North Petherton is a small town with a population of around 5000 people on the edge of the Quantocks. It officially became a town in the 20th century, before which it lay claim to be the ‘largest village in England’. Lying 8 miles south-west of Taunton, it has a number of listed buildings including the Crossways Swing Bridge and the Grade 1 Listed 15th century Minster Church. The town has a carnival in November and there is a local primary school. Taunton is the County Town of Somerset with a population of around 61,000 people, making it the largest town in the County. The town is noted as the home of Somerset Cricket Club and Taunton Racecourse, close to the Blackdown Hills. In the centre of the town is the 19 acre Vivary Park, complete with 18 hole golf course, tennis courts and children’s playgrounds. There is an excellent town centre for shopping which includes all the leading retailers, whilst Hankridge Farm Retail Park is close to J25. The town has leading independent schools at Taunton School, Queen’s College and King’s College, whilst Richard Huish is an excellent sixth-form centre.