Taunton Heritage Trail

Taunton Heritage Trail
Welcome to the county town of Somerset. Taunton is a thriving, forward-looking town
where modern life sits alongside relics of its dramatic past dating back to Saxon Times.
Taunton began as a Saxon village and was called Tone Tun. The Saxon word tun means
farm or estate. The word Tone is Celtic and may mean roaring river. By the 10th century
Taunton had grown from a village into a small town (although it would seem very small
to us with a population of only a few hundred). In AD 904 a charter (a document
granting the townspeople certain rights) was given to Taunton by King Edward the Elder.
Taunton has a turbulent past most notably in 1685 when the Monmouth Rebellion was
brutally quelled by Judge Jeffrey’s Bloody Assize in the Great Hall of Taunton Castle.
Taunton’s skyline is perhaps best recognised for its soaring towers and spires especially
St Mary Magdalene Church, which boasts the tallest tower in Somerset.
Taunton’s future is equally exciting with the start of Project Taunton. This new
chapter in the town’s development will see extensive regeneration of the town
making it the centre for sustainable and prosperous living in the South West - and a
fantastic place to be.
For now take a step back in time and witness the historic buildings and sites which
have made Taunton what it is today.
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Taunton Heritage Trail
In the Heart of Somerset there are some beautiful, original heritage sites, many of which are
marked on the Taunton Heritage Trail. Using this booklet you can visit the historic sites and
properties on a self-guided tour. Follow the shaded route on the map starting at Taunton
Tourist Information Centre and using the numbers on the map learn more about Somerset's
Historic County Town.
Taunton Heritage Trail
Taunton Historic
Buildings and Sites
(marked with plaques)
Page 3 - 11
The official Taunton Heritage Trail is marked with
heritage plaques in the ground to
mark the route. The trail
takes in 44 historic sites
and properties. Using
the map overleaf as a
guide each number
relates to the relevant
property, photograph
and descriptive text.
Page 12 - 17
There are many historic sites
in Taunton not on the official
trail route.
This section
highlights key
sites on the
map which
can be
viewed.
3
Taunton Heritage Trail
Trail Route
Pedestrian Area
Site of Interest
0
No of Site
River/Stream
Open Spaces
Bus Station
Tourist Information
P
Car Park
© Crown copyright. All rights reserved.
Taunton Deane Borough Council.
100019499 (2007)
4
1. 4 Fore Street – “Vision Express”
3. The Market House
Built as the “new” Wilts and
Dorset Bank in 1865, it was
later occupied by the Inland
Revenue and then altered in
1892 to house Drayton’s
Jewellers, which closed in about
1994. The shop front of
Drayton’s is in situ today and is
one of the earliest, complete
examples of its kind in the
town. Note the plaque to Alfred Bult Mullet, who
was born next door, he designed the Old Executive
Building, adjacent to the White House in
Washington DC and also designed the first built
skyscraper in Washington - the Baltimore Sun. Also
note the polychromatic stonework.
This centrepiece building
was originally
constructed in 1772. In
1930, the former single
storey wings were
demolished to allow
highway improvements
and the main building
was also revamped. Until the comprehensive highway
improvements were carried out in 1996, the longstanding “triangular” area of land in front of The
Market House remained, albeit no longer in its former
use as the town’s main market which operated until
1929. Traditionally, the centre of the town, this area, as
today, has always been busy. This was confirmed
during the “recent” highway improvements, when
more than 11 public houses, dating from about 1750,
were found in the immediate vicinity!!
2. Street Lighting
On the 1 May 1886,
Taunton was the first
town in the southwest
to permanently adopt
street lighting. The
1930’s street lamps,
which formerly
delineated the “triangle”
in front of The Market House, have been resited to
the rear.
