Taunton

Taunton
Nick Chipchase · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Taunton
Settlement type	Town
Coordinates	51.0206°N 3.1003°W
Subdivision name	United Kingdom
Subdivision type1	Country
Subdivision name1	England
Subdivision type2	Region
Subdivision name2	South West England
Subdivision type3	Ceremonial county
Subdivision name3	Somerset
Subdivision type4	Non-metropolitan district
Subdivision name4	Somerset West and Taunton
Leader title	Member of Parliament
Leader name	Rebecca Pow
Area total km2	36.44
Population total	60717
Population as of	2011
Population density km2	1665
Timezone	Greenwich Mean Time
Timezone DST	British Summer Time
Utc offset DST	+1

Taunton is a town in Somerset, England, located near the River Tone, with a rich history dating back to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and the Domesday Book. The town has been associated with notable figures such as King Ine of Wessex, King Alfred of Wessex, and Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who worked on the Great Western Railway. Taunton has also been linked to significant events, including the English Civil War and the Monmouth Rebellion, which involved James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth and Judge Jeffreys.

History

The history of Taunton is closely tied to the Roman Empire and the Norman Conquest of England, with the town being an important center for the Wool trade during the Middle Ages. The town was also a key location during the English Civil War, with Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex and King Charles I of England playing significant roles. Taunton has been associated with notable figures such as Thomas Hardy, who wrote about the town in his novel Tess of the d'Urbervilles, and William Wordsworth, who visited the town during his travels. The town's history is also linked to the British Empire, with Robert Clive and Warren Hastings having connections to the town.

Geography

Taunton is situated in the Somerset Levels, near the River Parrett and the M5 motorway, which connects the town to Bristol and Exeter. The town is also close to the Quantock Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the Blackdown Hills, which are popular destinations for hiking and cycling. The geography of the area has been shaped by the Ice age and the Holocene, with the town being located on a floodplain. Taunton is also near the Exmoor National Park, which is home to a variety of wildlife, including red deer and Exmoor ponies.

Demographics

The population of Taunton is approximately 60,000 people, according to the 2011 United Kingdom census, with the town having a diverse range of ethnic groups, including English people, Welsh people, and Irish people. The town is also home to a number of schools, including Taunton School, King's College, Taunton, and Richard Huish College, which are associated with notable figures such as John Wesley and William Temple. The demographics of the town are influenced by its location near the M5 motorway and the A38 road, which connect Taunton to Plymouth and Birmingham.

Economy

The economy of Taunton is driven by a range of industries, including manufacturing, retail, and tourism, with the town being home to a number of notable companies, such as Somerset County Council and NHS Somerset. The town is also a center for agriculture, with the surrounding countryside being home to a number of farms and estates, including Hestercombe Gardens and Cothay Manor. Taunton is also near the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, which is being built by EDF Energy and is expected to create a number of jobs in the area. The economy of the town is also influenced by its location near the Bristol Channel and the Port of Bristol.

Culture

The culture of Taunton is rich and diverse, with the town being home to a number of notable festivals, including the Taunton Festival and the Somerset County Cricket Club. The town is also a center for arts and entertainment, with a number of theatres, including the Brewhouse Theatre and the Taunton Theatre. Taunton is also associated with notable figures such as J.M.W. Turner, who painted the town, and Thomas Lawrence, who was born in the town. The culture of the town is also influenced by its location near the Glastonbury Festival and the Bath Festival.

Transportation

Taunton is well-connected to the rest of the United Kingdom by a range of transportation links, including the M5 motorway and the A38 road, which connect the town to Bristol and Exeter. The town is also served by Taunton railway station, which is on the Great Western Railway and provides regular services to London Paddington station and Bristol Temple Meads railway station. Taunton is also near the Bristol Airport and the Exeter Airport, which provide flights to a range of destinations, including Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. The transportation links in the town are also influenced by its location near the Bristol Channel and the Port of Bristol.