Bridgwater is a historic market town and civil parish that is located in the county of Somerset, South West England. Situated in the valley of the River Parrett, Bridgwater has a long history that dates back to the Saxon era. The town's name originates from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘Bryj’, which means quayside, and the water part of the name which comes from ‘Walter’ the Norman lord of the manor, so Bridgwater, or Bryj of Walter, essentially means Walter's Quay. The average property price in Bridgwater is around £220,000, which is much lower than the London average of £520,000. A range of properties are available in Bridgwater, from detached barn conversions and farmhouses to bungalows and converted apartments, all of which are suited to those with small and big budgets.
Plenty of wonderful attractions are offered in Bridgwater. Tourists and residents can explore the historical sights of Burrow Mump, Battle of Sedgemoor visitor centre, and Bridgwater Docks & Town Circular. For those looking for some entertainment, they can head to the likes of Bridgwater Arts Centre, The Macmillan Theatre, and the Angel Place Shopping Centre. Somerset is a sociable county, with residents that need no excuse to celebrate an event. There are many festivals that happen within Somerset, and Bridgwater residents can attend some of the famous events of Glastonbury Festival, Frome Art Festival and Queen Caturn’s Night in Watchet which celebrates a visit from Queen Catherine of Braganza hundreds of years ago.
Bridgwater is among the top 10 most unsafe areas of the towns, villages, and cities in Somerset. The town has a 112% higher crime rate than the South West and a 62% higher crime rate than the England, Wales & Northern Ireland overall figure.
A reasonable amount of parking spaces are available in Bridgwater. Residents looking for short-term hourly paid parking can head to the likes of Market Street Car Park, Dampiet Street Car Park, and Eastover Short Stay Car Park. Those in need of long-term parking for convenience or work purposes can use the online services of JustPark, Parkopedia, and Yourparkingspace to secure a space at a daily or monthly fee.
Bridgwater nightlife varies from bars and clubs to restaurants and pubs. Residents can attend the popular evening venues of Bar 27, Bar Brunel, The Abbey, and The Fountain. Those in need of a change of scenery can explore the nearby areas of Bristol, Exeter, or Bournemouth, for further nightlife options.
Families don't have any ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted-rated schools to choose from in Bridgwater. There are however 18 ‘Good’ Ofsted-rated schools to choose from, some of which are Northgate Primary School, Penrose School, and Eastover Primary School. Further education can be found around the area, with some local options being Bridgwater and Taunton College, Bath Spa University, and University Centre Somerset.
As there is a variety of properties within Bridgwater, pet owners are likely to find suitable accommodation for themselves and their furry friends. Dog walkers and adventurers can also find a lovely selection of local green spaces to explore, including Wilstock Country Park, Cranleigh garden park, Wembdon Parklands, and Blake Gardens.
Bridgwater station is mainly served by the Great Western Railway, where residents can find frequent direct and connecting trains. Some of the popular destinations reachable by Bridgwater station are Bristol Temple Meads- 51m, Bath Spa- 1hr 16m, Southampton Central- 2hrs 20m, and London Paddington 2hrs 25m. The nearest airport to Bridgwater is Bristol (BRS) Airport, which can be reached by car in 46 minutes via the M5 and the A38. Buses also serve the area for local travel.