4. 15 Fore Street - “Café Nero”
Due to the timber
framing, this building was
known for a long time
as the Tudor/Tudor
Tavern. Re-fronted in
1578, it was at one time
owned by the
Trowbridge clothiers, whose initials appear on the
façade. In 1685 it was occupied by wealthy grocer,
Thomas Baker, father of two of the “Maids of
Taunton”, who welcomed the Duke of Monmouth to
the town. It was subsequently occupied by one of the
infamous, ill fated, Duke of Monmouth’s Privy Council.
5
5. The Old Market Centre
7. 25 Fore Street - “Prezzo/Jaeger”
Enter this modern
centre via the narrow
Pig Market Lane into
Jarman’s Court, the
latter so named after
Edward Jarman, an
early Taunton
chemist, who died in
1690. Pig Market Square, pleasantly remembered by
three wooden pigs, recognises the area of the pig
market, established by 1614 and operating until 1882.
Built 1908 as a bank for
Stuckey’s, this prominent
building has housed a
succession of banks,
latterly the TSB, which
vacated in about 2001.
8. Bath Place
This was the former
main thoroughfare to
the west of the town,
until Corporation Street
was cut in 1894. Bath
Place is home to a
series of small specialist
shops operating from a near complete set of 19th
Century shop fronts, characterised by their
octagonal glazing fanlights.
6. 18 Fore Street
- “Former Going Places”
Outside 18 Fore
Street, move
towards the road
to view this
building. Whilst it
has a modest
Victorian façade, it
hides medieval
buildings with a wealth of decorative plasterwork.
Note the early gable projecting above the current
parapet and the original side passage to the left, now
giving access to Bath Place.
9. Mechanics Institute, Bath Place
This purpose built structure,
constructed by William
Beadon in 1838, housed the
School of Art from 1856 and
soon after the School of
Science and Art which
occupied the building until
about 1905 when it moved
into new, purpose built
premises, Hunts Court, in
Corporation Street.
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10. Mos Food/4 Alls
12. Mitre House
These two buildings,
acting as focal points on
the approach to the
town from the west,
highlight the existence
of the historic Bath
Place, now mainly a
thoroughfare of small,
specialist retailers.
This building formed part
of the Convent of
Perpetual Adoration, built
1867, to the design of J. F.
Bentley. Ghostly sightings
of a nun have been
reported on occasion.
Formerly known as St.
Paul’s House, it is the site
of the medieval Chapel of St. Paul.
11. County Hall - A Block
13. Mecca Bingo
This purpose built
cinema, was erected
1931-2,to the design
of W. T. Benslyn Note
the sculptured panel
above the entrance,
depicting “Love and
Life Entangled in the
Film”.
Understandably designed to have an impact on the
street scene, this purpose-designed civic building by
Emanuel Vincent Harris OBE RA (1935) houses a
wealth of contemporary detailing including stained
glass and panelling. The architect was also
responsible for a number of local authority buildings
including: County Hall, Cardiff (1909), Nottingham
(1925), Sheffield (1932), Leeds (1933), Bristol
(1939).
14. Hunts Court
Purpose designed by
Samson and Cottam,
this 1905 Art School
has the most imposing
neo-classical façade in
Taunton.
7
15. Cider Press Garden
18. Castle Bow
The old stone cider press
was a gift to Taunton and its
people from Taunton Cider
Company in their Golden
Jubilee year in 1971.
This is the last surviving
remnant of the Castle’s outer
bailey, the keep being
destroyed on the orders of
Charles II. Originally, this was
the East Gate of the Castle
and had a drawbridge - note
the modern portcullis, set in
the original grooves.
16. The Old Library Building “Pitcher & Piano”
The town’s public library
was opened here in 1905,
to the design of architect
Alexander Little of
London and part funded
by the Carnegie
Foundation. It remained
the town’s library until 1996 when its conversion to
a public house raised some eyebrows, due to the
covenant applied by the Carnegie Foundation, that
alcohol must not be consumed on the premises!!
