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Craft & Traditions

Cider Farm and Willow & Wetlands (Total miles: approx 30 Time: 3-5 hours)

Leave Taunton via the A38 towards Wellington. After following the A38 for approx 4 miles turn left into Sheppy's Cider Farm.

Sheppy's Cider
Ample free coach parking. Here Traditional Somerset Cider has been made by the Sheppy family for generations. Visit the cellar and the modern Press Room where the apple crop is processed each Autumn. See the museum and the cidermaking video. Walk around the orchards, sample the Cider before you buy to find the perfect tipple for you. Enjoy food and drink in the licensed Tea Room. Book a guided tour. For further details see the entry in the Attractions section. Length of stay from half an hour to 2 hours.

Continue on the A38 towards Wellington for one mile. Join the M5 and head south back towards Taunton to J25 approx 6 miles. On leaving the motorway take the A358 towards Ilminster for approx 2 miles. At traffic lights turn left on A378 and after a very short distance turn left signed to North Curry. Continue on this road for approx 5 miles passing through the village of North Curry and on towards Stoke St Gregory. See Willow Centre on the left.

Willows & Wetlands Visitor Centre
Parties by appointment. Situated on the Somerset Levels and Moors where the soil and the climate is ideal for Willow growing. The Coate family have run a thriving Willow-growing and basket-making industry here for over a century. See the exhibition and visit the museum for a trip down memory lane. Watch the craftsmen at work. Book a guided tour. Length of stay from half an hour to one and half hours.

Head back to North Curry and turn right in the village towards Lyng. Follow the road across the moor and over the river Tone. Approx 4 miles after leaving the Willow Centre turn left on the A361 continue approx 3 miles and meet the A38. Follow the A38 for approx 4 miles to Taunton. Meal stops on route. The Blackbrook Tavern on A358 a few yards from the motorway roundabout. The Maypole Inn on the home journey turn right on the A38 as you leave the A361 drive approx quarter mile and the Inn is on the left Please pre book any meal stops.

Other Crafts & Traditions ideas:- Muchelney Pottery (near Langport), Somerset Rural Life Museum (Glastonbury), Perry's Cider (near Ilminster), Black Swan Guild (Frome), Somerset Guild of Craftsmen (Dunster and Martock).

For opening times and admission prices please see under entry in attraction section.
General Advice & Information: contact the Somerset Visitor Centre Tel: 01934 750833