Academy Guide: Taunton
Getting there
Most people drive to Taunton – it’s straight up the M5. Generally it’s best to leave about an hour to get there, longer if you’re leaving in the morning as the traffic in Taunton can be terrible. For a 9am start, its best to leave Bristol at about 7.45am to be suree you get there on time.
There is also a train station right in the middle of Taunton – there is a regular service between Bristol and Taunton.
Accommodation
All 3rd and 4th years are placed at Cannonsgrove Halls of Residence. These halls are for students at a local college but there is only one building there just for medical students. All the rooms have a bed, desk, shelves and a bedside table AND are en-suite. You’re provided with NHS bedding (duvet, pillow, sheets etc) but you may well want to bring your own (starched sheets aren’t really the range at the moment). They also provide you with towels, but most people end up using these to soak up the floods from the showers that happen everytime you wash! The rooms are pretty similar to Durdham Hall…
Facilities
The Halls have a small sports hall and a bar area – generally it’s OK to use them. There is also a sports field and outdoor BBQ in case the weathers nice.
Kitchen
Each firm shares a kitchen which all have an oven, hobs, microwave, kettle, fridge/freezer combo. Most stuff like plates, cutlery and pans are provided…though tin openers and bottle openers are often nowhere to be seen.
TV
There’s a TV in the hall…but that’s it.
Parking
We don’t have permits for parking in the allocated spaces so you have to park at the back of the halls. As you drive into the halls, just keep following the road round until you find the back car park. There are also bike racks available right outside of the building for you to park your bikes.
Nearest Supermarket
Most people tend to go to Tesco as it’s really near the hospital – you can’t miss it!
Otherwise, if you need bits and pieces, you can always go to the Trull shop which is on the left on the way back to the halls (on Honiton Road- the long road that takes you back to halls)…they sell really nice home made cakes in there!
Nearest Pub
There is a bar in the halls, which has a TV and pool table. Other than that, there’s a really good pub called the Corwn Inn – a 5 minute walk from halls. Turn left out of the halls and walk down the road…it’s on your left.
Getting to Musgrove Hospital
- Walking… requires energy and enthusiam.
- Cycling – best option as there are no hills.
- Bus – Takes about 15mins and costs £2 return…not really worth it.
- Driving – nightmare. Try to avoid it at all costs.
The Teaching
Be friendly to the admin staff – they are brilliant and extremely helpful! Taunton teaches MDEMO, Psych and TUBES so there will be large groups of students around for you to socialise with. Clinical teaching is by nature pretty hit and miss but Taunton is generally well thought of for its teaching staff!
Taunton itself
The halls are located just under three miles outside of Taunton…so if you want to get into town it’s best to cycle, drive or take a bus. There are loads of great shops – including Debenhams and all the usual high street stuff. There’s a farmers market on Thursday afternoons (last time we checked anyway) where you can find loads of yummy local products. In terms of eating out, there is Pizza Express, which is always good, and a Wetherspoons. We found other options to be pretty pricy! The Old Library is pretty nice too.. If you fancy a big ‘un, the biggest club in Taunton is called Shout! (on east Street). Remedies, close to Shout! Is also fun. The nearest cinema is the Odeon, near the M5 junction 25.