19. Castle Hotel
Built about 1815 by
the Easton family, as a
private 2-storey
house, it was
originally designed to
mirror the
Winchester Arms. A
3rd and subsequently
4th storey were added in the 20th Century, thus
destroying the original concept. The building was
first converted to its current use in 1834, when it
opened as Sweets Hotel. Well known today, for its
cuisine and elegant accommodation, famous past
guests have included the future Tsar Nicholas I in
1817, the Duke of Wellington in 1819, the Emperor
of Mexico in 1824 and the then Princes of Wales in
1856 and 1932.
17. Old Municipal Buildings
The section to the right of
the main door was built in
1522 to house the town’s
Grammar School.
Founded by Richard Fox,
then Bishop of Winchester,
it cost £226 to build.
Badly damaged in 1645 during the Civil War, it was
restored and continued as a school until 1885. It
then became offices of Taunton Corporation until its
widespread offices were centralised in 1987.
8
20. Castle Green
22. St James Almshouse
The area defined by the
Castle, Castle Hotel, Old
Municipal Buildings,
Winchester Arms and
Mecca, once formed part of
the outer Bailey of the
Castle, added in 1215-16. It was also the site of
Taunton’s only burial ground from Saxon Times until
the 12th Century. Skeletons have been discovered
and others will no doubt follow, when deep digging is
found necessary in the area. Understandably, this area
(and beyond) is a scheduled Ancient Monument. The
original Saxon Minister almost certainly stood on
Castle Green. The Castle was sleighted in c1662,
with Castle Green becoming the site of a cattle and
sheep market from 1788, with the Assize fairs, finally
being banned by the Market Trustees in 1871.
This almshouse was
one of several which
once stood in St. James
Street. They were
removed in 1897, with
the frame of this one
initially being re
erected in former moat. In 1992, it was moved to
its current site and restored, now serving as an
important social record of living conditions in the
medieval period.
23. The Winchester Arms
The Winchester Arms
was built by Josiah
Easton in 1816 on the
site of another inn
called the Horse and
Jockey. Easton built what
are now the ground and first floors of the Castle
Hotel at the same time, and they initially formed a
matching pair.
21. Taunton Castle
The remains of the Castle and later buildings, house
the County Museum, Military
Museum and Gallery. By the early
10th Century, this was possibly the
site of the Bishop’s Hall. The
Castle was the scene of the
“Bloody Assize” when Judge
Jeffrey’s tried over 500 supporters
of the failed Monmouth rebellion in 1685. It also
served as a prison. The last trial in the south west for
witchcraft was held here in 1707, when Maria Stevens
was acquitted. Threats to demolish the remains of the
Castle and associated buildings in order to redevelop
were thwarted by Somerset Archaeological & Natural
History Society purchase in 1874.
24. Millers (Ina Cottage),
Mill Lane
Millers (was called
Fleur de lys in 1800’s)
is in Mill lane - the
site of old mill. It
became a Fulling Mill
in the 1200’s.
9
25. Post Office, North Street
28. St James Church
This imposing
purpose-built building
was opened in 1911.
It occupies the site of
the Spread Eagle Inn,
demolished as “surplus
to requirements”,
when magistrates
closed many houses in the town, at the behest of
teetotallers in the early 20th Century! (Note the
Black Horse logo on the adjacent property!)
This late medieval church with
its fine 15th Century font and
pulpit (1633) was originally
built to serve inhabitants who
lived outside the town’s
defences. The tower, in
common with most medieval
churches, was rebuilt in 18711875. A notable grave here is that of Joseph
Whidbey, the explorer and engineer, who was in
charge of building Plymouth Breakwater.
26. North Street
Congregational Church
29. St James Close Almshouses
Built in 1845, these
delightful almshouses are
a group of several in the
town, owned by Taunton
Town Charity, to serve the
needy of the community.
Built 1844 as North
Street Independent
Chapel.
