Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 16 h 32 min4:58 am – 9:30 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 7 h 55 min8:12 am – 4:08 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People8,289 residentsin the Dowslands & Blackdown census areaMedian age 51.73,458 households80% of homes owner-occupied48% owned outright6% social rented, 14% private rentedSource: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
Work and commuting3.1% unemployment rate57% of adults are economically active, 3,876 in work, 31% retiredMain industries: health and social work 17%, retail and wholesale 13%, education 11%Getting to work: 35% work from home, 55% go by car, 8% walk or cycle59% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
Education and languages39% of adults hold a degree or higher12% have no qualifications, 6% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 97%Source: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 21°C, lows 12°CColdest month January: highs 7°C, lows 2°C940 mm of rain a year, 33 days with 10 mm or morewettest month November39 days of air frost, 8 summer days above 25°C in a typical yearSource: Met Office HadUK-Grid 1991-2020 averages, 2 km grid (highs and lows from the 12 km grid)
Nearby landmarksLuxhay Reservoirreservoir · under a mileBlagdon Reservoirreservoir · under a mileBlagdon Hillhill · under a mileBlackdown Hillshills · 1.4 miAdcombe Hillhill · 1.0 miTop Lakelake · 2.7 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Parks and green spacesPitminster and Angersleigh Sports Fieldplaying field · under a mileTaunton and Pickeridge Golf Clubgolf course · 1.7 mi · 39 haQueen's Acreplaying field · 1.7 miTrull Greenpark · 2.7 miBrook Allotmentallotments · 1.6 miMillennum Gardenpark · 4.1 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Greenspace
Earthquakes40 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19708 of magnitude 3+, 1 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 4.0 on 25 Feb 197447 mi away, NewportMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 8 Feb 202611 mi away, Chard, SomersetSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Flood riskRivers and sea: no mapped risk within 500 m of the centreSource: Environment Agency, Risk of Flooding from Rivers and Sea
Air qualityNO2 3.9 · PM2.5 5.3 · PM10 9.2 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within UK limits, above the WHO guideline for PM2.5Source: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband55% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband81% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)1.7% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)3,514 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation129 m423 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 82 to 278 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalBft Southmead Musgrove Park Hospital3.8 miGP surgeryCollege Way Surgery3.4 miPharmacyWell3.4 miDentistWhyman House Dental Practice3.7 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service
SchoolsWithin 2 miNo schools listedCollegeUniversity Centre Somerset College Group13.5 miSource: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools
Getting aroundAirportExeter International Airport EXT20 miMajor airportCardiff International Airport CWL32 miRailway stationTaunton4.7 miBus stationBus StationTaunton4.1 miFerryBridgwater Ferry Terminal14 miBus stops12 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the TA3 postcode district.
