Wincanton is situated on the main A303 London to Penzance Road. Lying in the extreme southeast of Somerset and on the Dorset / Wiltshire borders. Wincanton is in easy reach of many places of interest which makes it the perfect location for exploring whether you are on foot, bicycle, or horseback.
Market town with a long history
Thought to be the site of a market since medieval times it was not until 17th March 1556 when Queen Mary granted a charter for two annual fairs and a market every other Wednesday that Wincanton turned into a thriving and attractive market town
The making of woolen cloth was Wincanton’s main industry, in addition to silk and linen, and Mill Street, possibly the oldest and prettiest street in the town, leads from the Market Place down to where the old mill once stood.
Wincanton’s other thriving businesses were pottery, brick making, and clocks as there were several clockmakers in the town.
Gory Battles
Wincanton was the scene of several bloody battles between the Britons, Danes, and Saxons. One battle between the army of King James II and invading forces of Prince William of Orange took place on November 1688. Six men were hanged, drawn, and quartered after.
On 13th May 1707, a fire destroyed most of the older buildings in the High Street and the town centre.
Coach and Rail Travel
Wincanton was on the stagecoach route from London to Exeter and many coaches called at the town. This led to a post office opening, and coaching inns being established. By the 1790s post was dispatched to London six days a week. Coach service to London and Taunton ran three times a week, while several wagons went regularly to Bath, London, Sherborne Taunton, and Weymouth.
The Dorset Central Railway line reached Wincanton in 1861
Ankh Morpork
Wincanton was twinned with the French town Gennes and Les Rosiers on 19th July 1975 and with the German town Lahnau on 16th October 1991.
On 7th December 2002, Wincanton was twinned with a place that does not exist – Ankh Morpork. This is a fictional city created by Terry Pratchett in his Discworld books…and there begins another story.
You can find our Wincanton showroom within easy reach of the A303; Unit 4, Lawrence Hill Business Centre, Saxon Way, Wincanton, Somerset, BA9 9RT call us on 01963 824700