30. Former Brewery (corner of St
James Street/Canon Street)
These fine maltings
are all that are left of
the brewery
established in Canon
Street at the turn of
the 18th century.
They were built in
1904, at a cost of
£4,000. The building
was converted in 2007 into apartments.
27. Tone Bridge
The medieval Tone
Bridge, first
mentioned in 1362,
was rebuilt in 1810
and again in 1834.
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31. Somerset County Cricket Ground
33. Octagon Chapel
SCC established in
Taunton 1875,
moving to this
ground in 1881. For
fixtures please call
0845 337 1875.
Opened in 1776 by John
Wesley. By the 1970’s the
Chapel had been
surrounded or extended for
use as a nightclub. The
accretions were removed
but the Chapel was once
again “hidden”, by the
housing today.
32. Somerset County Cricket Museum
(“Priory Barn”)
34. Somerset House
Another building
attributed to Richard
Carver, Somerset
House served as the
first District Registrar
Office, where the first
civil marriage since the
Civil War, took place
in 1837.
This building is
likely to be part
of the medieval
Augustinian
Priory. The latter
disappeared in
1539 with the
dissolution of
the monasteries
under Henry VIII. The “barn” now houses the
Cricket Club Museum, which is open throughout
the summer Tuesday to Friday between 10.30am
and 4.00pm, whilst on match days (apart from
Twenty20 games) it opens one hour before the
start of play.
11
35. St Mary Magdalene Church
37. Former Central Primary School
There has been a
church on this site
since at least the
12th century. The
magnificent 163 foot
tower, was rebuilt to
its original design in
1862. In order to
raise the stone
during construction, a pulley system was used,
operated by a donkey walking down Hammet
Street. When the work was complete, the donkey
was hauled to the top of the tower to admire the
view it had created! Taunton’s first known fire engine
was housed in the church tower (1734).
Built in 1866, by
Henry Davis, to
the design of
Benjamin Ferrey,
the school
replaced the
medieval St.
Mary’s
workhouse.
38. East Reach PO
A former use
was a butchers,
with food
hygiene not too
apparent in this
Photograph.
36. Hammet Street/Church Square
Hammet Street
was named after
Sir Benjamin
Hammet, a former
Taunton MP who
was the prime
mover in the
creation of the
road in 1788. Apart from a few alterations, Hammet
Street and Church Square, still retains it’s original
Georgian houses, albeit now in different uses.
39. Grays Almshouses/East Gate
These Almshouses
were founded by
Robert Gray in
1635 and still has
it’s original chapel
with painted
ceiling. One former
female occupant,
went to sleep
every night in a coffin, to avoid being handled after
her death! (1814).
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40. Venture (Former “Council
House”)
43. Waterstones/Marks and Spencer
Until the mid 1990’s, this
building was occupied by
the County Hotel, being the
last in a series of Inns/Hotels
operating from the site since
1529, when it was recorded
as the Three Cups.
Offices of the Local Board
of Health, later known as
Old Council House, the
name, still in evidence at
high level.
44. Cheapside
41. Phoenix Inn
A range of fine Regency
buildings, built in 1822 and
occupying an unusual
island site. Cheapside was
designed as a vista leading
to the town centre.
The former Inn, was run from
1855 until his death in 1865
by John Gill, England’s first
great lion-tamer, under the
name of Manchester Jack.
42. Swan Inn
Only the façade of the former
Inn remains, enveloped in the
body of Wilkinsons. This
approach is dated and not one
to be advocated today.
13
Key
Pedestrian Area
Site of Interest
0
No of Site
River/Stream
Open Spaces
Bus Station
Tourist Information
P
Car Park
© Crown copyright. All rights reserved.
Taunton Deane Borough Council.
100019499 (2007)
14
Taunton Historic Properties
15
45. Queens College
48. Toll House/Eye Infirmary
This independent school was
built 1845-7, to the design of
James Wilson of Bath and
London, as the Wesleyan
Collegiate Institution, Taunton.
