Willowbank shepherds hut

Taunton is the county town of Somerset, England. It is a market town and has a minster church. Its thousand-year history includes a 10th-century monastic foundation, owned by the Bishops of Winchester, which was rebuilt as Taunton Castle by the Normans in the 12th century. Parts of the inner ward house were turned into the Museum of Somerset and Somerset Military Museum. For the Second Cornish uprising of 1497, Perkin Warbeck brought an army of 6,000; most surrendered to Henry VII on 4 October 1497. On 20 June 1685, the Duke of Monmouth crowned himself King of England in Taunton in the failed Monmouth Rebellion. Judge Jeffreys led the Bloody Assizes in the Castle's Great Hall.

One of the most notable landmarks in Taunton is the Taunton Castle, which dates back to the 12th century. The castle has been meticulously restored and now houses the Museum of Somerset, where YOU can explore the history of the region through interactive exhibits and displays.

If YOU are a nature lover, Taunton is the perfect destination for YOU. The town is surrounded by stunning countryside, with the Quantock Hills and Exmoor National Park both within easy reach. These areas are popular with hikers, cyclists and horse riders, and offer some of the best views in the country.