Location: Taunton
Top Things to do in Taunton
Top 9 Nature & Parks in Taunton, England
Taunton /ˈtɔːntən/ is a large regional town in Somerset, England. The town currently peaks at a population of 69,570 as of 2018. The town itself has over 1,000 years of religious and military history, including a monastery dating back to the 10th century and Taunton Castle, which has origins in the Anglo Saxon period and was later the site of a priory. The Normans then built a stone structured castle, which belonged to the Bishops of Winchester. The current heavily reconstructed buildings are the inner ward, which now houses the Museum of Somerset and the Somerset Military Museum.
Restaurants in Taunton
1. Quantock Trekking
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 131 reviews
Reviewed By Sassy_Murdoch - Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom
My husband and I spent a lovely weekend staying at Bashford Lodge at Quantock trekking, which included riding on Saturday and Sunday. Gill and the friendly staff took the time to match us with the right horse for our experience and confidence. My husband had had a lot of lessons but hadn't done much hacking, so they put him on a quiet safe mare, and I had done more hacking but lost my confidence, so they put me on two different, safe cobs. Saturday was a 5 hour pub ride with a stop for lunch in a pub where we were met by Gill and some staff, who tied up the horses and gave them hay nets while we eat lunch. I was very tired after three and a half hours so one of the staff rode my horse back and I got a lift, but my husband managed the whole 5 hours. I didn't feel I could do the 3 hour trek on the Sunday so my husband did 3 hours and I went on a separate 2 hour trek. The point of telling you is that they were very accommodating. One of the highlights of the weekend was watching the horses come down the hill for their breakfast, then back up the hill after their ride as they went past our balcony. Although the horses we rode were safe and calm, they were all very fit, and the Saturday ride had about 6 canters. Some of those cobs can really go! So if you are more experienced there is also plenty to enjoy, but equally, there are novice rides too. The horses were happy and healthy. The scenery is incredible and vary varied - you could see for miles on top of the hill and we met several wild ponies. I would definitely recommend Quantock trekking and hope we have the opportunity to return.
2. Mill House Equestrian Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By RRSx
Barry is a fantastic teacher. I learnt to ride with Barry from the age of 6 and continued weekly lessons for nearly 10 years both on my own horse and the school ponies. He teaches you how to ride PROPERLY, how to stay on naughty horses and improve on skills. If your looking for a riding school to learn how to ride or just to continue riding in a fun environment then this is your place.
3. Somerset Towpath
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 60 reviews
Reviewed By stevepN8051KS - Launceston, United Kingdom
Walked from Bridgewater out to the boat and anchor pub which was just short of two miles. It's a lovely peaceful walk with good terrain. Not busy at all, canal looks a bit neglected in parts but still beautiful for the most part.
4. West Sedgemoor Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
This reserve is made up of deciduous woodland and one of England's largest remaining low-lying moorlands.
5. Hestercombe Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 989 reviews
Based near Taunton in Somerset, Hestercombe House and Gardens features a unique combination of 300 years of garden design, a contemporary art gallery and award-winning visitor facilities. We’re a place where visitors can explore, learn and relax. The Gardens include Coplestone Warre Bampfylde's Georgian landscape garden, the Victorian terrace and shrubbery and the beautiful Edwardian garden design by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll. All have undergone restoration and today provide important examples of gardens in contrasting styles that continue to grow and develop. As part of your visit, relax in the warm and welcoming Stables Cafe with a tasty hot or cold lunch, and a range of savoury and sweet afternoon teas. Hestercombe Gallery presents the best in contemporary art exhibitions whilst focusing on the relationship between art and landscape. Hestercombe is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm, (closed on Christmas & Boxing Day). Dogs welcome. Booking online essential.
Reviewed By melsie21 - Taunton, United Kingdom
Formal gardens with scented roses, a wonderful walk through woods with a cascade, ducks on the fish ponds, follies and birdsong, a great café for coffee, tea, or lunch - and all just a couple of miles from Taunton - what more could you ask.
6. Vivary Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 445 reviews
Reviewed By T1m0te1 - Bath, United Kingdom
We wanted a stop en route to our holiday destination and found this park, with mention of mini golf and play areas. We were not disappointed. There are car parks close by- less than five minutes' walk- and shops if you didn't bring your own picnic. There are beautifully maintained flower beds and lawns, a lovely little golf course (18 holes and well-kept) plus high ropes, climbing frames, lawns and trees and ducks (and gulls, of course). The whole place was immaculate; even the gates in were majestic in white, red and gold paint. It is absolutely fabulous!
7. RSPB Swell Wood Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Part of a continuous strip of ancient woodland extending some 10 miles along the ridge from Langport to the Blackdown Hills. It has the largest colony of breeding grey herons in south-west England - more than 100 pairs and a small number of little egrets nest here. March-June is the best time to come and see the spectacle. If you're lucky, you might see a dormouse too.
Reviewed By KT1066 - Weston super Mare, United Kingdom
Wonderful quiet wood to spot lots of small birds in the car park using the feeders plus a hide to observe the herons.
8. Shakees Play Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 38 reviews
9. Trull Waterfall
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By davidrL767RY
Magical. I was sceptical about the rejuvenation properties of the water but it is true! I have taken my before and after photos to prove it!
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