The best local parks in Taunton and Wellington.
If you are looking for a special day out with friends or family, then why not visit one of our local parks recommended by our clients and care professionals.
French Weir Park
French Weir Park is a small community park beside the River Tone that spans 2.4 hectares. It has a local neighbourhood feel as it is nestled between residential areas, shops, schools and colleges.
The park is open all day throughout the year. A big children’s play area keeps the little ones occupied, for the less active amongst us there is a coffee shop to satisfy refreshment needs.
French Weir Park is buzzing with community work thanks to local council grants. Events that have been held during the past few years include bulb and tree planting, family fun days and Easter egg hunts. You can find details of upcoming events on the ‘Friends of French Weir Park’ Facebook page here.
You will find French Weir Park next to Longrun Meadow and very close to the Tesco Superstore.
Wellington Park
Wellington Park is a grade II listed formal Edwardian park that was sensitively restored in 2000, thanks to Heritage Lottery Funding.
Many of the original design features have been kept, with the war memorial and toilet block being more recent additions. Wandering around the park you will discover a bandstand, ornamental pond, floral bedding displays and beautifully manicured grassy areas – perfect for picnic-ing or playing boules. The lively events programme that takes place during the summer months is very popular – attracting locals and visitors too.
Younger members of the family will be kept occupied by the children’s play areas, skateboard ramp and recreation ground. Wellington Park is the ideal multi-generational day out.
Close to the school, you can find it here.
Vivary Park
Vivary Park
The Park is close to Taunton town centre and covers 7.5 hectares of parkland. The name ‘Vivary’ hails from the medieval use of the site as the fish farm or vivarium for the priory and castle.
The former lakes are no longer, and instead you will find a range of facilities expected from a modern park. These include tennis courts, a cafe, mini golf, and public loos with disabled access. Lots of volunteers are involved in maintaining Vivary park and support with special events such as Taunton Flower Show which was first held on the site in 1851.
Our clients and care professionals love spending time at Vivary Park because it is so conveniently located, and offers a breadth of activities for all ages. It closes at dusk every day.
There are two small car parks at either end of Vivary. Ash Meadows or Fons George Car Park. The latter being the bigger of the two.
The Basins Wellington
The Basins is a local nature conservation area between Wellington and the neighbouring community of Rockwell Green. A natural gem, it is comprised of two small ponds separated by a walkway and set in several acres of open countryside intersected by streams.
The ponds were built in the early 19th century to provide a controllable water supply to power water wheels at the former Fox Brothers woollen mill. Now they are a popular local fishing destination. The ponds can be circumnavigated on foot and there is a footpath all the way to Rockwell Green.
The Basins is accessible for wheelchairs, buggies and people with impaired mobility. Paths around the ponds enable them to be circumnavigated, and the footpath continues to Rockwell Green. Limited car parking is available on site here, but there is a large car park at the nearby Wellington Sports Centre. The Basins is ideal for dog walkers, picnickers, and nature lovers.
Creech St Michael’s Park
In this secluded park that leads straight onto the Taunton-Bridgwater canal towpath, you will discover plenty of activity. Apart from walkers enjoying the flora and fauna, you will find cyclists, canoeists, children and families and friends enjoying a picnic.
Creech St. Michael Recreation Field has a football pitch for adults, a play field for children, and a model railway for train enthusiasts. The play area caters for a wide spectrum of ages and includes a multi-use games area. All the equipment is accessible for people with disabilities. The chairs and tables provide a good lunch spot as well as being a vantage point for keeping watch on younger generations. It is hoped that the current pavilion with be revamped in the not too distant future.
There is a car park for visitors. Find it on the outskirts of Creech St Michael, approximately 4 miles from Taunton.
