Walk4Life - One Mile Route to Town

Despite a perception that Blackbrook Business Park is out-of-town, it is actually surprisingly quick to get into town by walking or cycling.

The distance from Blackbrook to the bottom of East Street – where St Margaret’s Almhouses are located (opposite the bus depot) – is exactly one mile (or 20 minutes walk for a fit person). This new route shows you how easy it is to walk into town.

The length of the route is signed with bright yellow continuity stickers (markers on signposts, right) - these are all mounted 1.3m high (about 4 feet) so they are easy to spot. If you don't see a sticker just carry straight on.

• The walk is entirely along footways away from traffic - and includes items of natural and historical interest. A guide is presented below. The route will be formally ‘opened’ on the Travel Celebration Day with a walk open to all employees and local people.

You can also view an aerial shot of the route on the West of Junction 25 Transport Map.

1. Start - Blackbrook Business Park

The start of the walk is Blackbrook Park Avenue which runs through Blackbrook Business Park.

Blackbrook Business Park was commenced in the 1990s and is one of the premier business areas in Somerset.

2. South Taunton Streams Local Nature Reserve

Cross straight over Blackbrook Way where the footway/cycleway continues.

Black Brook runs alongside the route and links to watercourses which run all the way into town. Look out for families of mallard ducks making their way between watercourses in the summer months.

Bear right towards Severn Drive; or instead you can visit the local shops by turning left.

Turn right onto Severn Drive and then left towards Hamilton Park after a few meters.

Continue across Severn Drive and Avill Crescent.

3. Hamilton Park

Turn left when you get to Hamilton Park.

Hamilton Park (also known as Hamilton Gault Park) is a popular green space for sport and relaxation. It is located adjacent to Hamilton Road to the north and Lisieux Way to the south, and if you're there on a Saturday afternoon you can hear the sounds of matches from the town's nearby football ground. Taunton skatepark was opening in May 2010.

Colonel Andrew Hamilton Gault was a parliamentary representative of Taunton in the early 1900s. The park features a number of play areas and a spectacular avenue of Horse Chestnut trees.

4. Hamilton Road

Continue past the bus depot where many of First's buses go to sleep at night.

St Margaret's Almshouses mark the end of the journey. These are now used for social housing accommodation, and are popularly known for their history as a leper hospital which dates back to the 12th century.

From here you are a short walk from all the shops on East Street that lead the way to the town centre.