This now unimpressive building
was constructed by Taunton
Turnpike Trust, 1815-16 and used
as a tollhouse until 1853.
Taunton’s Eye Infirmary, started
by James Billet, a surgeon and
oculist, occupied the site from
1854,until its closure in 1904. As
a result of “recent” re-rendering,
evidence of the former design of the building, can
be seen on the west elevation.
46. Haines Hill
Designed and built by
local architect, Richard
Carver, as a speculative
development. The first
houses were under
construction in 1858
and Carver’s hand can
clearly been seen on most of the villas on the north
side of the site and around the central green. Haines
Hill was the birthplace of Hugh Montague Trenchard
in 1873, father of the RAF, later (1936) Viscount
Trenchard.
49. Shire Hall
This large gothic building,
designed by W.B.Moffat,
and constructed 185558, now houses the
Crown Courts.
50. Taunton Jail
Part of the former
County Gaol, can be
seen behind the existing
Police Station. The
original gaol, built in
1754 and called
Bridewell, was enlarged
in 1815 and 1843 and
since the latter, called the County Gaol. 16
murderers were hanged here between 1844 and
1884, such being carried out on the prison roof
until 1867, attracting crowds of up to 8,000. Most of
the former cell windows on this side have been
enlarged for modern office purposes.
47. Lowlands, Trull Road
This imposing building,
whose former grounds
are now regrettably
occupied by modern
development, was the
design and home of
Taunton’s most prolific
architect, Richard Carver architect and County
Surveyor, whose building designs are evident
throughout the town.
16
51. Corner House Hotel/Park Street
54. Kinglake House - 42/43 Upper
High Street
The road itself was
constructed 1847-8. Houses,
including the former
Cannsfield House, (now the
Corner House Hotel), on
the north side, were largely
erected by a local but prolific builder of the time,
Henry Davis. His commissions included house
building at Billet Street, Cyprus Terrace, Haines Hill,
Billetfield (including his own house) and grander
projects e.g. rebuilding of St Mary’s Tower, construction
of the Church of St John, Park Street.
Major General Charles
Gordon lodged in this
house for five years, while a
pupil at Fullands House
School, South Road. He
was a British General who
served in the Crimean War, nicknamed “Chinese
Gordon” for the brilliant leadership of Chinese
Imperial troops during the Taiping Rebellion 1863-4.
55. Temple Methodist Church, Upper
High Street
52. Church of St John The Evangelist,
Park Street
The original Temple was
built in1808 by wealthy
bookseller, James Lackington
and named after his London
bookshop, “Temple of the
Muses”. Originally
comprising the central gable only ( aligned N/S), it was
enlarged in1846 and reopened after remodelling to a
design by J.Wilson, in 1869.
Designed by Sir GG Scott and built
by Henry Davis, the church was
consecrated in 1863, with the
organ being played in by composer
Samuel Sebastian Wesley in 1864.
53. Masonic Hall/The Crescent
The Masonic Hall terminates the
grand Georgian terrace in The
Crescent, the latter so named for
obvious reasons! The Masonic Hall,
opened in 1879, is a conversion of a
Catholic Chapel, which operated from
1822-1860, when the congregation relocated to the
newly opened St Georges Church at the top of Billet
Street. In the intervening years, the Chapel was used
as a wine and spirit warehouse, before being occupied
by Huish’s School for Girls between 1876 and 1891.
56. Vivary Apartments, Upper High Street
Originally the Full Moon Inn,
the West Somerset Savings
Bank, formed in 1817,
moved here in 1831,
following a remodelling by
local architect Richard
Carver. Its use as a bank
finished in the mid 1980’s when it was converted
to apartments.
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57. Vivary Park Gates
60. Jellalabad Keep, Mount Street
(best viewed from within Vivary Park)
These magnificent gates
were built by Walter
McFarlene & Co of
‘Glasgow’s’ Saracen
Foundry and completed
in May 1895.
