Taunton is the county town of Somerset, set in the Vale of Taunton Deane between the Quantock Hills and the Blackdown Hills, both designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is a market town at heart, with a history stretching back to Saxon times, and its compact centre has a pleasant mix of independent shops, old pubs, and the remains of a Norman castle that now houses the Museum of Somerset.
The castle museum is worth a visit for the Roman mosaic from the nearby Low Ham villa alone, but the real draw of Taunton is its position as a base for exploring the surrounding countryside. The Quantock Hills to the north offer superb walking through combes of ancient oak woodland, while the Somerset Levels to the east are one of England's great wetland landscapes, home to Glastonbury Tor and excellent birdwatching at RSPB Ham Wall. Exmoor National Park is less than an hour's drive away.
Taunton's weekly market on the High Street runs on Thursdays and Saturdays. The town has a good range of independent cafes and restaurants, with Brazz on Castle Green being a reliable option for modern British cooking. The Brewhouse Theatre on Coal Orchard hosts a varied programme of live music and drama. For a town of its size, Taunton punches above its weight as a place to eat and drink well.