For breaks and days out via e-newsletter.
(see example)
Home > Things to See & Do > Heritage Touring Map > Kings' Line
Kings' Line
Montacute - Ilchester - Wincanton - Bruton - Castle Cary
Travel the line named after the area's royal connections with King Alfred and the mythical King Arthur. The Kings' Line leads you from historic Montacute at the foot of Ham Hill to the very borders of Somerset and Dorset.
Download your copy of the Kings' Line Intinerary
Watch the Kings' Line short film
Discover 40 miles of hidden delights with everything from secret gardens and prehistoric settlements to super-cars and fighter planes.
Download the full Heritage Touring Map
Alfred's Tower
Explore one of the finest and most eccentric follies in England.
It was created nearly 200 years ago to commemorate the life and deeds of King Alfred the Great.
Ballands Castle
Travel to the borders of Somerset and explore the ancient woodlands that hide strange mounds. These may be the remains of a medieval motte-and-bailey castle and quarrying. Private land, keep to the footpath.
Bruton Dovecote
Follow the trails up to this curious stone building and local landmark. Over 500 years old, this dovecote has over 200 pigeonholes.
Dovecotes were built in medieval times to house pigeons or doves, which were an important food source.
Bruton Museum
Celebrate centuries of life and work in Bruton. Here you can find everything from massive ammonites found in the gardens of the town to contemporary art.
Don't miss the unique sculptures of Ernst Blensdorf, who used Somerset elm from local woodlands to create his swirling patterns.
Castle Cary & District Museum
Discover what life was like in the town in the late 1700s through the writings of local diarist James Woodforde. Browse the extensive collections of objects, costumes and fossils.
Discover more about this odd looking contraption, invented in 1873 to pick horse hairs for weaving.
Fleet Air Arm Museum
See 100 years of flying in the Royal Navy in Europe's largest naval aviation museum. Visit the unique carrier experience and Concorde 002.
Don't miss the first British-built supersonic
passenger airline, Concorde.
Haynes International Motor Museum
No matter what your age you'll find the car you've always dreamed of! This is reputedly the UK's largest exhibition of the greatest cars from around the world.
Don't miss the 1973 Jaguar V12 E-type. This
British sports car is one of only 6 vehicles to be placed in New York's Museum of Modern Art.
Ilchester Museum
Uncover stories of police brutality and criminal depravity at Ilchester gaol. It was the county gaol until replaced by Taunton gaol in the 1840s.
Don't miss the shackles and handcuffs from the condemned cell at Ilchester gaol: a tangible and chilling reminder of the notorious prison.
Lytes Cary Manor
Roam the planned gardens of this 700-year-old manor house that was once home to the Elizabethan herbalist Henry Lyte.
Discover the medicinal uses of plants and herbs and view the borders of the garden based on Lyte's plant directory.
Montacute House
Experience Elizabethan life in grand style and discover the magnificent collection of furniture, tapestries and Tudor portraits.
Visit the library where etched into the glass is this poem in Latin entitled 'Happy is the man', which celebrates the divinity of the small things in life.
Montacute TV, Radio and Toy Museum
A nostalgic trip to bring back memories of your favourite TV and radio programmes. Includes a vast collection of toys, books, games, vintage and novelty radios and televisions.
Come face-to-face with a life-sized Dalek, an iconic villain from the longest running science fiction show in the world, 'Dr Who'.
South Cadbury Hill Fort
Climb to the top of this hill fort to see history stretching back over 5000 years. Walk the Iron Age ramparts and enjoy spectacular views over the Somerset countryside.
Local tradition dating back to the 1500s states that Cadbury Castle was King Arthur's Camelot.
Tintinhull House and Gardens
Explore secluded lawns, small pools and colourful borders at the modern garden surrounding this 400-year-old manor house.
The Pool Garden was built in 1933 as a memorial to the owner's nephew, who was shot down over Malta during World War I.
Wincanton Museum
Wander through the compact rooms of the unspoilt terraced cottage that housed the Day family of 11 over 100 years ago. Discover Wincanton's history.
Visit soon, the museum will be closing down in September 2009 permenantly!
