Wincanton
The Town
Keen on south east Somerset? Ask your Recoco property finder to show you Wincanton, right on the borders of Wiltshire and Dorset. Our property search company may mention the fact the town is rapidly growing but still somewhat undersung, with a population of just over 5,270. If you’re a property buyer contemplating a local property search, it might interest you to know the local council has outlined a regeneration strategy.
Our buyers agents can confirm Wincanton’s climate is generally pleasant, although our real estate buyers agent might mention it’s typically wetter than most of the British Isles.
Transport
If you’re considering a property search here, our Recoco buying agent can tell you Wincanton lies just north of the A303. Our property search company can also confirm Castle Cary and Templecombe are the nearest railway stations. Berrys Coaches ‘Superfast’ service runs to and from London twice a day - ask our real estate buyers agent for details.
Your Recoco property finder can show you the stunning local scenery; our buyers agents might point out orchards, well-wooded combes or valleys, and gently rolling hills. Alternatively, our boutique buying agents could help you locate stunning panoramic vistas over Somerset and adjoining counties.
History
Evidence of Bronze Age Beaker people has been found at nearby Windmill Hill and Selwood Ridge - your Recoco buying agent can provide more information.
Interested in history? Our independent buying agents might mention the area’s fair share of battles between Saxons, Danes, and Britons. Our boutique buying agents can confirm the town’s Domesday Book entry is “Wincaleton”. Your Recoco property finder can tell you Wincanton gained a market and fair charter in 1556. Our boutique buying agents can also confirm much of the town was destroyed by fire in the early 1700s.
Our real estate buyers agent can show you the mainly Georgian high street, with evidence of its coaching history. As a property buyer, you may notice some shops are quite functional, though as our property buying agent can tell you, numerous independent businesses are adding character to the town.
Leisure and Events
For a property buyer who enjoys cycling, horse-riding, or hiking, our independent buying agents can emphasise Wincanton’s appeal. The town is associated with horse racing, although Wincanton Racecourse is located in neighbouring Charlton Musgrove. Our property search company might also tell you the legend that the Iron Age hill fort at South Cadbury was King Arthur’s court of Camelot. Automobile enthusiasts might like to ask our property buying agent about the Haynes International Museum; for aviation history, try the Fleet Air Arm Museum.
Our buyers agents can suggest several local stately homes with attractive gardens, including Longleat, National Trust showpiece site Stourhead, and Montacute House, great places to break your property search.
The town has football, bowling, tennis, cricket, rugby, and cycling facilities. The Wincanton Community Sports Centre, right next to King Arthur’s Community School, offers badminton, fitness suite, hockey, karate, swimming, and trampolining. The town has a skatepark and various junior sports teams, plus a fenced-off play area for children at Penn View Recreation Ground. Wincanton also has a golf club.
Education
Ask your property buying agent about local primary schools - Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School and Wincanton Primary. The state secondary is King Arthur’s School, which has specialist Sports College status. Two other well-regarded secondaries nearby are Sexey’s School in Bruton and Gillingham School.
Local prep schools include Hazlegrove, Leweston, Port Regis, and Sherborne and Leweston, while local public schools include Bruton School for Girls, King’s Bruton, Millfield, and Sherborne School.
Foodies’ Corner
In the late 1890s, the town became known as a dairy centre, and your Recoco buying agent can tell you the main company changed its name in 1908 to Cow & Gate, synonymous with dried milk baby powder. If you’re feeling in need of a wholesome snack, Lovington Bakery produces delicious sourdough. Independent cafe Hooga offers delicious local produce, or there’s hearty pub food on offer at the Nog Inn, Montague Inn, or the Hunter’s Lodge Inn. There’s also tandoori, Chinese, fish and chips, delicatessen fare, kebabs, and pizza on offer.
Celebrity Connections
Sustainability and women’s empowerment advocate Lynne Franks is behind the Hub at No 3, a plant-based cafe and event space with eco-bedrooms. And Wincanton has multiple links to Discworld author Terry Pratchett and illustrator Richard Kingston. The Uncle Tom’s Cabin pub inspired The Mended Drum - both Kingston and Pratchett were regulars.
Fun Fact
The town sign shows that Wincanton twinned with Ankh-Morpork. Ask our independent buying agents about the Discworld Emporium (now online).