sword in the stone

The Sword in the Stone sits in a church at Wellingborough Road, just outside Taunton - though honestly, you need to know exactly where you're going or you'll drive straight past it. This isn't Excalibur gleaming on a hilltop. It's a medieval stone slab with a sword blade genuinely embedded in it, housed inside a modest parish church. The reality is rather spare compared to the legend, but that's rather the point.

What you're looking at is thought to date from the 14th century, and whether it inspired the Arthurian tales or merely became entangled with them over time, there's something quietly moving about standing in front of actual medieval stonework. The church itself is small and unassuming - you pop in, have a look, and you're done in twenty minutes, tops.

This works best for history buffs and anyone with a particular interest in Arthurian legend or medieval Britain. Families with young children might find it underwhelming unless you're already big on the tales. If you're staying at Cornish Farm Touring Park or Ashe Farm, it's barely ten minutes away, making for an easy morning detour before heading elsewhere.

Admission details are unclear - ring ahead to the church itself to confirm opening times and whether there's a small donation box. It's free or nearly so, which suits its understated appeal. Worth a brief visit if you're in the Taunton area and keen on that particular brand of English oddity, but don't expect it to be the centrepiece of your holiday.