Taunton becomes national property hotspot.

[Skim]

It’s no Shepton Mallet though.

 

[xenon]

My dad used to go on a workmates jolly to an x colleague's pub just outside Taunton. I went too once and got horribly drunk in the beer garden,. Think it was the 3 Horse Shoes. This was 20 odd years ago. You could get a gerry can of rough as fuck cider brewed at their "sergery."

Never had cause to go into the town.

 

[cupid_stunt]

It’s no Shepton Mallet though.

Nor is it Bridgwater or Chard.

 

[Hollis]

The last time I was back pre-pandemic, a mate decided to take me out for a ride in his car. We ended up in the Wetherspoons in Chard.

 

[stavros]

and some fairly nice countryside (if you like that sort of thing) not very far away - i tend to get to that part of the world once a year or so (or did in the days before teh plague)

This. It's a great base to go road cycling from. You've got the Levels to the East, the Blackdowns to the South and the Quantocks to the North. I had many a great ride when I lived in Taunton.

However it's a fairly forgettable town otherwise. Basically the halfway point between Bristol and Exeter.

 

[bellaozzydog]

Having resided in Norton Fitzwarren I can confirm Taunton is a really dull place for a night out

 

[SpookyFrank]

Even my mum was thinking about moving there, from a much nicer town here in far superior Devon.

Not spent much time in Taunton but it seems like a very dreary place. Handy for the M5 though I guess.

 

[Carvaged]

I was recently contemplating a move to the area given transport links and cheapness. No longer it seems!

 

[Hollis]

Robin Gould, of buying agents Prime Purchase, said: 'I've been recommending Taunton to clients for years. It has long been the place where you can get more for your money, although predictably property prices are now rising.

'If you look at a map, it looks a long way from everything and yet it's less than two hours on the train from London Paddington so it's very quick. If you don't have to commute every day, it's incredibly accessible.

'Although Taunton was bombed during the war and so much of it is modern and ugly, it has everything you could possibly want – good schools, shops, and Exmoor on the doorstep. It offers that balance between London and country, and with more people searching by lifestyle, it ticks all the boxes.'

Do you live in one of these areas with the biggest house price rises?

So the Estate Agents are blaming it on the Germans..

I don't recall hearing of this anywhere before..

 

[WouldBe]

I have lived vaguely nearby- it is not as bad as Tiverton in Devon, the worst town I have ever had to suffer living in. I like the Somerset levels as there is one Reiki practitioner to every local gun nut. Makes for an interesting queue in a Spar.

Never stopped in Taunton but quite like Tiverton as I had relatives there.

 

[Elpenor]

Never stopped in Taunton but quite like Tiverton as I had relatives there.

I’m newish to Devon but all my colleagues make knowing jokes about Tivvy. Not actually been there though.

 

[stavros]

I remember when Waitrose opened in Wellington, and it was like the social event of the year.

 

[hermitical]

I think the Coal Orchard has closed or is closing

The husband of someone I work with might be buying the Coal Orchard building.

Taunton? Not sure I understand the hype about the town itself, though it is within easy reach of some beautiful places - the Somerset Levels, the Quantocks, the Blackdowns, Exmoor, Bridgewater Bay and the coast.

We're about 6 or 7 miles away in Wellington, next junction down the motorway, lovely little town. Hopefully getting the train station back in 3 years.

 

[hermitical]

I remember when Waitrose opened in Wellington, and it was like the social event of the year.

We were told the town was almost at the point of collapse and it really revived the area - does that ring true?

 

[MBV]

Went to a very nice veggie cafe that also did good coffee in Taunton. There's worse places to live

 

[Idaho]

Taunton is a middle ranking Somerset town. There are nicer places, and much worse.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

The husband of someone I work with might be buying the Coal Orchard building.

what was it before it was a pub? i've seen it but don't think i've ventured in

 

[DaveCinzano]

edit to add, unless its frog island. i wouldnt mind a house on frog island.

Think I saw something about that online somewhere... Reddit?

 

[DaveCinzano]

Wells is amazeing!

That's what Tim used to say before the place ended up doing his head in

 

[discokermit]

Think I saw something about that online somewhere... Reddit?

dunno. dont do reddit.

