Yeovil is a town and civil parish in Somerset. It shares a border with Dorset, and is located roughly 130 miles from London. It’s also 40 miles from Bristol and a further 30 miles from Taunton. The town has a population of more than 45,000, and is surrounded by a number of villages including East Coker, Hardington, Evershot, Halstock, Stoford and Barwick. The town has a temperate climate, characterised by mild, wet weather.
The origins of Yeovil can be traced back to ancient times. The town sits on an old Roman road that runs from Dorchester to Chester, along which relics and artefacts have been found. The name Yeovil comes from the Celtic river-name gifl, meaning forked river, with reference to the River Yeo that runs through Somerset. In the 1800s, Yeovil was a centre for glovemaking and experienced a rapid surge in population. A century of so later, its railway network was built, and, with that, the town gained borough status.
During the 20th century, Yeovil became a hub for aircraft and defence industries, and was home to Westland Aircraft – one of the largest employers of the day. These days, the town is a main base for the Royal Army and British Army, as well as various manufacturing and retail companies.
These days, Yeovil is a thriving county town full of shops and attractions. Popular attractions include the Yeovil Railway Centre, The Octagon Theatre, and Yeovil Recreation Centre. For shopping, head to either the Quedam Shopping Centre of The Emporium – located on Princes Street.
The town boasts two train stations – Yeovil Pen Mill and Yeovil Junction. Yeovil Pen Mill forms part of the Bristol to Weymouth train route by Great Western Railway, whilst Yeovil Junction can be found on the London to Exeter line. The town has a number of bus services which operate throughout the week. The closest airport to Yeovil is Bristol Airport, at roughly 42 miles away.
Complete your trip to Yeovil with a stay in a SilverDoor serviced apartment.
