Taunton is the county town of Somerset, with over 1,000 years of religious and military history, its name comes from "Town on the River Tone", which is the river that flows through the town. Taunton has a number of fine historic buildings, including Taunton Castle, which now incorporates the Somerset County Museum and the Castle Hotel, Gray's Almhouses, St James Church, Priory Barn (Somerset County Cricket Museum), Bath Place and the Tudor Tavern (now Café Nero). As one of the Government's "Strategically important towns or cities", Taunton has received funding for a number of large-scale regeneration projects, which have further established the town as a major business destination in the South West.

Taunton has excellent shopping and leisure facilities, with a number of indoor shopping complexes, high street multiples and quality independent shops, as well as restaurants and cafes. As a sporting centre, Taunton has much to offer, with horse racing at Taunton Racecourse, just two miles from the town centre, and cricket at the County Ground, which is home to Somerset County Cricket Club. In addition, there are excellent tennis and general sports facilities available at Tone Leisure Centre.