Estate Agents In Taunton

Taunton sits in the fertile Vale of Taunton Deane, flanked by the Quantock Hills to the north and the Blackdown Hills to the south. It’s the county town of Somerset, and has served as the administrative centre of the region for centuries. The River Tone winds through the middle of town, and in recent years the riverfront has been the focus of significant redevelopment, with new apartments, restaurants and public spaces opening along its banks.

The town’s roots stretch back to the seventh century, when King Ine of Wessex established a fortification here around 680 AD. Taunton Castle, which still stands at the centre of town and now houses the Museum of Somerset, was the site of Judge Jeffreys’ Bloody Assizes following the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685.

The wool trade brought prosperity during the medieval period, and much of the town’s older architecture reflects that era of growth. St Mary Magdalene Church, with its striking tower visible from miles around, is one of the finest examples of Somerset perpendicular Gothic architecture.

Property styles in Taunton: Taunton’s housing stock is notably varied. The town centre and its immediate streets feature Georgian and Victorian terraces, many built from the local red sandstone that gives parts of the town a distinctive warmth.

Further out, you’ll find inter-war semis, post-war estates and more modern developments. Period conversions near the Castle and along the riverside sit alongside purpose-built flats in newer schemes. In the surrounding area, particularly towards Bishops Lydeard and Trull, detached properties with larger plots are more common, often with countryside views.

Desirable streets: Some of the most desirable streets include Staplegrove Road, Kingston Road and the roads around Vivary Park, where you’ll find substantial Victorian and Edwardian homes. The area around Trull and Comeytrowe has seen considerable development in recent years, with family-sized homes proving popular. Along the River Tone, the Coal Orchard scheme has introduced contemporary apartment living to the town centre.

Development in Taunton: The Firepool regeneration is the most significant current project, transforming a seven-hectare brownfield site next to the railway station into a mixed-use development with 200 homes, a hotel, retail space, a cinema and new public spaces.

The Coal Orchard development, completed on the riverside, brought 42 apartments alongside commercial and start-up business units, restaurants and a gym. These projects have noticeably shifted the feel of the town centre, particularly along the river.

Taunton is well positioned for getting around, whether by road, rail or on foot. Its location on the M5 corridor and the mainline rail network means the town punches above its weight for getting around, given its size.

• Car & Road – The M5 motorway runs along the eastern edge of Taunton, with Junction 25 providing direct links. Bristol is roughly 50 minutes north up the M5, and Exeter is about 35 mins south. The A38 passes through the town, and the A358 connects Taunton to the A303 and onwards to London via the M3. The ongoing improvements to the A358 between Taunton and Ilminster will further improve this route.
• Train – Taunton railway station sits on the Great Western Main Line, operated by GWR. Direct services reach London Paddington in around one hour 40 mins on the fastest trains, with regular departures throughout the day. Bristol Temple Meads is approximately 45 minutes away. CrossCountry services also call here, linking Taunton to Birmingham, Manchester and further north.
• Bus – First Bus runs the majority of local routes, having invested over £12m in new vehicles and electrifying the Taunton depot. Services connect the town centre with surrounding area destinations including Wellington, Bridgwater, Minehead and the villages around the Quantocks. Over 40 routes serve approximately 400 stops across the area.

Taunton is one of those county towns where day-to-day life is genuinely straightforward. The essentials are all within reach, and there’s enough variety in the food, shopping and leisure on offer to keep things interesting without needing to drive to Bristol or Exeter.

1. Shopping: The Orchard Shopping Centre (30 High St, TA1 3PG) anchors the town centre, with the usual high street names alongside independent retailers. The high street itself hosts a popular farmers’ market every Thursday, selling local meat, cheese, bread and seasonal produce. Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons all have large stores in the area, and there’s an Aldi and Lidl for budget shopping. For something different, the independent shops along Bath Place and St James Street offer antiques, books and speciality food.
2. Eating & Drinking: The Coal Orchard development by the river has brought several new restaurants and bars to the town centre. Rumwell Farm Shop and Café, on the outskirts, is a well-known destination for breakfasts and lunches. The Ring of Bells in West Buckland and the Hatch Inn near Hatch Beauchamp are two long-standing country pubs within a short drive that draw foodies from the wider area.

Taunton’s position at the foot of the Quantock Hills, with centuries of history layered into its streets, means there’s no shortage of places worth visiting. Here are some of the most notable.

• Museum of Somerset (Taunton Castle) – Housed within the walls of the medieval castle, the museum covers Somerset’s story from prehistoric times to the present day. Highlights include the Frome Hoard of Roman coins, the Low Ham Mosaic and an impressive collection tracing the county’s social history.
• St Mary Magdalene Church – The tower of this church is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Somerset, standing over 160 feet tall. Rebuilt in the early 1500s, it’s a superb example of perpendicular Gothic architecture and was elevated to minster status in 2022.
• Hestercombe Gardens – Just outside Taunton, this 50-acre estate brings together three centuries of garden design: a Georgian landscape garden from the 1750s, a Victorian shrubbery and the celebrated Edwardian formal gardens designed by Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll.
• Vivary Park – A well-maintained Victorian park in the centre of town with ornamental fountains, a bandstand, tree-lined walks and formal flower beds. A focal point for the local area and a genuine selling point for properties nearby.
• West Somerset Railway – Running from Bishops Lydeard, just outside Taunton, to Minehead on the coast, this is the longest heritage railway in England. The 20-mile line passes through the Quantock Hills and offers seasonal events throughout the year.