Castle Cary Town Council tries to ensure all details on this page are correct and up to date, but cannot take responsibility for accuracy.
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Castle Cary
one of the most attractive
of Somerset's market townsTucked away in a secluded spot a few miles off the A303, the golden stone of Castle Cary and Ansford exudes a warm glow complemented by its glorious setting in the South Somerset countryside and its friendly inhabitants.
Castle Cary and Ansford is known by its two parishes. But folk who know the town simply call it "Cary". The 12th Century castle of the name no longer exists, although you can still see some of its stone in the buildings of the town centre. And the town is the source of the River Cary which rises from Park Pond, part of the original castle moat.
The 19th Century Market House dominates the centre of the town, across the HIgh Street from the thatched George Hotel - one of Cary's oldest buildings. Fore Street, stretching down to the Horse Pond, is full of individual, high quality shops, delicatessens, cafes and restaurants. Tuesday is Market Day, when fish and organic vegetables are sold in the front of the Market House, with a Farmers Market every third Tuesday in the month.
Behind the Market House stands Cary's historic Roundhouse lock-up. Constructed in 1779, it is one of only four such buildings remaining in the country today. The celebrated diarist Parson James Woodforde (1740 - 1803) lived in Ansford; more recently Douglas Macmillan, founder of Macmillan Cancer Support, lived in Cary.
If you're walking, rambling or simply looking for a quiet time in the countryside, Cary can provide it. The Monarch's Way, the Macmillan Way and Leland Trail all pass near the town, as does the route to Glastonbury for many festival-goers."The website featuring Castle Cary and Ansford was very informative with its insiders guide."
" ... I thought Castle Cary was a delightful town to visit ....."
"We were offered keys to the round 'lock up' (held by the Pie Butcher) and allowed to look for ourselves, which was most interesting and
appreciated".
"Although I have been to Castle Cary before, I found it so much more interesting this time – like visiting for the first time."
"I enjoyed Castle Cary very much. It is nice to see a variety of small businesses still open."No matter when you visit, you'll find something special: Cary is a town for all seasons. Not to be missed is the renowed illuminated carnival which takes place in October. If you want to get away for the weekend, there is plenty of great hotel or Bed and Breakfast accommodation too and many award-winning attractions around the Cary area - both indoors, and out-and-about.
This part of the website is in the process of becoming a general catchall for all the information about Castle Cary and the surrounding area of particular interest to visitors both new to the area and old hands. We're constantly thinking of ways to improve the information on this website, so please keep checking back for additions.
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Welcome to the News page. From the tab above you can access the latest quarterly Newsletter and information on issues of major local interest.
If you have anything to contribute, not covered in either of the above, please contact the Webmaster.
Castle Cary Town Council tries to ensure all details on this page are correct and up to date, but cannot finally take responsibiity for accuracy.
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Tourism
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Castle Cary
one of the most attractive
of Somerset's market towns
Tucked away in a secluded spot a few miles off the A303, the golden stone of Castle Cary and Ansford exudes a warm glow complemented by its glorious setting in the South Somerset countryside and its friendly inhabitants.
Castle Cary and Ansford is known by its two parishes. But folk who know the town simply call it "Cary". The 12th Century castle of the name no longer exists, although you can still see some of its stone in the buildings of the town centre. And the town is the sorce of the River Cary which rises from Park Pond, part of the original castle moat.
The 19th Century Market House dominates the centre of the town, across the HIgh Street from the thatched George Hotel - one of Cary's oldest buildings. Fore Street, stretching down to the Horse Pond, is full of individual, high quality shops, delicatessens, cafes and restaurants. Tuesday is Market Day, when fish and organic vegetables are sold in the front of the Market House, with a Farmers Market every third Tuesday in the month.
Behind the Market House stands Cary's historic Roundhouse lock-up. Constructed in 1779, it is one of only four such buildings remaining in the country today. The celebrated diarist Parson James Woodforde (1740 - 1803) lived in Ansford; more recently Douglas Macmillan, founder of Macmillan Cancer Support, lived in Cary.
If you're walking, rambling or simply looking for a quiet time in the countryside, Cary can provide it. The Monarch's Way, the Macmillan Way and Leland Trail all pass near the town, as does the route to Glastonbury for many festival-goers.
No matter when you visit, you'll find something special: Cary is a town for all seasons. Not to be missed is the renowed illuminated carnival which takes place in October. If you want to get away for the weekend, there is plenty of great hotel or Bed and Breakfast accommodation too and many award-winning attractions around the Cary area - both indoors, and out-and-about.
USEFUL CONTACTS....
Local Churches
All Saints www.castlecaryallsaints.org.uk
St Andrews www.ansford.church.co.uk
Methodist Church www.somersetmethodist.org
National Trust Houses and Gardens
Lytes Cary (TA11 7HU - Tel: 01458 224 471)
Montacute (TA15 6XP - Tel: 01935 823 289)
Stourhead (BA12 6QD - Tel: 01747 841 152)
Tintinhull (BA22 8PZ - Tel: 01935 823 289)
more info at www.national trust.org.uk
Heritage Sites
Glastonbury Abbey www.glastonburyabbey.com
Glastonbury Tor www.glastonburytor.org.uk
Muchelney Abbey www.english-heritage.org.uk/muchelney
Wells Cathedral www.wellscathedral.org.uk
Other Attractions
Clarks Village www.clarksvillage.co.uk
East Somerset Railway www.eastsomersetrailway.com
Fleet Air Arm Museum www.fleetairarm.com
Gants Mill www.gantsmill.co.uk
Haynes Motor Museum www.haynesmotormuseum.co.uk
Walks
The Macmillan Way www.macmillanway.org
The Monarchs Way www.monarchsway.50megs.com
The Leland Trail www.walkingpages.co.uk/trails_paths
Cycle rides
South Somerset www.southsomerset.com
Other
More attractions Council (8)- Events (7)
A TOWN FOR ALL SEASONS
Any time of the year, you'll find picturesque walks, charming architecture and shop windows to delight you. In spring and summer, hanging baskets decorate the town. In autumn and winter the town centre and its shop windows - especially at Christmas - will transport you to another age.
Cary has a thriving community and throughout the year there are many events well worth visiting. Though you can check on our calendar pages for more details, here is a taste.....FEBRUARY
MARCH
Carymoor Environmental Centre Open Morning:
the Wonderful World of Willows - 10am – 2pm
EASTER
Walk of Witness: crosses on Lodge Hill (Good Friday)MAYAnnual Parish Meeting (Methodist Schoolroom at 7pm)
JUNEFete and Arts Festival at All Saints (Bank Holiday Monday)
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
Children's Carnival (afternoon)
Illuminated Carnival (evening)
Fun Fair (Weds-Sat of Carnival week)
French Market
NOVEMBER
Candle Lighting of the Living Cross (Armistice Day eve)
DECEMBER
Victorian Evening
Nativity Enactment (last Saturday before Christmas)For more details see the current and following months' pages by clicking the tabs above.......- Local Services (1)
This page is under construction, but will have a variety of useful information about local services, the vital stuff such as what day your kerbside collections are, how to contact the police etc etc. If you have any suggestions for things to add, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .- Local Organisations (7)
- Uncategorised (1)
- Events (7)
