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Taunton Museums Other

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About Taunton - show info hide info

Taunton is the county town of the county of Somerset. It has a population of just over 45,000 inhabitants. The name comes from the River Tone, i.e. Tone Town. A castle was built here in 700AD by King Ine of Wessex. A monastery was later built prior to 904, which is when Taunton was granted a market charter. Even today the town holds a weekly market. The medieval town held fairs, at which woollen cloth products would be sold, called Tauntons. Upon the decline of the woollen cloth industry in the west of England, silk weaving was introduced into Taunton at the end of the 18th century. During World War II, the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal was a part of the Taunton Stop Line, designed to stop German invasion from the west coast. A number of the pillboxes used to defend the line remain in place today. Taunton lies on the Great Western Main Line, and sees a number of services between London Paddington and Penzance. In addition, the town sees services to Cardiff Central, which terminate and commence at Taunton, as well as local services between Bristol and Penzance. Also, Virgin Cross Country services between Penzance/Plymouth/Exeter and Scotland/The North of England. Nearby towns to Taunton include Street, Shepton Mallet, Honiton, Bridgwater, Norton Fitzwarren and Tiverton.