Bridgwater

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Bridgwater began as a Saxon village and later William the Conqueror gave the village to one of his followers, Walter of Douai. It then became known as the Bridge of Walter and then Bridgwater.

Over the centuries, Bridgwater has been involved in trade, as the river Parrett was a port for Bristol and has manufactured cloth, bricks, ships and later preserves, electrical equipment, tiles, beer and cellophane. The Bridgwater and Taunton Canal runs through the flat areas of Somerset and there are pleasant walks along the towpath.

Bridgwater is a small town, which has retained its quay and has a population of 36,000. It has some attractive squares and a choice of restaurants, cafes, pubs and take-aways. The community is lively as there are quiz nights, live bands play and there are regular farmers markets.

In the centre of the town, is the Blake Museum contains information about Bridgwater’s distinguished native naval commander Robert Blake. Bridgwater has a popular annual Autumn fair and Guy Fawkes carnival, which includes a squib display, where over 100 squibs are let off simultaneously in Bridgwater high street on specially built coshes. The event attracts people from all over the country. The annual Fair is held in the last week of September, with rides and side-shows in St Matthew's Park.

The town contains the Bridgwater and Albion Rugby and Football clubs as well as clubs for hockey, tennis and cycling.

In terms of places to visit outside Bridgwater, there is Coleridge Cottage, a National Trust property where the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge who wrote the poem The Ancient Mariner lived. There is also the opportunity to camel trek with the Bridgwater Camel Company. Eleven miles away is the ancient romantic Dunster Castle with fine turrets, towers and subtropical gardens.

The Bridgwater Bay National Nature Reserve also comprises 2,564ha to the south side of the Severn Estuary. The reserve is part of a larger Site of Special Scientific Interest consisting largely of tidal mudflats and saltmarshes, sandflats and shingle ridges.There are also walks along the Parrett Trail, following the river from mouth to source.

With its beautiful and varied coastline, Somerset is host to some amazing areas of countryside, including three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (the Quantock, Mendip and Blackdown Hills) and Exmoor National Park.

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