The healthiest and unhealthiest areas of Taunton have been documented on an interactive map, created by the Consumer Data Research Centre.

Despite not being the biggest area in the UK, there is quite a surprising difference between one area and the next.

Under the criteria used to judge what makes a healthy area, you might find that your friend down the road lives in a more robust area than you do.

What makes a healthy or unhealthy area?

Using the 'Access to Health Assets and Hazards' index the CDRC is able to measure how 'healthy' neighbourhoods are under four key criteria.

  • Retail environment (access to fast food outlets, pubs, off-licences, tobacconists, gambling outlets),
  • Health services (access to GPs, hospitals, pharmacies, dentists, leisure services),
  • Physical environment (Blue Space, Green Space - Active, Green Space - Passive), and
  • Air quality (Nitrogen Dioxide, Particulate Matter 10, Sulphur Dioxide).

Take a look at the entire map to see your area in more detail.

How healthy is Taunton?

Somerset County Gazette: A map showing the healthiest and unhealthiest areas in and around TauntonA map showing the healthiest and unhealthiest areas in and around Taunton

The good news for most people is that, generally speaking, Taunton is a healthy place to live. Most of the town comes under a blue or light grey colour representing its place among the best deciles.

Comeytrowe, Galmington, Priorswood, Haines Hill, Sherford, Tangier, Lyngford, Holway and Maidenbrook are considered the healthiest areas of the town.

The closer you get to the centre, the less healthy it starts to get. North Town and the town centre itself are where it starts to become a little less healthy.

Villages such as Monkton Heathfield and Creech St Michael are penalised because of how far they are away from central hubs.

The least healthy areas are smaller settlements further from the nearest large town such as Ruishton, Stoke St Mary, Haydon and Henlade.