A picturesque moated castle, a church with an exhibition on local history, and a public garden in a former limestone quarry offer different ways to explore Nunney during a stay: architectural history, village history, and garden landscapes. Circular walks, a pump track, and events with a long local history add to these themes.
Castle and Church: Two Perspectives on Nunney’s History
Nunney Castle is a medieval castle dating from the 1370s. Four round corner towers and connecting walls are surrounded by a moat. As a Scheduled Monument of national importance, the castle is also recognised for its historic significance. The distinctive combination of towers, walls, and moat offers a tangible introduction to Nunney’s past.
All Saints Church offers another historical perspective. This Grade I listed church was built largely in the 14th and 15th centuries. Inside are effigies of former residents of Nunney Castle, as well as an exhibition on Nunney’s history. Alongside the castle’s architecture, the focus is therefore also on church memorials and the history of the village.
Gardens and Outdoor Paths
Old Quarry Gardens was transformed from an active limestone quarry into a public garden. Its features include a circular path, a small pond, and a willow tunnel. The change from quarry to garden is itself part of local history; the pond and willow tunnel add a different dimension to the site’s former use.
The car park and entrance to Old Quarry Gardens are accessible to wheelchair users. Most of the grounds inside consist of level lawns and paths. As conditions may change, it is advisable to check accessibility before your visit.
The Nunney Village Walk Booklet offers circular walks around the village. The Nunney BMX Track offers a different kind of activity: the compact dirt pump track has rollers and banked turns and is laid out as a loop. The two options are clearly distinct in form: circular walks through the surrounding area on the one hand, and a track with rollers and turns on the other.
Events with a Long Tradition
Nunney’s annual Summer Street Fayre was revived in 1975. Earlier Nunney fayres date back to a market charter granted by King Henry III in 1260. The annual Nunney & District Flower Show and Fete also has a long history: its first volunteer committee was founded in 1884 as the Nunney Horticultural Society. The Flower Show’s programme, as described, includes home-grown and homemade produce, crafts, art, photography, and creative writing.
A local guide from 2026 describes Tower Tours during the Nunney Fayre. The tours of Nunney Tower and the bell chamber involve climbing a steep spiral staircase, viewing the bells, and taking in the view over the village from the top of the tower. If you plan to attend this event, check the arrangements for the next event before travelling. If you are planning a specific trip, it is also worth checking the dates of the annual events.
More Outdoor Discoveries
The Nunney Sensory Garden Experience features five planters that support pollinators throughout the year and engage all the senses. The programme also includes a permanent treasure hunt that is continually being developed, the Exploratory Woodlands, and a Fairy Trail. This gives the Experience a different focus from Old Quarry Gardens: as well as plants, it offers sensory experiences and discovery activities, while the former quarry is now landscaped as a public garden.
Discover more destinations: Tintinhull, Shepton Mallet, Henstridge, Beckington, Litton, Sparkford, Washford, West Coker
For the broader travel overview: Somerset.
