Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 16 h 32 min4:57 am – 9:30 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 7 h 55 min8:12 am – 4:07 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 8°C, lows 2°C871 mm of rain a year, 27 days with 10 mm or morewettest month November37 days of air frost, 10 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 landmarksAbbey Hillhill · 1.2 miPickeridge Hillhill · 1.6 miTop Lakelake · 3.7 miPridley Plantationswoodland · under a mileOld Combevalley · 2.1 miGrove Coppicewoodland · under a mileSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Parks and green spacesTaunton and Pickeridge Golf Clubgolf course · 1.3 mi · 39 haJeffery's Allotmentallotments · 1.6 miTrull Greenpark · 4.0 miCrufts Meadowpark · 4.5 miGoodland Gardenspark · 4.6 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 20269 mi away, Chard, SomersetSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Flood riskRivers and sea: areas at High risk within 500 m of the centrea 1 in 30 chance of flooding in any year, or greaterAlso medium, low risk areas nearbySource: Environment Agency, Risk of Flooding from Rivers and Sea
Air qualityNO2 3.8 · PM2.5 5.3 · PM10 9.5 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
Elevation103 m338 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 77 to 161 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalHospital@Home (Site Code)3.9 miGP surgeryVasectomy Clinic3.5 miPharmacyBoots3.5 miDentistWhyman House Dental Practice3.6 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service
SchoolsWithin 2 mi1 school1 primaryPrimaryThurlbear Church of England Primary Schoolages 5-11, 210 pupils1.7 miSecondaryBishop Fox's Schoolages 11-16, 1,123 pupils3.7 miCollegeUniversity Centre Somerset College Group12.2 miSource: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools
Getting aroundAirportExeter International Airport EXT22 miMajor airportBristol Airport BRS33 miRailway stationTaunton5.0 miBus stationBus StationTaunton4.6 miFerryBridgwater Ferry Terminal13 miBus stops4 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the TA3 postcode district.
