Townapedia
Castle Cary church
Castle Cary church · Graham Horn, CC BY-SA 2.0
The Market House, Castle Cary, Somerset
The Market House, Castle Cary, Somerset · Neiljforsyth, CC BY-SA 4.0
Market House Castle Cary
Market House Castle Cary · Trish Steel, CC BY-SA 2.0
Bow Bridge Bruton
Bow Bridge Bruton · Trish Steel, CC BY-SA 2.0
Alford church
Alford church · Mike Searle, CC BY-SA 2.0
Lamyatt church
Lamyatt church · Phil Williams, CC BY-SA 2.0

Castle Cary, United Kingdom

Castle Cary is a town of 3,232 people in England, United Kingdom.

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Population3,232 GeoNames
RegionEngland
Elevation299 ft 91 m
Time zoneEurope/London
Nearest airportRoyal Naval Air Station Yeovilton (YEO) 8 mi
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Why visit Castle Cary

Townapedia lists 2 museums and landmarks, 2 parks and trails, 12 places to eat, 1 place to stay and 3 attractions in and around town.

Highlights include Bow Bridge and The Roundhouse.

About Castle Cary

Castle Cary () is a market town and civil parish in south Somerset, England, 5 miles (8 km) north west of Wincanton and 8 miles (12.9 km) south of Shepton Mallet, at the foot of Lodge Hill and on the River Cary, a tributary of the Parrett.

From the Wikipedia article Castle Cary (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Things to do3

Bow Bridge

Bridge · 3.0 mi

Packhorse bridge in Bruton, Somerset, England

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Lodge Hill

Scenic view · 0.4 mi

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Lodge Hill Viewpoint

Scenic view · 0.4 mi

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Museums and landmarks2

Georgia Stoneman

Museum

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The Roundhouse

Monument and historic site

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Parks, trails and playgrounds2

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Restaurants and cafes12

Burnt Honey

Cafe

High Street, Castle Cary

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Miah's Castle

Restaurant · Indian

Woodcock Street, Castle Cary

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Burns The Bread

Bakery

Fore Street, Castle Cary

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Somerset Wine Company

Brewery and winery

Woodcock Street, Castle Cary

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The Bakehouse

Restaurant

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The Brook House Inn

Bar and pub · 1.1 mi

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The Creamery

Cafe · 0.8 mi

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Dragon House

Fast food · Chinese

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Rio D'Oro

Restaurant · Italian

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The White Hart

Bar and pub

Fore Street, Castle Cary

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Denelas Bread And Cakes

Bakery

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Castle Cary Kebab And Pizza

Fast food

4 Fore Street, Castle Cary

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History

According to The Concise Oxford dictionary of English Place-Names Castle Cary derives its name from the River Cary. The river's name may itself be related to the Welsh word car- meaning "to love"; the name River Cary may mean "pleasant stream".

The first Cary Castle was besieged in 1138 and again in 1152. It was originally made with a timber frame, as it would have been built by the Normans, and inherited their building traditions in wood. Cary first appears in recorded history after the Norman Conquest in 1066, though according to a Castle Cary history there is evidence the site was occupied and fortified before this.

The castle was abandoned and slighted in the 12th century. It was replaced by a manor house, and the stones pillaged for other buildings in the town.

It would seem that the second castle was begun in the 13th century around 1250 and built in Cary stone, indicating that the Hadspen Quarry was in operation at this time. It suggests the Church of All Saints, Castle Cary was begun at a similar time and completed over centuries.

From the History section of Castle Cary on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

More about Castle Cary

Education

The town has a primary and a secondary school. Castle Cary Community Primary School dates from 1840, whereas Ansford Academy built in 1940 with additional rooms for science, technology, mathematics and modern languages being added in the 1970s. A new £1.7 million Sports Centre was completed in 2005.

From the Wikipedia article Castle Cary, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Notable people from Castle Cary

Born in Castle Cary, according to Wikidata (CC0). Each name links to its Wikipedia article.

Where to stay1

Churches and places of worship15

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Shopping3

Gas and EV charging1

Schools, colleges and libraries2

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Healthcare1

Map of Castle Cary

42 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.

Getting there and nearby towns

Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton (YEO) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 8 miles away.

Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.

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Photo credits

Page built November 10, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.