Castle Cary, Somerset

 This evening, I am reporting on a visit earlier today by wife and myself to the fascinating town of Castle Cary in south Somerset, England. Location is 5 miles NW of Wincanton and 8 miles south of Shepton Mallet, at the foot of Lodge Hill  and on the River Cary, a tributary of the Parrett.

More information on local directions.

This town should not be confused with Castlecary, a small historic village in North Lanarkshire, Scotland. In due course I will have to research the origins of both names to ascertain any similarity in origin.

Castle Cary impressed as a clean and prosperous town with a wide variety of shops with multiple examples of architecture which help to tell the story of the town's development over the last 1000 years.

Castle Cary's name owes it's origin to (a) a local Norman castle which no longer exists and (b) the River Cary.

Walking through this town (in very favourable weather conditions) brought back memories of Chipping Campden, a similar prosperous town in the English Cotswolds, about 100 miles to the NE.

The portfolio of images below speak for themselves.

Former 18th century prison. I think San Quentin would have offered better facilities for inmates than this!
 

Fruit stall at local market


 Archway designed for horse and carriage access.

This colourfully preented property was formerly a restaurant.

View of Fore Street.


Very unusual (in Britain) large semi-tropical plant.

Support for Ukrainians 


  Interesting bay windows

Window cleaner in action

Market in process at Market House

        Maremmano-Abruzzese Sheepdog from Italy.

Interesting image


 


 One for my American readers.The name originates from the Norman-English name De La Warr.

We encountered this pair of doves elsewhere in the town.

 

This shop has an identity problem. For benefit of readers outside UK the term 'ironmonger' means hardware store.

Market stall selling local cider for which the county of Somerset is renowned. On the return trip to our lodgings we encountered a large planatation of apple trees.

Here is the apple orchard with it's crop neatly laid out. I will have to ascertain if the crop is picked manually or by machine.

Overall, a great day out.



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