Taunton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Taunton |
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From the top to bottom-right, View of Taunton with the Minster on the right, Municipal Buildings, The Crescent, Vivary Park, Shire Hall
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 Taunton
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| Population | 60,479 (2011 census) |
| OS grid reference | ST228250 |
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| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | TAUNTON |
| Postcode district | TA1, TA2, TA3 |
| Dialling code | 01823 |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Devon and Somerset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Taunton is a historic town in Somerset, England. It is the county town, which means it's the main administrative center for the area. Taunton is also a market town, known for its busy markets and a special church called a minster. In 2011, about 60,479 people lived here.
Taunton has a long history, going back over a thousand years. A monastery was built here in the 10th century. Later, the Normans built Taunton Castle in the 12th century. Parts of this castle are now home to the Museum of Somerset. Taunton has also played a role in important historical events, like the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685.
Today, Taunton is a modern town with a large hospital, Musgrove Park Hospital, and is home to the Somerset County Cricket Club. It's also where the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office is located, which creates maps for ships. Every year, the popular Taunton flower show takes place in Vivary Park.
Contents
- Discover Taunton: A Historic Town in England
- A Look at Taunton's Past
- How Taunton is Governed
- Exploring Taunton's Geography
- Who Lives in Taunton?
- Economy and Business
- Fun Things to Do in Taunton
- Getting Around Taunton
- Learning in Taunton
- Places of Worship
- Arts, Culture, and Community
- Sports in Taunton
- Famous People from Taunton
- Taunton's Twin Towns
- See also
Discover Taunton: A Historic Town in England
A Look at Taunton's Past
The name "Taunton" comes from "Town on the River Tone". This means it's a town located by the River Tone. Long ago, in the Bronze Age and Iron Age, people lived in the area where Taunton is now. There was also a Roman farm nearby.
Taunton was an important place during Anglo-Saxon times. It was a "burh," which was a fortified town, and even had its own mint for making coins. Around the year 700, King Ine of Wessex built an earthen castle here. However, his queen, Æthelburg of Wessex, had it destroyed in 722 to stop rebels from taking it over.
A monastery was started in Taunton before 904. The bishops of Winchester owned the land and were given the first special permission for their "men of Taunton" by King Edward the Elder in 904. This meant they didn't have to pay royal taxes. Taunton grew into a town with about 1,500 people, including 64 "burgesses" (important citizens) who were led by a "portreeve" chosen by the bishops. Taunton became the main town of the county around 1366.
Civil War and Rebellions
During the English Civil War (1642–1645), Taunton Castle and the town itself were fought over many times. The town was defended by Robert Blake for a long time and many old buildings were destroyed.
In 1685, the Duke of Monmouth declared himself King of England in Taunton during the Monmouth Rebellion. However, his rebellion was defeated. After this, a judge named Judge Jeffreys held special courts in the castle's Great Hall.
Modern Changes and Growth
Taunton didn't officially become a "borough" (a town with its own local government) until 1627. This was renewed in 1677, but then stopped in 1792. It wasn't until 1877 that it became a borough again.
In the past, Taunton was famous for making woollen cloth called "Tauntons." When the wool industry declined, silk-weaving started in the late 1700s.
In 1839, the Grand Western Canal reached Taunton, which helped with trade. The railway arrived in 1842, making transport even easier. During the Second World War, the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal was part of a defense line to stop any German invasion. You can still see old "pillboxes" (small concrete bunkers) along the canal.
How Taunton is Governed
Taunton is run by a local council called the parish/town council and a larger council called Somerset Council.
Local Government Explained
For many years, a large part of Taunton didn't have its own parish council. Instead, a group called "Charter Trustees" looked after the town. But on April 1, 2023, a new Parish Council was formed.
The first elections for this new council were held in May 2023. Most of the councillors elected were from the Liberal Democrat party. This new council is expected to officially become a "Town Council."
Before 2023, Taunton was the main town of the local government district called Taunton Deane. This district was created in 1974 by joining Taunton with other nearby areas. The Taunton Deane Council used to be in the Municipal Buildings and then moved to Deane House. In 2019, Taunton Deane joined with West Somerset to form Somerset West and Taunton. Then, on April 1, 2023, Somerset Council took over, becoming a single council for the whole county.
Representing Taunton in Parliament
Taunton is part of a larger area called Taunton and Wellington for the House of Commons. This is where Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected to represent the area in the UK government. The current MP for Taunton and Wellington is Gideon Amos.
Exploring Taunton's Geography
Taunton is located by the River Tone. It sits between three sets of hills: the Quantock, Blackdown, and Brendon hills. This area is known as the Vale of Taunton.
Taunton is about 38 miles (61 km) southwest of Bristol and 28 miles (45 km) northeast of Exeter.
