Bridgwater Somerset 
A quiet quay on the River Parrett serves as a reminder that this town was a busy port until it became overshadowed by the port of Bristol. Modern shops now line the quay, and it is no longer used by any ships. 

On the waterfront the Water Gate is all that remains of a 13th-century castle, destroyed along with much of the town by Cromwell’s army during the Civil War . Ironically, Bridgwater gave Cromwell his great admiral, Robert Blake. Blakes reputed birthplace is now a museum. 

The century church of St Mary also survived the Civil War, and from its tower the rebel Duke of Monmouth surveyed Sedgemoor in 1685 . The church has a 175 ft spire and a fine Jacobean wooden screen. 
Castle Street has some good Georgian architecture, and The Lions on West Quay is an outstanding house of that period. 
The four-day St Matthew’s Fair in September and the Guy Fawkes Carnival are big events in Bridgwater. 

 

Local towns and villages to visit..

Cheddar

Doniford

Dunster

Ilfracombe

Glastonbury

Minehead

Street

Taunton

Watchet

Wellington

Western-Super-Mare

Yeovil

 

Angling

 

Coarse and trout fishing on the river Tone at Taunton, Wellington and Wiveliscombe ( on the A361 about 9 miles west of Taunton). Other good  waters include the Taunton-Bridgewater Canal, the West Sedgemoor Drain and Clatworthy Reservoir.

 

Attractions

MAP

Local Accommodation..