All Saints’ Church
Originally constructed in the fifteenth century, and extensively restored in the nineteenth, this Grade-II listed building has a peal of six bells dating from 1760. For more information please visit – www.castlecaryallsaints.org.uk
The Castle
Once one of the largest castles in twelfth-century England; sadly the stones have long since been removed, but behind the town, on the lower slopes of Lodge Hill, you can still see the remains of the motte and bailey and other earthworks.
Round House
One of the best-preserved examples of an old town lock-up in the country, built (or more probably re-built) in 1779. Located in Bailey Hill, behind the Market House; nearby you can also see the fine Eighteenth century house that’s now the Post Office.
Keys for the Round House are kept at the Information Point in The Market House, open weekday mornings.
Castle Cary & District Museum
Located in the historic nineteenth-century Market House in the centre of town, the museum has an extensive collection of agricultural and domestic artefacts, and displays of geological, archaeological and historical information. Open between April and October, Monday to Friday 10.30-12.30 and 2.00-4.00, Saturday 10.30-12.30; admission free (but donations always welcome). www.castlecarymuseum.org.uk
Castle Cary Cemetery Chapel
The Cemetery Chapel is one of Castle Cary’s hidden gems. It’s on the outskirts of town at the end of South Street where the pavement ends.
Built in 1897, Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee year, with wonderful views towards Glastonbury Tor, it is a haven of peace with benches to sit on and contemplate.
The chapel is now non-denominational, in excellent condition, simply (and flexibly) furnished with 4 bright and colourful tapestries representing the four seasons of the year hanging where the altar cloth used to hang. There are tea/coffee making facilities inside. There is car parking but you can walk from the centre of town. Power is generated by a wind turbine and solar panels.
The chapel is used for funeral and committal ceremonies, and is also available for hire for small meetings and gatherings, concerts, book groups etc. It has a comfortable compost loo a short walk from the chapel, with disabled facilities.
The Friends of The Cemetery Chapel’s objectives are to promote the chapel, encourage local visitors, ensure the building is kept in good order and always welcoming, and is opened up to visitors at weekends and public holidays. The friends have a particular responsibility for the compost loo having raised the money for its building, and work in partnership with The Town Council who own the cemetery and the chapel.
Cemetery and compost loo – Open to visitors 24/7
Cemetery Chapel – Open to visitors Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays, 10am – 4pm
To book or enquire about the Cemetery Chapel – Call 01963 351763
If you are interested in becoming a Friend of the Cemetery Chapel – Call Charles Simon on 01963 350276 or 0789 0549135.
Just 2 miles from Castle Cary, The Newt in Somerset is a country estate with magnificent woodland and gardens.
The UK’s largest collection of cars and bikes, from classics of the 1950s and 1960s to modern supercars. Outdoor exhibition of military vehicles, themed adventure playground for children, kids’ racing track and museum motoring shop. Website.
A spectacular Iron Age hill fort, long associated with King Arthur’s Camelot (more information). Even if you don’t believe that, it’s well worth a visit to see the dramatic earthworks and to enjoy the view across South Somerset. There’s a car park in South Cadbury, from which you can walk up.
Fifteenth-century house with medieval wall paintings, just a mile or so outside Cary. See their website for more information, including visiting arrangements.
Hauser & Wirth Somerset is a pioneering world-class gallery and multi-purpose arts centre, which acts as a destination for experiencing art, architecture and the remarkable Somerset landscape through new and innovative exhibitions of contemporary art. A landscaped garden, designed for the gallery by internationally renowned landscape architect Piet Oudolf, includes a 1.5 acre perennial meadow, which sits behind the gallery buildings.
Centred around a core belief in conservation, education and sustainability, Hauser & Wirth Somerset offers a wide variety of special events including talks, seminars, workshops and screenings, as well as an extensive learning programme for local schools, young people and families. The centre also provides resources including a bookshop and dedicated learning room.
Hauser & Wirth Somerset supports an immersive artist-in-residence programme, encouraging artists to benefit from the idyllic surroundings and to integrate with the local community.
On-site restaurant, the Roth Bar & Grill, serves seasonal, locally sourced produce, and includes a site-specific bar created by Björn and Oddur Roth, the son and grandson of artist Dieter Roth.
Hauser & Wirth Somerset has been awarded a RIBA South West Award 2015, a Civic Trust 2015 Award, and in 2014 it was the winner of the William Stansell Historic Buildings Award, for Durslade Farmhouse.
The centre is open with free admission to the public, six days per week, throughout the year.
For more information, please visit their website: www.hauserwirthsomerset.com
This new website offers a guide to historic sites, quirky museums and ancient monuments throughout Somerset. You can either follow the ‘tube map’, which breaks the county into seven different ‘lines’, or you can search by historic period or collection type. The webpage gives information about each historic site, including forthcoming events and downloadable guides. www.somersetroutes.co.uk
Various walks in and around Bruton available from the Bruton Walking Website.
Most famous for its spectacular eighteenth-century landscape gardens, with lake, Greek temples, grottos and historic trees, but the house is also well worth a visit. Website
Race meetings between October and May, and other events. Website.
A medieval manor house with a famous Arts & Crafts garden. Website.
Regular events and exhibitions throughout the year, including the Royal Bath & West Show and the National Gardening Show. Website.
Europe’s largest collection of naval aviation, with regular events as well as the standard exhibits. Website. Nearby RNAS Yeovilton is home of the famous Yeovilton Air Day, held every year in July.
Famous for the ruins of the Abbey, once the richest and most powerful monastry in England, for the dramatic landmark of Glastonbury Tor, and for its wide selection of ‘alternative’ shops… Nearby, for those less interested in mysticism and more interested in bargains, is Clarks Village outlet shopping centre.
The smallest city in England, with its spectacular cathedral, the historic Bishops Palace, an excellent street market on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and of course many sites familiar from the film Hot Fuzz, which was filmed here…
At Langport, you can hire bikes and follow different routes through the historic villages and fascinating landscape of the Somerset Levels. Website.
