Taunton - Park, Castle and Riverside

Before You Begin Your Folio-Finding Quest...

Easy to Navigate - The Trail is fully accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs, with flat pavements, well-kept paths and gentle gradients throughout. Whether you're pushing a buggy or just dragging your feet like a tired monk, it’s a smooth scroll from start to finish!

Bring Your Furry Footnotes - Dogs are welcome to join the search! You’ll pass through dog-friendly green spaces like Vivary Park and Goodland Gardens, perfect for a tail-wagging leg stretch. Just keep them on a lead and check local signs as you go - Brother Quilliam wasn’t a fan of muddy paw prints on his manuscripts.

Getting There - The Trail starts and ends at the Library, beside Orchard Multi-Storey car park on Paul Street, (TA1 3XZ - W3W: ///glare.plank.marble), right in the heart of Taunton. As there are so many lovely things to explore while completing your quest, we strongly advise a MINIMUM of 3 hours parking here. If arriving by alternative means, you’re just a short walk from Taunton Station and The Parade bus stop.

Need the Loo? - Public toilets are available at Castle Green at Clue 07 (daytime hours) and at Canon Street car park, which you'll pass between Clues 13 and 14. (Or if you're picking up provisions from Taunton M&S near the start / end of the Trail you could always sneak into their loos!)

Other Pit Stop Places - From hidden gems to high street favourites, the Trail passes shops, snack stops, and scenic benches for mid-quest rests. Keep your eyes peeled - you never know where a clue might be lurking!

Heads Up! - Vivary Park gates close at dusk, so if you’re starting later in the day, aim to reach the final leafy chapters of your adventure before the sun sets. You don’t want to be locked out before you’ve cracked the final clues!

Want to Make a Day of It?

Uncover More Tauntony Tales - After solving the mystery, why not head inside the Museum of Somerset (free entry, though suggested donation of £5 per person) at Taunton Castle? It’s packed with fascinating artefacts, curious stories, and possibly even a spare scroll or two.

Picnic Like a Pro - Vivary Park is perfect for a post-Trail picnic or a celebratory ice cream. With its ornamental gardens, bandstand, and mini golf course, it’s a top spot for recharging your clue-cracking batteries.

Wander the Waterways - Take a relaxing stroll along the River Tone, just minutes from the Trail route. There are ducks to spot, benches to perch on, and a scenic calm that even Brother Quilliam would approve of.

Refuel and Reflect - The town centre offers plenty of cosy cafés and independent eateries. Whether you’re after a celebratory slice of cake or a medieval-style feast (okay, maybe just a panini), you’ll find something for every adventurer’s appetite.

Take the Trail Further - Still got energy to burn? Hop on a bus or train to nearby sites like Hestercombe Gardens or the West Somerset Railway for a full day of exploring Somerset’s finest secrets.