These are all the times the Queen visited Somerset

Britain's longest reigning monarch in history touched the lives of the country by her sheer presence alone.

But in many cases, people had the opportunity to see Her Majesty in person or even meet her.

This was undoubtedly the case locally, with Queen Elizabeth II having visited Somerset on numerous occasions during her reign.

We have compiled a list of all the times Her Majesty visited our area.

She visited Burnham and Highbridge on a foggy December day in 1958.

The Queen signs her name at the GPO radio station near Burnham (Image: Unknown)

The streets en route to her destination - a visit to the GPO Radio Station in Burnham Without - were decorated complete with British flags, bunting and other regalia as the population took the chance to welcome Her Majesty.

On 19 April 1968, she visited Langford to open a new Meat Research Institute with the Agricultural Research Council.

Her Majesty visited Weston-super-Mare in 1977. Hordes of people spoke to the royal couple, including scouts, brownies, guides and members of St John Ambulance. 

The Queen on a visit to Weston in 1977. (Image: Unknown)

Much later in May 1987, Her Majesty visited several locations in Taunton and also popped over to Bridgwater.

The Taunton visit drew crowds of an estimated 30,000 who lined the streets for the event.

Unknown (Image: Unknown)

It was said to be the first by a Monarch to Taunton in almost 500 years after the Monmouth Rebellion.

A walkabout in Castle Square - complete with accompanying performances from the likes of the Taunton Deane Morris Men - saw more subjects given the chance to set eyes on Her Majesty.

Visits included taking in the Museum of Somerset and the Military Museum - opened by the Queen Mother 13 years before - before a tour of the Municipal Buildings, in Corporation Street after a sun-drenched walkabout across the square.

They also visited Musgrove Park Hospital, where they were shown around the facility's new building, after arriving in a glass-topped Rolls Royce.

During the visit, Her Majesty and the Prince also stopped off at the County Hotel, in East Street, for a luncheon with officials from various groups, including the county and borough councils, health authorities and more.

As she made her way into the hotel, the Queen was presented with a posy by five-year-old Nicola Quinn, the granddaughter of Mr and Mrs Cyril Bond, mayor and mayoress of Taunton Deane.

In June 1991, Her Majesty attended a Royal Naval Air Station presentation of the Queen’s Colour to the Naval Air Command.

In April 1993 she was in Wells for a Maundy Service at the Cathedral.

It would be another nine years before the Queen returned to our area, but in May 2002 she dropped by Bath, Wells and Taunton with the Duke of Edinburgh. 

She returned in July 2007, spending a lot of time in Weston-Super-Mare. She visited the Helicopter Museum, Ashcombe Children’s Centre, Winter Gardens, Knightstone Island and the 'For All Healthy Living Centre'. She also visited Yeo Valley in Blagdon and Yatton Station.

The Queen greeted children in Weston in 2007. (Image: Unknown)

As part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012, The Queen visited Yeovil and Crewkerne.

In her final visit to the area in 2019, Her Majesty visited the Hauser & Wirth gallery in Bruton as well as Kings School.

She also visited Paul Nicholls' racing yard in Ditcheat.

Her Majesty arrived in Castle Cary station by Royal Train where she was met by Annie Maw, the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, and was presented with a posy by a child.

The Queen then departed for Manor Farm Stables in Ditcheat where she met champion trainer Paul Nicholls.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Nicholls described the occasion as "amazing".

"It was a fantastic experience to bring Her Majesty to the yard and meet the superstar horses. I was more nervous about today then I was about the Cheltenham Festival," he said.