This imposing building is all
that remains of the barracks of
Prince Albert’s 13th Regiment,
later the Somerset Light
Infantry. Built 1879 to 1881
and designed by Army
Divisional Surveyor, Thomas Berry and Major
Crozier RE. The name commemorates the
involvement of the 13th Light Infantry Regiment in
the siege of Jellalabad, Afghanistan 1841-42. It is
now a private dwelling.
58. Unitarian Chapel, Mary Street
Rebuilt in 1721, this fine
chapel still has its original
interior including Flemish oak
Corinthian columns, pews and
pulpit. Samuel Taylor Coleridge
came to preach at the chapel
on several occasions.
61. 53-55 High Street - “Yates”
In 1788, Mathew Colman set up a
linen draper in the town. In 1883,
the business became “Hatchers”,
with its grand new premises
opening here in 1894. Note - the
first and second floors, which now
with mirrored glass, were
designed to be shop displays - a
rare survival of such a tradition. Compare this
approach with that of the existing Hatchers on the
opposite side of the street.
59. Vivary Park
The name derives from
the area’s historical use
as a Vivarium - two
fishponds, kept by the
bishops of Winchester,
since at least 1207.
Manuscripts dating from
the 1360’s show that the Vivarium covered some 70
acres and provided pike bream and eels for
banquets. The current park was originally laid out in
1895 and restored with lottery funding in 2002. The
ornate fountain was built as a memorial to Queen
Victoria, was turned on by the Mayoress on 31
October 1907.1851, marked the first Flower Show
to be held here. The Flower Show continues to this
day.
62. United Reformed Church, Paul Street
Originally, Paul’s Meeting,
erected 1672, its interior
was wrecked in1683 by
Anglican mayor, Stephen
Timewell. It was rebuilt in
1797 and given its
present façade in 1877.
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63. Wessex Lodge
67. Trinity Church
Built in 1868 by Henry Davis,
(the local and prolific builder,
already mentioned elsewhere),
he occupied it until his death in
1892. It was later used as the
Portman Estate Office.
Trinity Church built by Richard
Carver county surveyor, white lias
stone with Bath stone edges.
Pevsner said “Starved lancet style,
quite original” 90 ft tower with 6
bells. Built in 1842.
64. St. Georges RCC
68. 160 East Reach
Purpose built to the design of
Benjamin Bucknell, the church
opened in 1860.
The Taunton Ale Brewery was
established on this site in
1776, this building, the former
owner’s house, the only
reminder. The brewery’s Pale
Ale was sold as far a field as
Bath, where it fetched a higher
price than London Porter.
65. Silver Street Baptist Church
Built 1815 and enlarged, with
it’s Italianate façade, 1870.
69. St Margaret’s Leper Hospital
Run from the 12th
century by the monks of
Taunton Priory, the
hospital had its own
chapel and cemetery.
Rebuilt in about 1510 by
Abbot Richard Bere of
Glastonbury, it was later used as almshouses until
the 20th century, when it was converted to offices.
Following two arson attacks in the early 1990’s, the
building was sensitively converted and repaired, to
four dwellings, for a local housing association in
2003.
66. Former Taunton and Somerset
Hospital
Founded by Dr. Malachi
Blake in 1809 and
opened in 1812 to
celebrate George III ’s
Golden Jubilee.
Operational as a hospital until?
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For tourist information, coach tickets, attraction tickets, event
tickets and accommodation please contact Taunton’s Award
winning Tourist Information Centre.
Taunton Tourist Information Centre,
Paul Street, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3XZ
Tel: 01823 336344
Fax: 01823 340308
Email: tauntontic@tauntondeane.gov.uk
346488
tauntontic@tauntondeane.gov.uk
346488
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Accommodation Booking Line: 01823 336344
Web: www.heartofsomerset.com
www.visitsomerset.co.uk
www.tauntontowncentre.co.uk
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