Nature and Wildlife
Taunton has several special areas called local nature reserves. These places are protected to help nature thrive. South Taunton Streams is a wetland in the town. The Children's Wood is a riverside reserve where animals like otters can travel along the River Tone. You might also see birds like kingfishers and grey herons, and butterflies like the small skipper.
Weirfield Riverside is another nature reserve along the River Tone. It has alder and willow trees, and plants like yellow flag in the wetter areas. Silk Mills Park and Ride has ponds and green spaces that support birds, bats, and other small creatures. Frieze Hill Community Orchard used to be gardens but is now an orchard with apple trees.
Weather in Taunton
Like most of South West England, Taunton has a mild climate. It's usually wetter and milder than other parts of the country. The sea nearby helps keep temperatures from getting too extreme. In July and August, the average high temperature is about 21°C (70°F). In winter, the average low is around 1°C (34°F) or 2°C (36°F).
Most of the rain in the southwest comes from storms moving in from the Atlantic Ocean. In summer, rain often comes from thunderstorms. On average, Taunton gets about 700 mm (28 inches) of rain each year. Snowfall is not very common, with about 8 to 15 days of snow per year. The wind usually blows from the southwest.
Who Lives in Taunton?
In 2011, the town of Taunton had a population of 60,479 people. This number includes the main town area and nearby villages like Bishop's Hull and Trull.
Taunton is the largest town in the Somerset county area. The wider area, called Taunton Deane, had an estimated population of 109,883 in 2010.
In 2011, about 91.6% of Taunton's residents were White British. This is similar to the ethnic mix of other major towns in the South West of England.
Economy and Business
Taunton has a healthy economy. In 2005, the unemployment rate in the Taunton Deane area was low, at 4.1%.
The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) is based in Taunton. This is a part of the Ministry of Defence that creates maps and information for ships. The UKHO employs about 1100 people.
The first store of the international clothing company New Look opened in Taunton in 1969. Taunton is also known for making cider.
Fun Things to Do in Taunton
Famous Buildings and Landmarks
Gray's Almshouses on East Street were built in 1615 to house poor single women. They are made of red brick and have a small chapel inside.
St Margaret's Almshouses started as a place for people with leprosy in the 12th century. Later, in the 16th century, it was rebuilt as almshouses (housing for poor people). Today, it has been restored and is used for social housing.
The grounds of Taunton Castle include the Somerset County Museum and The Castle Hotel. The Castle Bow archway is a famous entrance.
The front of the Tudor Tavern on Fore Street, which is now a Caffè Nero, dates back to 1578. However, parts of the building are thought to be even older, from the 14th century.
The area by the river, north of the town center, has a Morrisons supermarket and the Brewhouse Theatre. There are also places like the Zinc Nightclub and Goodlands Gardens. The County Cricket Ground is also in this area and hosts concerts.
Shopping and Entertainment
Taunton has several retail parks for shopping. Hankridge Farm, now called Riverside Retail Park, is near the M5 motorway. It has large stores like Currys PC World and B&Q, along with restaurants, an Odeon cinema, and a Hollywood Bowl bowling alley.
Other retail parks include Belvedere, St Johns, and Priory Fields. Priory Fields was updated in 2003 to make it more modern.
The Old Market used to be a farmers' market. Now, a large indoor shopping center called Orchard is in its place. Locals still sometimes call it the "Pig Market" because a pig market was there from 1614 to 1882.
County Walk is a smaller indoor shopping area in the town center. It has a Sainsbury's supermarket and other popular shops and cafes like Subway and Costa Coffee.
Parks and Green Spaces
Taunton has lovely public parks, including Vivary Park, Goodlands Park, and Victoria Park. Vivary Park is the most well-known. It used to be a medieval fish farm for Taunton Priory and Taunton Castle. The park is 7.5 hectares (19 acres) and has a stream, a war memorial, a miniature golf course, tennis courts, and playgrounds. It also has a golf course and beautiful flower beds.
The Taunton Flower Show is held in Vivary Park every year. It's a very popular event, sometimes called "The Chelsea of the West," and attracts thousands of visitors. Goodlands Gardens is in the town center, behind the old Debenhams store.
Pride Rainbow Path
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The Pride Rainbow Path is in Goodland Gardens, right by the River Tone. It was designed by Jenny Keogh and Liz Hutchin and opened on June 28, 2021. This path celebrates diversity and inclusion in Taunton. It uses the traditional LGBT rainbow colors and also includes the "Progress" flag design, which represents transgender people and ethnic minorities. The path is 62 meters long and shows Taunton's commitment to being a welcoming place for everyone.
Getting Around Taunton
Train Travel
Taunton railway station is an important stop for trains. You can catch trains here to places like London Paddington, Exeter St Davids, Plymouth, and Bristol Temple Meads. Two main train companies, Great Western Railway and CrossCountry, operate services from Taunton.
