Ilminster, Somerset
What a lovely little town Ilminster is, and so easy to get to, being within easy reach of the M5, A358 and A303. If you’re passing through on your travels, it’s worth stopping off, if you’re staying nearby on your large group holidays in Somerset, go for a wander round.
What you’ll find is quite an eclectic mix of shops. There are very few big names, but you can generally get what you want here; fill your basket at the award-winning Bonners Butchers, have a look in the Emporium, full of delights from local artisan makers, go and see the latest exhibition at the Arts Centre and stop for lunch in the café. There are antiques shops to browse, the kooky Hambridge Artist for cool homewares, and halfway up the hill is No 57 where you can ‘sit and chat amongst the tat’ – three floors of retro, vintage and antiques and a café that does the most amazing cake and savouries. Every Thursday stallholders set up in and around the colonnaded Hamstone Market House, selling all kinds of things from fresh fish and olives to local honey and freshly baked bread.
Ilminster grew up around the Minster Church in the middle of town. Dating back to1450, this is a seriously impressive building, almost on the scale of a small cathedral, surrounded by flagstone paths lined with historic buildings, including a grammar school founded in 1549, and some very pretty thatched cottages. It’s one of the loveliest parts of Ilminster but wander around and you’ll notice more charm and quaintness – and some wonderful street names – Strawberry Bank, Love Lane, Brewery Lane and Frog Lane.
All information correct at the time of writing