Taunton priority landscape

A tree overhanging the River Tone in French Weir Park in Taunton

The River Tone - Ian Brown

Priority landscape

Taunton

Lots to see
Garden town since 2017
On the river tone

About Taunton priority landscape

Taunton is the county-town which lies in a natural valley between the Quantock, Blackdown and Brendon Hills, with the River Tone flowing right through the heart of the town.  With the town there is a vibrant network of green spaces, large and small, rivers, streams and the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal, enabling the town to retain a diverse array of wildlife including kingfisher, barn owls, dormice, water voles, otters and bats.

Taunton is one of the most rapidly growing towns in the South West, with up to 13,000 new homes being planned by 2028 as well as extensive urban regeneration plans. It was designated a Garden Town in 2017 and if fully and properly applied, the Garden City principles can lead to sustainable, healthy and attractive places to live, where communities and wildlife can thrive together. The challenge is ensuring these principles are met to achieve the potential benefits.

Nature is closer than you think. There are a huge variety of species that have learned to live alongside us in the hidden corners of our urban habitats. It's important that we continue to share these spaces with wildlife and prevent them from disappearing.
Jolyon Chesworth, Head of Engagement

Explore Taunton projects

a new way to build poster

The Wildlife Trust

Taunton Living Landscape

Taunton Garden Town

In January 2017, Taunton was one of three towns in England to be awarded Garden Town status by the Department for Communities and Local Government. We are actively working with Somerset West and Taunton Council and other local communities and organisations to help realise the benefits that high quality urban planning and green infrastructure can bring for the people and wildlife of Taunton.

baby reaching out for cotton grass

Child reaching for cotton grass , Westhay SWT reserve, Somerset Levels - Guy Edwardes/2020VISION

Taunton Living Landscape

Green Spaces Healthy Places

‘Green Spaces, Healthy Places’ works to connect people in Taunton to the green spaces on their doorstep for the benefit of their health and wellbeing. Working with partners within the health and social care sector we provide opportunities for active participation in maintaining and improving some of our green spaces, making them better for wildlife and at the same time benefiting those involved and those that use these areas.

spider in garden

Female European garden spider - Nick Upton/2020VISION

Taunton Living Landscape

Lisieux Way Community Garden

Gardening is a great way to get outside, boost your health and wellbeing, meet new people and provide homes for wildlife. We run a wonderful community garden project just off Lisieux Way where we hold regular volunteer sessions. Tasks including things like fruit and vegetable growing, compost turning and propagation. We also run courses at the garden on skills such as composting and hedgelaying.

Find out more
Women rakes up cuttings as part of a volunteering session

Woman rakes up cuttings - Matthew Roberts

Taunton Living Landscape

Taunton Urban Environment Training Hub

You don’t have to live in the countryside to learn how to look after your local natural environment. With partners we organise courses where people can learn how to best look after these places, from scything and hedgelaying to composting and building structures from willow. In addition to courses you can also learn on the job by going along to local volunteering sessions with the active network of ‘Friends of’ groups. Check back for more information. 

Bumblebee on dandelion

Bumblebee on dandelion; Luggiebank Wood; Cumbernauld; sunny; afternoon; 03.05.2011 - Photo: Katrina Martin / 2020VISION

Taunton Living Landscape

Taunton Pollinator project

Somerset Wildlife Trust is  working in partnership with Somerset West and Taunton Council to identify and create a number of species-rich wildflower meadows across the county. The initiative is part of the Council’s commitment to protecting and improving biodiversity, identified as a priority in the emerging climate change strategy. The pilot areas are amenity spaces that are traditionally cut every few weeks during the summer months. In establishing ‘wilder’ areas on council-owned land and within its parks, the meadow project hopes to help boost biodiversity across the county, supporting pollinator species in particular.

 

French Weir

French Weir - Diane Jones

Taunton Living Landscape

Routes to the River Tone

Routes to the River Tone was a three year project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, that aimed to celebrate and reconnect local communities to Taunton’s amazing green spaces, wild places and the stunning wildlife that lives along the River Tone. You can find more information below.

Evaluation report Watch our video

Explore reserves near Taunton:

Why not explore some our reserves that surround Taunton?

Events happening in and around Taunton

Get involved in events right on your doorstep in the middle of town.

Viridor logo for web

 

Our Taunton priority landscape is kindly supported by Viridor Waste Management

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