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← Back✦ Historic site

Taunton Castle: a motte and bailey castle, part of the outer bailey, an Anglo-Saxon cemetery and a Civil War artillery platform

2 ha

📷 Stephen Craven · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

BirdsPicnicHeritage
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome2 ha

Getting here

51.01538, -3.10449

Open directionsv
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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦47+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Robin and Long-tailed Tit
  • 🧺Good picnic destination in summer — open space and facilities for a relaxed day out
  • ☕The Castle Café — makes this an easy full-day family visit without needing to pack food

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
CaféParking· PaidPicnic spotToilets

Best for

12 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Robin, Long-tailed Tit, Woodpigeon +44 more · last seen 2026; Deciduous woodland — woodpeckers, warblers and woodland birds

Free

Picnic day out

picnic area, café, toilets, car park

Free

Heritage

Grade I listed building: CASTLE BOW; Historic site with public access

Free

Wildlife

Birds — Robin, Long-tailed Tit, Woodpigeon +44 more · last seen 2026; Deciduous woodland priority habitat

Free

Family friendly

café, toilets, picnic area

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Eristalis tenax, Marmalade Hoverfly, Syrphus ribesii +108 more · last seen 2026

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

6 signed routes nearby · 40 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Somerset Space WalkWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Taunton Heritage TrailWalking route
Named routeRef THTLocal walking route
Herepath Trail - ThurlbearWalking route
Named routeRef HTbLocal walking route
Staple Fitzpaine HerepathWalking route
Named routeRef SFHLocal walking route
East Deane WayWalking route
Named routeRef EDWRegional walking route
Whirligig Lanepublic footpath · 60 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 60 mSurface pavedPath type: footway
Castle Bowpublic footpath · 28 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 28 mSurface paving_stonesPath type: footway
Bath Placepublic footpath · 16 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 16 mPath type: footway
🚴

Cycling

52 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 3Cycling route527.7 km
Named routeRef 3Length 527.7 kmNational Cycle Network
Route 33Cycling route
Named routeRef 33National Cycle Network
EuroVelo 1 - Atlantic Coast Route - part United Kingdom 2Cycling route
Named routeRef EV1International cycle route
Main RouteCycling route1.5 km
Named routeRef 3Length 1.5 kmNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface unsealedfirm
Main RouteCycling route22 m
Named routeRef 3Length 22 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route91 m
Named routeRef 3Length 91 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface unsealedfirm

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Taunton Castle buildings

📷 Stephen Craven · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Taunton Castle buildings

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Weather for this location

Next 14 days

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Goodland GardensUrban park100 m→🌱Vivary ParkUrban park600 m→🌱Victoria ParkUrban park900 m→🌱Children's WoodUrban park1.6 km→✦HESTERCOMBEHistoric site4.6 km→🌱Castle GreenUrban park0 m→