Things to Do in Taunton

Large medieval parish church with a striking 163-foot spire visible across the county. Inside: carved wooden screen, fan-vaulted ceiling and a peace garden outside.

🕐 Monday to Saturday 09:00–17:00; Sunday 12:00–16:00

💡 Go mid-afternoon on a weekday when the light hits the stained glass above the chancel. The church often has free leaflets detailing the 16th-century monuments — ask at the welcome desk.

A 15th-century parish church with a striking 163ft tower and ornate fan-vaulted ceiling. Known for its painted rood screen and choir stalls.

🕐 Daily 09:30-16:30 (tower access varies, check noticeboard)

💡 Climb the tower on summer Saturdays for a clear view of the Quantock Hills — costs a voluntary donation of £3.

A medieval parish church with the tallest tower in Somerset (163 feet). The interior features a painted wooden ceiling, medieval carved misericords, and a wealth of Victorian stained glass. Free entry, donations welcome.

🕐 Monday–Saturday 10:00–16:00, Sunday 12:00–16:00

💡 Listen for the bells on practice night (usually Thursdays). Climb the tower on special open days—great for a small fee, but free for the view alone. Check the noticeboard for dates.

Open-air market held three days a week in the High Street and nearby car parks. Sells fruit, veg, flowers, and secondhand goods. Not huge but good for a wander.

🕐 Wed & Sat 08:00–16:00, Fri 08:00–14:00

💡 Go on Saturday for the biggest selection—the fish van from Brixham has excellent crab. Prices drop around 1pm as stallholders pack up.

Arts centre in a converted brewery, with free gallery space showing contemporary exhibitions. Also has a theatre and cinema, but those cost. The bar is open to all.

🕐 Mon–Sat 09:00–23:00, Sun 10:00–22:00

💡 The free exhibitions change every 6–8 weeks and often feature local artists. Grab a coffee from the bar and sit in the riverside courtyard if it's dry.

Arts centre and theatre housed in a converted brewery, with free exhibitions in the gallery space and free entry to the café-bar.

🕐 Mon-Sat 10:00-17:00 (gallery), café open until 21:00 on performance nights

💡 Free lunchtime concerts happen on first Thursdays — book via website, they fill up fast.

Free art gallery inside a theatre and arts centre, showing contemporary work by local and national artists. Usually small but well-curated shows.

🕐 Mon-Sat 10am-5pm (until 8pm on show nights)

💡 Visit on a Friday evening when the bar is open and you can get a drink to take into the gallery.

A renovated castle housing the county museum, with exhibits on local history from Roman times to the present, including the Monmouth Rebellion.

🕐 Tuesday–Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 11am–4pm (check bank holidays)

💡 Entry is free, but special exhibitions sometimes cost a few pounds. Check the 'What's On' page online before visiting, as they sometimes host free craft workshops on weekends.

A medieval castle in the town centre housing the Museum of Somerset. Exhibits cover local history, the Monmouth Rebellion, and a spectacular Roman mosaic. The grounds and castle exterior are free; the museum is also free.

🕐 Tuesday–Saturday 10:00–16:00, closed Sunday and Monday

💡 Head to the top floor for the best view of the castle's Great Hall and the surrounding park. The cafe serves decent tea at reasonable prices.

Local history museum inside Taunton Castle, covering 400 million years from fossilised seas to the Monmouth Rebellion. Spacious, well-lit galleries with hands-on bits for kids.

🕐 Tuesday to Saturday 10:00–16:30; closed Sunday and Monday

💡 Pick up a free trail sheet from the desk — keeps children occupied without costing a penny. The castle café garden is a solid spot for lunch if you have your own sandwiches.

County museum inside Taunton Castle, covering local history from the Jurassic to the Civil War. Highlights include the Frome Hoard of Roman coins and a gruesome skeleton from a peat bog.

🕐 Tue–Sat 10:00–17:00, Sun 11:00–16:00

💡 Head upstairs to the second gallery first—it's quieter and has a good display on the Battle of Sedgemoor. The cafe does a decent scone for £3.

A 12th-century castle housing the county museum with local archaeology, wildlife displays, and a medieval hall. Entry is free but donations accepted.

🕐 Mon-Sat 10:00-16:00 (closed Sun)

💡 Go on Saturday morning for the outdoor market right outside the castle gate — cheaper coffee than the museum cafe.

Norman castle housing local history exhibits, from Roman artefacts to Civil War armour. The building itself is the main draw.

🕐 Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-3pm

💡 Go on a Tuesday morning when it’s quietest; the kids’ activity tables are free and uncrowded.

Historic 12th-century castle with a surviving gatehouse and curtain walls. The exterior and grounds are free to explore; you can walk right around the outside and see the medieval architecture up close.

🕐 Grounds accessible at all times; castle interior (Museum of Somerset) free but has its own hours

💡 The castle’s south side has the best preserved Norman stonework. Come on a Saturday morning to catch the small outdoor market in the castle courtyard.

15th-century church with one of England’s tallest spires. Inside, fine carved wooden roof and medieval tombs.

🕐 Daily 9am-5pm (limited hours winter)

💡 Check the noticeboard by the door for free lunchtime concerts held occasionally in the summer.

A striking 15th-century church with a tall, decorated tower visible across the town. Inside, see the carved wooden pulpit and medieval brass effigies.

🕐 Monday–Saturday 9:30am–4pm, Sunday for services (check website for tower access)

💡 Climb the tower for a panoramic view of Taunton — it costs £5 but is well worth it for the vista over the Vale of Taunton. Book ahead via the church website as slots are limited.

Large Victorian park with lake, woodland walks, tennis courts, and a skate park. The lake has swans, geese, and a small boating area in summer.

🕐 Open 24 hours

💡 Walk the full perimeter path (about 1.5 km) for the best bird sightings. The parkrun starts here at 9am Saturday if you want a free 5k.

Large Victorian park with a lake, bandstand, tennis courts and a skate park. Well-kept flower beds, plenty of benches and a decent playground for younger ones.

🕐 Open 24 hours

💡 Early morning is quietest for a proper walk. The café near the lake does good tea and tolerable cake; avoid it during school holidays when queues build up.

Large Victorian park with boating lake, tennis courts, and mature trees. Good for a wander or a picnic.

🕐 Daily 7am-dusk

💡 Feed the ducks from the bridge over the lake – they’re friendliest in the afternoon after the morning school groups leave.

A 7-hectare Victorian park with a large lake, two bowling greens, a skate park, and a children's play area. The grounds are well-maintained with mature trees and flower beds. Free entry.

🕐 Open 24 hours, park gates locked at dusk

💡 The best free entertainment is feeding the ducks from the lake bridge—bring stale bread or bird seed. The park's cafe has good value ice cream in summer.