Taunton

If you are looking to escape the rat race, Somerset is an attractive place to live and the county town of Taunton is a gem. If you are thinking about moving there, investing in property or even starting higher education, here are some of the reasons why the town might be right for you.

House Prices 🏠

• Most expensive property: £1,150,000
• Average house price in city: £209,075
• Cheapest property: £95,000 (terraced freehold)

Property Investment 🏠 🏠 

• The property market in Taunton is characterised by an especially wide range of prices – from substantial homes costing more than £1 million to those that are altogether more modest
• In fact, the majority of homes sold in Taunton during 2016 were terraced properties, with an average price of £174,935
• Its current population of 110,600 is expected to grow to 119,000 by 2021, maintaining a higher than average proportion of those aged between 29 and 34. 

Economy ££ 

• Traditionally known for its cider-making, today’s major investors and employers include head offices for Debenhams, CANDAC, Viridor and health insurers Western Provident Association
• Taunton is a major beneficiary of some £65 million government investment in Somerset and Devon.

Location and Transport 🚌

• Junction 25 of the M5 gives direct access to the country’s motorway network
• Train services connect the town with Exeter and Reading and onward services to Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Penzance and Plymouth
• The road journey between Taunton and London takes an average of just under 3 hours, via the M5 and M4 motorways 

Education 🎓 

• Further education is provided by a number of academies and colleges of art and technology, with the Somerset College of Arts and Technology having partnered as a college of Plymouth University
• There is a range of acclaimed secondary schools in the town
• Three independent schools are each co-educational. 

Environment 🌷

• Taunton Visitor Centre is the first stop for directions to major environmental attractions, such as the Rural Life Museum at Bishops Lydeard Mill, the Cotleigh Brewery, and French Weir Park
• Taunton may be quiet, rural area in some places but also has excellent shopping facilities and first class restaurant

Trivia 🎬

Finally, did you know …

• In 1881, Taunton became the first town in the UK to be permanently lit by electric light
• Other places may lay rival claims to the name, but the “Angel of the South” was originally the “Willow Man” – a willow sculpture, braced by a steel frame, overlooking the Somerset levels
• Somerset is sparsely populated – although the 7^th largest county in area it is only the 22^nd biggest in terms of population.