Taunton has been the County town of Somerset since 1935, but was once occupied by the Saxons. Steeped in history the County cricket ground was founded by King Ina the Saxon king in the 7th Century, and the town’s 12th century castle was the location of Judge Jeffrey’s “Bloody Assizes”, held when the Duke of Monmouth attempted to seize the throne of England and failed in 1685. Today the castle houses the Somerset County Museum, which shows how life was in Somerset during native and Roman occupation.

Taunton is the birthplace of Lord Hugh Montague Trenchard, the father of the Royal Airforce who saved Great Britain from defeat in 1940, and is now buried in Westminster Abbey.

Taunton has grown since the opening of the M5, providing an opportunity for visitors to view its beautiful country houses and gardens, museums and nature trails, as well as offering easy access to the rest of Southern England.