Castle Cary

The Town

In the mood for a Somerset property search? Ask your property buying agent about the pretty market town of Castle Cary, on the River Cary and lying in the gentle, green countryside halfway between Blackmore Vale and the Mendips. Need a more precise location? Ask your Recoco property finder: it’s 24 miles south of Bath, 12 miles north-east of Yeovil, about 8 miles south of Shepton Mallet and 5 miles north west of Wincanton. If our real estate buyers agent includes Ansford, Castle Cary’s population is around 3,000.

As our property search company can tell you, Castle Cary’s main street stretches to the old Horse Pond. Your Recoco buying agent can point out attractive older buildings in the town like the Round House, Old George Inn, and the Market House. Buyers agents may also highlight the local golden stone, used in many of the buildings, that adds to the town’s warm and welcoming feel. Or your Recoco property finder can present the more modern developments to the north, near Ansford.

Transport

For any property buyer needing to factor rail links into their property search, the railway station is about a mile north of the town itself, on both the Heart of Wessex and main Taunton to Reading line. Or ask your Recoco buying agent about bus links to Yeovil, Wincanton, Street, and Shepton Mallet. 

Neither Glastonbury, Street, nor Wells have their own railway stations, as our property search company can confirm. Our property buying agent can also tell you Castle Cary is the main station for the Glastonbury festival.

History

Castle Cary, the town, is first recorded after the 11th century Norman invasion, although buyers agents can confirm there is evidence of previous occupation. The Celtic word “Cary” means castle, crag, or rock. Our boutique buying agents can point out where the castle was located. The first was Norman-built; the second was started around 1250 and built of Cary stone. In the mid 1400s, the castle owners moved to a manor house built next door.

For more town history, ask your Recoco buying agent. The town developed rapidly, with a focus on wool, after gaining its formal market charter in 1468. Ask your real estate buyers agent about 18th century town changes, when flax mills began producing webbing, twine, and sail cloth. If you’re interested, our boutique buying agents can point you towards many historically significant buildings. As our independent buying agents can tell you, Grade II* Listed buildings in and around the town include Market House, Top Mill Building at Higher Flax Mills, and Hadspen House.  

Education

As our buyers agents can affirm, Castle Cary Community Primary School can trace its history to 1840, while secondary school Ansford Academy dates from a century later.

Celebrity Connections

Ask your independent buying agents about the Macmillan Way walking trail that runs through the town – named for Douglas Macmillan, founder of the Cancer Relief Charity.  

Foodies’ Corner

Want to assess your property search over a good meal? Take a little time to sample traditional fare at the Bay Tree or Thai or Asian at the Bakehouse. Alternatively, there’s local ale at the 15th century Old George Hotel – they also serve home-baked sausage rolls and chutney. For a property buyer who likes to cook their own meals, with an awareness of the provenance of their food, options include the Thoroughly Wild Meat Company. Other specialist outlets include the Somerset Wine Company   

Leisure and Events

For a property buyer who enjoys retail therapy, our property search company can help you discover the local specialist shops, including antique stores, grocers, ironmongers, and boutiques. Call in to the Needful Things Interiors and Gifts showroom for great interior design ideas. Or visit the Bailey Hill Book Shop, offering complimentary coffee as you browse the shelves. The Trowbridge Gallery offers one-off items from affordable art to recycled glassware.

If markets are more your retail style, our property buying agent can confirm market day is Tuesday, in front of the Market House. The vintage market takes place on the first Saturday of each month. The town has also held Fairtrade Village status since June 2004.

For stunning views of the local countryside, your independent buying agents may direct you to the top of Lodge Hill. Or ask your Recoco property finder about other actitivites: golf, pilates, and the Gallery Bar nightclub.

Fun Fact

Our real estate buyers agent can confirm that some of the second castle’s stonework was incorporated into buildings in the town.