Why you should move to Taunton, Somerset's county town

Architectural heritage

Peter James is an interior designer who specialises in listed properties. With complete refurbishment projects completed in Windsor, Eton and Bath, he, together with his partner Chris Wearden, purchased three Grade 2 listed Georgian townhouses in The Crescent in Taunton.

The terraced houses were originally built for wealthy merchants in the early 1800s but, during the 1960s to 1990s, were generally occupied and used as offices by accountants, dentists and lawyers. Like so many period properties and especially after the introduction of remote-working, many were left lying vacant and unloved.

Georgian townhouses in Taunton (Image: Robert Cooney)

Peter says: ‘Historic buildings not only need to be protected but made suitable for modern living. My designs always attempt to embrace environmental requirements too but each house retains their character and charm.

‘The properties in The Crescent are great for anyone who wants a prestigious home with secure parking and without the hassle and costs of maintaining large gardens. My house designs include a raised 35m2 screened terrace filled with easily maintained plants and hedges but there is also a walled garden at ground floor level. Say goodbye to the lawnmower!

‘Taunton is a great place to live. Unlike so many towns, Taunton has few empty shops and a real feeling of community. The wonderful centrally located Vivary Park with its golf course, annual flower show and concerts, the Brewhouse Theatre and riverside walks are literally on my doorstep.

‘Surprisingly a large number of owner-operated restaurants and cafes have opened post-Covid too. We have our fair share of street buskers too – my favourite is Luis Martelo who is an accomplished trumpeter and has a school here.

‘An old friend from London came to stay for a weekend last summer and couldn’t understand what I found to do in Taunton. His statement was perfectly timed as the first night we had a pre-theatre supper at Augustus followed by a superb play at The Brewhouse Theatre.

‘The following day (to prove my point) we popped over the road to Vivary Park and enjoyed the live concert by Simply Red. He returned to London Paddington in under two hours with just one stop at Reading. I rest my case, M’lord!’

The Grade 2 listed Georgian townhouses at The Crescent are for sale with prices starting at OIEO £1,100,000.Beautifully created dishes to savour at Podshavers Restaurant (Image: Getty)

A walk through time

Follow this 1.5 mile designated stroll as you explore the landmarks along the Taunton Heritage Trail. A great place to start is the Taunton Visitor Centre located in the historic Market House (built in 1772 and designed by Copelstone Warre Bampfylde, the creator of Hestercombe’s landscape gardens) where you can pick up a map (alternatively you can download it via visitsomerset.co.uk) You can also keep an eye out for metal plaques inset into the pavements to guide you too.

Highlights along the route include Taunton Minster, St Mary Magdalene Church. Its iconic 50 metre tower is built from a combination of red sandstone and local hamstone and is the highest tower in the county.

As seen on local news, this tower makes a great spot for peregrines to rear their young. April saw four chicks hatch and you can watch their progress live on the screen inside the church (weekdays 9am – 3pm Saturday 9am-2pm and Sunday around service times).

Magdalene’s Coffee Shop is a popular destination too. Not far from here is Grays Almshouses which were founded in 1635. A quirky story from our past states that one occupant in 1814 went to sleep every night in a coffin so that she wouldn’t be handled after her death!

15 Fore Street was for a longtime known as the Tudor Tavern due to its timber framing (now Café Nero). This building is connected to the Duke of Monmouth who led the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685 – an attempt to remove his uncle King James II and VII from his throne.

Tucked away down a narrow alleyway be sure to look out for Bath Place for a complete set of 19th century shop fronts. For further reading about the county visit Brendon Books which has a wealth of Somerset specific literature to peruse and do make time to pop into Dough for fresh pastries and homemade lunches.

Beautifully created dishes to savour at Podshavers Restaurant (Image: Jenny Tucker)

Summer dining

We all know how Taunton is the county home to cricket but have you experienced the locally sourced menu at the Podshavers Restaurant? A pod shaver is a craftsman who is skilled at carving cricket bats and this restaurant, which is nestled at the foothill of the Quantocks in Bishops Lydeard, offers the ideal courtyard for alfresco dining this summer whilst giving a nod to its cricketing heritage.

The Second Eleven outdoor area is this summer's spot to enjoy the catch of the day, or perhaps the crab, spring onion and chervil risotto? A firm favourite on the current menu is the fishcake which owner Jenny Tucker describes as a very special dish: 'When we pour the dressing over all of the colours swirl together, it's not just any old fishcake, this is theatre!'

Desserts include crowd pleasers such as chocolate & pistachio tart, lemon posset with blueberry curd, and rhubarb crème brûlée. With a cheeseboard of artisan cheeses and homemade crackers and chutney to complete the menu this secret hideaway is guaranteed to offer seasonal Somerset produce alongside its top notch service.

 The team at Altered Images (Image: Altered Images)

The winning style

As it approaches it’s 30-year milestone, Altered Images on Staplegrove Road has scooped ‘Hairdresser of the Year’ as voted by readers of the County Gazette. Founder Julie Way says; ‘Our goal is to understand every client’s hair and create the best style for them.'

Retail therapy

For locally-made gifts head to The Handmade Boutique which supports over 80 independent businesses all under one roof.

For those of you needing a new swimsuit this summer, Le Belle Boudoir specialises in swimwear, sportswear and post-op lingerie amongst their specially selected collections.

This feature was first published in Somerset Life magazine. To subscribe, visit www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/subscribe/somerset.