6 Best Towns in Somerset to Live or Visit

What are the best towns in Somerset?

If you are thinking of moving and need to find out the best towns in Somerset, this is the article for you.

Somerset is a fantastic place to live.

Home to some excellent towns, buyers are gradually deciding that the towns in Somerset are among the best places to live.

As homes in cities and towns across the UK becoming more expensive, the potential of living in one of the towns in Somerset offers the allure of an exceptional location that may be more affordable than elsewhere.

The rural areas that are accessible in Dorset offer more breathing space as well as the choice to commute.

With the range of great towns in Somerset, buyers are ensured a choice of great schools, exciting activities and some stunning countryside!

It is clear that the county offers a variety of reasons that buyers would consider making the move.

There are some truly outstanding towns in Somerset.

But, with so many excellent towns to choose from, it is maybe a daunting task to begin your house search.

Regardless of what you need from your new home, one of these towns in Somerset is sure to tick all of the boxes.

These are our 6 Best Towns in Somerset to Live or Visit!

Frome

Once one of the largest towns in Somerset until the Industrial Revolution, and larger than nearby Bath from AD 950 until 1650, Frome is one of those towns you cannot help but fall in love with.

Full of charm, it was built on high ground at the eastern end of the Mendip Hills.

Winding cobbled medieval streets make for a delightful place to wander.

Dotted with plenty of little independents lining the main high street shopping in Frome provides plenty of opportunities to purchase a special one-off gift.

The town sits just outside the two busy locations of Bristol and Bath.

It has excellent connections so when its necessary to travel into the city you can be there in no time at all.

At the centre of the town is the pretty River Frome.

This affords residents some pretty walking routes running along much of its length.

Frome’s thriving and popular Wednesday and Saturday market showcases quality handmade products from independent businesses.

It also offers delicious locally produced produce!

It is the place where everyone gathers to shop and socialise.

There is no surprise that the town’s been named one of the best places to live in Britain by The Sunday Times!

Frome is also considered one of Time Out’s best weekend breaks from London and ‘the most Stylish town in the UK’.

You may be surprised to learn that despite Frome’s positive reputation the current average value of its property is only £335,578.

Glastonbury

Always the first thing that springs to mind is the Glastonbury Festival, undeniably one of the most famous festivals in the UK.

However, there is so much more to Glastonbury than mud, tents and music.

A busy place, the town became a centre for commerce in the early to mid-1800’s.

This led to the construction of the market cross, Glastonbury Canal and the Glastonbury and Street railway station.

Now a permanent home to around 10,000, Glastonbury is full of spirituality.

A popular year-round tourist destination thanks to its healing waters, the imposing Glastonbury Tor and its fascinating Abbey.

While Glastonbury offers plenty to do it also is well known in the region for its foodie scene, exciting nightlife, surrounding countryside and historical sites.

Outside of festival season, the town offers all sorts of things to keep you occupied.

Pretty much an institution, the weekly market is a busy affair!

The local shops are also interesting to say the least.

Many of which sell all manner of witchcraft supplies.

Nicely placed for exploring the region, Bristol is just 27 miles away, the coastal town of Weston Super Mare is 22 miles and Bath is 25 miles.

Bristol Airport sits 20 miles north and offers flights across the UK and Europe wide.

There is more to Glastonbury than meets the eye.

A great community spirit, plenty of culture and several “outstanding” schools.

Property prices are very reasonable with an average value of £324,963

Castle Cary

Referred to simply as Cary, a peaceful and quaint market town.

Castle Cary is located 5 miles north-west of Wincanton and 8 miles south of Shepton Mallet, on the River Cary.

One of the most attractive towns in the region, set in the glorious South Somerset countryside.

As the name suggests, a castle once stood in the town but no longer.

Many of the original building stones were in the construction of homes surrounding the town.

The only evidence remaining of the once-thriving castle is the source of the River Cary which rises from Park Pond, part of the original castle moat.

Cary is a town for all seasons.

The renowned illuminated carnival takes place in October and is a must-see!

Nearby 4 miles away is Haynes International Motor Museum.

13 miles away is Glastonbury Abbey, the legendary burial place of King Arthur.

The main hub has changed very little over the years.

The area is a delight and contains some unusual shops many of which still retain their fine nineteenth-century shopfronts.

Whilst the old buildings such as the impressive Market House and the popular George Hotel, a 15th-century inn are still in use today.

There has been some expansion to the north of Cary with new housing developments to make way for the increasing interest in the region, but for the most part, the area is comfortingly untouched its major asset.

Cary Castle has an average property price of £313,935.