There used to be a railway line to Minehead, but it closed in 1971. Now, the West Somerset Railway is a special heritage railway that runs between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead.
Road Connections
Taunton is well-connected by roads. The M5 motorway has two junctions near the town (junctions 25 and 26). Other important roads include the A38 and A358. The M5 bypass around Taunton opened in 1974, which helped reduce traffic in the town center.
To help with traffic as the town grows, new roads have been built. The "Third Way" (A3807) opened in 2011, and the Northern Inner Distributor Road (A3087) opened in 2017.
Buses and Coaches
Local bus services in Taunton are mainly provided by The Buses of Somerset. They have routes to towns like Minehead, Bridgwater, and Yeovil. The main bus stops are now on The Parade or Castle Way.
Taunton also has a "park and ride" service. This allows people to park their cars outside the town and take a bus into the center, which helps reduce traffic. Long-distance coach services, like National Express, connect Taunton to many other places across the country.
Canal Travel
The Bridgwater and Taunton Canal is a waterway that links Taunton with Bridgwater. It first opened in 1827. It was closed for a while but was restored and reopened in 1994, allowing boats to use it again.
Learning in Taunton
Taunton has several state secondary schools, including The Castle School, Monkton Wood Academy, Bishop Fox's School, and The Taunton Academy. For further education after secondary school, students can go to Richard Huish College or Bridgwater and Taunton College.
There are also three private schools in Taunton: Queen's College, King's College, and Taunton School.
For young people with special educational needs, there are schools like Sky College and Selworthy School.
Places of Worship
The Taunton Minster Church of St Mary Magdalene is a beautiful church made of sandstone. It has a tall, impressive tower from the 15th and 16th centuries, which was rebuilt in the 1800s. It's 158 feet (48 meters) high and is considered one of the best church towers in England. It has 12 bells.
Nearby is the parish church of St James. The oldest parts of this church are from the early 14th century. It also has a sandstone tower, which was rebuilt in the 19th century.
The church of St John the Evangelist was built in 1858. The church of St Andrew was built in 1878.
Taunton also has other places of worship. The Taunton Unitarian Chapel on Mary Street dates back to 1721. The famous poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge sometimes preached there. St George's is the town's Roman Catholic church, built in the mid-19th century.
Arts, Culture, and Community
Taunton town center has the Brewhouse Theatre. It closed for a short time but reopened in 2014. The Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre is another professional theatre located at Heathfield Community School. It hosts plays, dance shows, and comedy acts.
Taunton's largest church, St Mary Magdalene, holds several concerts each year. Many music and drama groups in Taunton are part of the Taunton Association of Performing Arts (TAPA), which shares information about local performances.
Taunton has three radio stations: BBC Radio Somerset, Tone FM, and Apple FM.
Sports in Taunton
Taunton Rugby Football Club (RFC) plays in a league called National League 1. They moved to their current home, the Commsplus Stadium, in 2001.
The County Ground is the home of Somerset County Cricket Club (CCC). This club was formed in 1875. The ground can hold 8,500 people and is also home to the England women's cricket team. The Somerset Cricket Museum is nearby.
Taunton Town Football Club (FC) plays at Wordsworth Drive. The current team was started in 1947. In 2022, the club was promoted to the National League South for the first time in its history.
The Somerset Vikings are a rugby league club formed in 2003. They play at Hyde Park, which is also home to Taunton RFC.
The Taunton Tigers are a semi-professional basketball team. They play their home games at Wellsprings Leisure Centre.
Taunton Racecourse is about 2 miles (3 km) from the town center, near the Blackdown Hills. Horse races have been held at this site since 1927.
Famous People from Taunton
Many interesting people were born in Taunton or have lived here:
- Jenny Agutter (born 1952), an actress.
- Pattie Boyd (born 1944), an actress and model.
- Jos Buttler (born 1990), an England cricketer.
- Deborah Criddle (born 1966), a para-equestrian who won gold medals at the Paralympics.
- Stephen Daldry (born 1960), a famous film and stage director.
- Antony Hewish (1924-2021), an astronomer and Nobel Prize winner.
- Jack Leach (born 1991), a Somerset and England cricketer.
- Deborah Meaden (born 1959), a business person and star of the TV show Dragons Den.
- Viv Richards (born 1952), a famous West Indies cricketer who played for Somerset.
- Gary Rhodes (1960–2019), a celebrated chef.
- Marcus Trescothick (born 1975), an England cricketer.
- Hugh Trenchard, 1st Viscount Trenchard (1873–1956), a military officer who helped create the Royal Air Force.
Taunton's Twin Towns
Taunton is twinned with three other towns around the world:
- Lisieux, France – since 1951
- Königslutter, Germany – since 1992
- Taunton, Massachusetts, United States
See also
In Spanish: Taunton para niños
