Wiveliscombe -- known locally as 'Wivey' -- is a friendly market town on the southern edge of the Exmoor hills, set among rolling Somerset countryside between the Brendon Hills and the Quantock Hills.
The town has a long and proud history as a centre for agriculture and brewing. Its handsome Georgian and Victorian buildings line The Square and Silver Street, and there is a strong community spirit with a weekly market, independent shops, and a welcoming atmosphere that makes it an excellent base for a quieter Exmoor holiday.
Wiveliscombe has a good range of everyday shops and services for a small town. You will find a Co-op supermarket, a post office, a pharmacy, a butcher, a bakery, and several independent shops selling gifts, antiques, and local produce. There is also a medical centre, a dentist, a primary school, and a library. The town has a heated outdoor swimming pool (open in summer), sports pitches, and a recreation ground with a children's play area.
Taunton, approximately 10 miles to the south-east, is the county town of Somerset and the nearest large shopping centre. It has Sainsbury's, Tesco, Waitrose, Asda, and Lidl supermarkets, a wide range of high street shops, and the Orchard Shopping Centre. Taunton also has a cinema, a museum, a theatre, and a mainline railway station with direct services to London Paddington.
For Exmoor-specific shops and visitor centres, Dulverton is approximately 12 miles to the north-west and has the Exmoor National Park Visitor Centre, several independent shops, a butcher, and a chemist.