CASTLE CARY is a pretty, honey coloured market town, with a very good range of quality independent retailers. It's about a mile from station to town, but there are usually Taxis at the station (or numbers to ring, if not). If you feel fit, the path to town starts at the kissing gate on the far side of the footbridge. Visit South Somerset's website on www.visitsouthsomerset.com or call 01935 462462

Castle Cary is built of 'Ham' stone from nearby quarries, which gives the town's buildings their lovely golden colour. Cloth has been produced commercially in Castle Cary since at least the fourteenth century and the work continues today with John Boyd Textiles, the only horse hair weaving factory in the UK.

The Market House dominates the centre of town, housing the Museum, two old prison cells and the Information Centre. The town has a good range of specialist shops, high quality grocers, a thriving art gallery, delicatessens, cafes and restaurants.