Taunton
Located in Somerset, in the midst of ‘cider country’, Taunton has borne witness to the brewing of alcoholic beverages since the Roman era. In mediaeval Europe brewing was most often a monastic undertaking, and as a result the area contains many fine churches. The actual production of cider can now be observed at Sheppy’s Cider Farm in the town. For those less interested in inebriating substances, Taunton provides such delights as the Peat Moors Centre which educates patrons about wetland geography, geology and history, the Brewhouse Theatre and Arts Centre, and the Alfred Monument, which commemorates the Saxon king and his local fortress, built to fend off Viking invaders