateway to Exmoor. The hills rise to some 1200 feet and are within Exmoor National Park. Please see www.wiveliscombe.com and www.exmoornationalpark.gov.uk for more information. |
| Blackdown Hills AONB |
The Blackdown Hills AONB is situated to the south of the area, giving magnificent views across the Vale of Taunton Deane. The 175ft tall Wellington Monument, erected in honour to the Duke of Wellington, is the most famous landmark. With nature reserves and forest parks, the hills are ideal for walking, cycling, riding and fishing. The 'Forest of Neroche Land Heritage Project' aims to improve access to the area; create a ridge route from Wellington Monument to Castle Neroche; improve disabled access; and reinstate traditional grasslands.
Please see www.blackdownhills.net for more information. |
| Quantock Hills AONB |
| The Quantock Hills AONB is situated to the north of Taunton, stretching to the Somerset coast. The area is the ideal walking, cycling and horse riding destination with miles of footpaths and bridleways. The Quantocks is noted for its rich flora and fauna set against stunning views across the Severn Estuary to South Wales and beyond. With stunning vistas and deep 'combes' the Quantocks are a must for visitors. |
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| Somerset Levels & Moors |
Dominated by Burrow Mump, a natural hill topped by a ruined uncompleted church, the Somerset Levels are one of the most important inland wetlands in Britain, if not the world. The area plays host to a diverse range of wading birds and wildfowl and is home to an RSPB reserve at Stathe. Why not visit the Willows & Wetlands Centre, Stoke St Gregory and learn about the cultivation of 'withies' and the traditional industry of weaving and hurdle making?
For more information, please visit www.somersetlevels.org.uk. |
| Shopping |
Taunton is one of the top 100 shopping venues in the country - in the 'National Shopping Index' Taunton has shot 38 places up the rankings to 81st place. Taunton is an attractive town with the River Tone flowing through the centre and has held the regional award for best large floral town in the 'Britain in Bloom' competition.
The town centre has recently been enhanced with widened pavements and numerous attractive areas where you can meet friends, talk and stroll. An intriguing mix of specialist shops, complemented by the best in high street names offering all-round shopping excellence, can be found in Taunton. Why not explore Bath Place, The Old Market Shopping Centre, Riverside Place and The Courtyard? All are unique. Browse around Taunton Antiques Market every Monday in Silver Street - with 130 Antiques Dealers specialising in almost every aspect of antiques & collectables you can imagine. Taunton is home to all the big stores and the more intimate, independent specialist shops as well as the weekly farmers market on Thursdays in the High Street. |
For more leisurely shopping, visit Wellington, 7 miles west of Taunton, whose main streets feature a range of over 25 small specialist shops, or Wiveliscombe, at the Gateway to Exmoor, for its wide range of local and specialist shops.
For out of town shopping, visit Hankridge Retail and Leisure Park, featuring Hollywood Bowl and the Odeon Multiplex Cinema. It is also worth visiting the workshops of local artists and crafts people to buy their hand-made products directly from them.
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Please contact Taunton Tourist Information Centre for a Taunton Shopping Guide (see contact details in the panel below).
Christmas Shopping: Make the most of the lat night Thursday shop opening in Taunton in late November and throughout December. Park for free after 6pm and enjoy the ultimate in retail therapy! |
| Food and drink |
In the Heart of Somerset we pride ourselves on the high quality of locally-produced food and drink available - see the comprehensive 'Eating Out/Where to Buy' Guide, which features details of where to buy the best Somerset produce. |
| Things to see and do... |
With a wide range of attractions from Sheppy's Cider, West Somerset Railway, Hestercombe Gardens and the Willow & Wetlands Centre to National Trust sites, including Wellington Monument and Burrow Mump on the levels, there is something for everyone, whatever the age.
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| Getting Here... |
The Heart of Somerset is located off the M5 motorway at junctions 25 and 26 and served by the A38, A358 and A303.
Taunton is on the main national rail network in the United Kingdom, which means that from wherever you are travelling, you will be able to 'ditch the strain and catch the train' to the Heart of Somerset. The main line links Taunton with the south west peninsular of England, London and the rest of the UK. Travelling from the continent, it is possible to travel by Eurostar to London Waterloo and via the tube network, transfer and travel to Taunton.
To reach the Heart of Somerset by air, the closest airports are Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter. The area has road and rail connections to all major international airports including Heathrow, Gatwick and Birmingham.
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| Quality Accommodation |
| With high quality, independently inspected accommodation from hotels and B&B's to self catering cottages and camp/caravan sites, the Heart of Somerset has accommodation to suit all needs and prices. |
| Heart of Somerset Accommodation Booking Line |
If you would like to book Tourist Accommodation in the Heart of Somerset area, why not make use of our Accommodation Booking Hot Line, where our dedicated team will be pleased to make a booking on your behalf: Accommodation Booking Hot Line Telephone (0906) 302 0180
Please remember to mention www.equinetourism.co.uk when making an enquiry. For equine accommodation providers, please see the list of Accommodation Providers on this website.
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| History and Heritage |
| Taunton Heritage Trail |
Celebrate over 1100 years of Taunton's history in the self-guided walk around Taunton's historic buildings. The town on the Tone has found itself at the centre of many a bloody uprising, notably the anti royalist stance the town took during the Civil War and the Monmouth Rebellion. |
| Wiveliscombe Heritage Arts Trail |
The Wiveliscombe Heritage Arts Trail marks the sites of 28 pubs and inns with glass, mosaic, carved slate and sculpted figures. The trail also includes three markets that make up the gateway to the town, fine carved oak seats and sculpted gates for the Jubilee Gardens. |
| Wellington History |
Wellington's growth and prosperity dates back to the 18th century when the Fox family started to build their integrated woollen mill. A visit to the Wellington Museum will allow you to unravel the Fox Family Legacy - Lloyds Bank was formerly Fox's Bank, the last privately owned bank in England. |
| Levels and Moors |
After the last glaciation ended 10,000 years ago, the sea levels rose rapidly. All of the levels and moors area of Somerset was under water until c4500BC, when peat deposits began to form in the salt marsh, fen and raised bog environments. The levels and moors are steeped in history, myth and legends, including the last battle fought on English soil at Westonzoyland in 1685, where supporters of the Duke of Monmouth were defeated by King James II's army nearby. At the Isle of Athelney, witness the site where King Alfred allegedly burnt the cakes and the prehistoric timber tracks dating back to c4000BC. |
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