Its the hill you see from the m5, Brent Knoll - Wikipedia

 

[Carvaged]

I’m newish to Devon but all my colleagues make knowing jokes about Tivvy. Not actually been there though.

How very dare they! Tiverton's a lovely little town with a cute canal to go walking along. It has some crummy elements but so do most places. One thing I feel about the South West compared to the South East is that people in general seem more open, friendly and inclusive of outsiders. Towns tend to feel like proper communities and you can easily get to know people and they seem to want to include you. I've rarely felt like that the further east I travel. Some of those real Tory hotspots are hella unfriendly.

 

[Bus Honeygun]

How very dare they! Tiverton's a lovely little town with a cute canal to go walking along. It has some crummy elements but so do most places. One thing I feel about the South West compared to the South East is that people in general seem more open, friendly and inclusive of outsiders. Towns tend to feel like proper communities and you can easily get to know people and they seem to want to include you. I've rarely felt like that the further east I travel. Some of those real Tory hotspots are hella unfriendly.

I used to go and watch Tiverton Town FC quite regularly in the early 00s and went back again for the first time in a while around four-five years ago when Torquay had a pre-season game there. The town did seem to have gone very slightly upmarket.

I think Tivvy's reputation is increasingly historical nowadays. It was quite an industrial town for a long time, then a post-industrial one, in an area that was otherwise very agricultural. That said, it does have its moments (see local news for details) and I'll be staying in Exeter thanksverymuch.

 

[Idaho]

Tiverton is ok. It's no worse than crediton, which is considered more des-res.

 

[Hollis]

what was it before it was a pub? i've seen it but don't think i've ventured in

It used to be the location of the much missed go-to DIY shop in the 70s and 80s "Spiller and Webber".

Remember the 119-year-old Taunton firm whose premises were taken over by the Coal Orchard pub?

I think up to the 80s there was also a livestock market near the station every Saturday - could go along and see the cows etc being auctioned off.

 

[cupid_stunt]

It used to be the location of the much missed go-to DIY shop in the 70s and 80s "Spiller and Webber".

Remember the 119-year-old Taunton firm whose premises were taken over by the Coal Orchard pub?

I think up to the 80s there was also a livestock market near the station every Saturday - could go along and see the cows etc being auctioned off.

I remember "Spiller and Webber", going in there was like stepping back in time, I loved it.

And, yes the livestock market was near the station, on the Firepool site, off Priory Bridge Rd.

 

[stavros]

We were told the town was almost at the point of collapse and it really revived the area - does that ring true?

No idea. I left Zummerzet not long after it opened, and I only ever went to Wellie for evening classes.

 

[Elpenor]

Tiverton is ok. It's no worse than crediton, which is considered more des-res.

Think I’d choose Tiverton given a choice if they’re equal as it’s the right side of Exeter for me. Crediton is quite nice but I’d be further away from everyone I know.

 

[Elpenor]

How very dare they! Tiverton's a lovely little town with a cute canal to go walking along. It has some crummy elements but so do most places. One thing I feel about the South West compared to the South East is that people in general seem more open, friendly and inclusive of outsiders. Towns tend to feel like proper communities and you can easily get to know people and they seem to want to include you. I've rarely felt like that the further east I travel. Some of those real Tory hotspots are hella unfriendly.

I seem to recall BillRiver (RIP ) went to Tiverton last year and thought it was a nice place. It’s probably on my radar for somewhere to buy as at heart I’m more of a town than a city person.

 

[Carvaged]

I seem to recall BillRiver (RIP ) went to Tiverton last year and thought it was a nice place. It’s probably on my radar for somewhere to buy as at heart I’m more of a town than a city person.

Crediton's also a good place check out with a strong sense of community, nice range of local/niche shops, cheap housing, reasonable transport links and a short drive to Exeter for the bigger outlets.

 

[rubbershoes]

Nor is it Bridgwater or Chard.

Bridgwater has had huge housing developments since you were around. The town now extends all the way down to junction 24 .

The population has gone up hugely and loads of money has gone into the town on the back of the new Hinkley station. The smell has gone since cellophane closed. It's still a shithole though.

People can discuss the relative merits of different towns but everyone agrees that Bridgwater is a dump.