Higher than Somerset as a whole (£289,012), it is well worth the extra in order to live in such a lovely place.

Shepton Mallet

The ancient market town of Shepton Mallet is very nicely positioned in the Mendip district of Somerset.

The town lies on the route of the Fosse Way, the principal Roman road into the South West of England.

There are 218 listed buildings in the town.

This includes the market cross that dates back to the 1500s and a 10th-century church.

Shepton is the old English for sheep. The town was heavily involved in the wool trade. During the 18th century, the wool industry mostly disappeared and made way for other economic activities, in particular brewing cider.

No time for boredom in Shepton!

The town offers the rugged beauty of the Mendip Hills, luxury outlet shopping, internationally recognised country shows and one of the oldest prisons in the UK, which is now open to the public.

Shepton Mallet sits 18 miles from Bath, 20 miles from Bristol and less than an hour from the UK’s popular western coastline.

Clearly, getting around to other popular areas in the region is conveniently easy.

The town is situated in the heart of Somerset and surrounded by villages and glorious scenery.

Shepton Mallet is the ideal place to experience life in a semi-rural but well-connected location.

Much less pricey than many other parts of Somerset, buying here costs an average of £281,829.

Axbridge

Just on the edge of the Mendips is the small medieval town of Axbridge.

Lying strung out along the main road running along the foot of the hills, linking Cheddar to the coast around 10 miles east.

Axbridge received a Royal Charter in 1202.

This was the year that King John sold most of the royal manor of Cheddar to the Bishop of Bath and Wells.

Axbridge grew in the Tudor period as a centre for cloth manufacture.

Although Axbridge may be a little of the “beaten track” for some, it has a very active community.

The town holds a number of events each year!

These include the Somerset Showcase Festival, the Blackberry Carnival, Harvest Home and Fair in the Square.

Having all sorts of clubs and societies further cements the close-knit friendly feel of this lively little town.

Half-timbered buildings lean towards each other across a narrow street leading from the medieval square in the town centre where you will find all manner of high street shops and local independents.

The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company is worth a visit, packed with an amazing variety of cheeses and ample opportunity to try them!

If you are a foodie, the Axbridge Farmers market is another great place to sample some of the locally produced cheeses and other products from around Somerset including the staples of bread, meat and fish as well as sweet and savoury snacks, preserves, ready meals and much more.

Cheddar Reservoir sits to the edge of the town.

The reservoir’s water runs from the Cheddar Yeo river in Cheddar Gorge.

A protected conservation site for wildlife, though paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing are permitted.

A home in Axbridge costs on average £426,127.

Wincanton

Wincanton is another of Somersets smaller towns.

The town is very strategically located!

The main A303 runs adjacent to Wincanton, offering great connectivity to places all over the county and beyond.

Situated in the east of the county, Wincanton is identified as ‘The Gateway to Somerset’, on the northeastern edge of Blackmore Vale, closely located to Wiltshire, North Dorset and Mendip.

Residents have access to a range of day-to-day facilities including doctor’s surgery, post office, library, schools, independent shops and two supermarkets.

Although there are three large areas of outstanding beauty well within reach of the town, the closest is Cranborne Chase, home to Longleat Safari Park.

Those new to the area will see that some locals commute across the region to Yeovil, Salisbury, and the historic town of Sherborne.

Two state primaries feed into the one secondary serving the town, King Arthur’s School, which is Somerset’s first specialist Sports College. There are a number of private schools to choose from also.

When it comes to describing Wincanton, “all-rounder” springs to mind. It just about covers all aspects of what is required for a pleasant standard of living in equally pleasant surroundings and all the modern conveniences supplied.

Property is reasonably priced for the area with an average value of £314,719.

Ready to Live in One of the Best Towns in Somerset?

Have you decided on the area that you want to live in one of these towns in Somerset?

Somerset offers a range of excellent towns that are perfect for buyers of all types!

If you are considering living in one of these towns in Somerset and have picket to perfect location from our list, we are here to help you start the moving process.

You can start planning your dream move with the assistance of our Somerset Removals service from White & Company today.

White & Company are also pleased to announce our new video survey service.

During these unprecedented times, we can safely conduct remote removals surveys.

We can gather all the relevant information for your move from the comfort of your own home.

So, give us a call today or fill out a quick quote form to see how we can get your move to Somerset going.

Max Peterson

Max is a seasoned writer and blogger in the real estate and home moving sectors, as well as a knowledgeable source of information for expatriates living and working abroad. His detailed insights have helped thousands of people move and live abroad with greater simplicity and ease.