Welcome to Midsomer Norton's High Street Renewal Programme

The High Street renewal programme for Midsomer Norton includes a range of activities to improve the town centre and is an accumulation of different projects. The scheme aims to support sustainable economic & cultural growth on the high street, enhance local historic character making streets vibrant places. The programme will do this through physical works to buildings, including repair, reinstatement of lost features, public realm improvements and master planning.

The Island has suffered from underinvestment for many years but contractors are now on site to deliver a new Market Square for Midsomer Norton.

The Grade II Listed Town Hall is currently undergoing a £1.5m renovation that will restore the Victorian Market Hall. 

We are working with local businesses to deliver much needed investment in the High Street. A number of shopfront and signage improvements have already been undertaken with more planned. 

Community activities, like the Fayre, are central to life in Midsomer Norton. See how we plan to support arts, culture and events on the High Street.

Project Updates

Heritage Open Days: Discover Midsomer Norton High Street

Date: September 16, 2023
Time: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Unit 14, 14 South Road, Midsomer Norton, Somerset, BA3 2EZ
heritage open days
Somer Valley rediscovered – June 2023-92

Come along to our family-friendly launch event celebrating a new heritage audio trail of Midsomer Norton High Street. There will be a mini craft market, refreshments, face painting, music and creative workshops. You can also book onto a preview tour of the Midsomer Norton Town Hall Transformation Project.

Heritage Open Days: Downside Abbey

Date: September 14, 2023
Time: 10:30 am – 3:30 pm
Location: Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, BA3 4RH
heritage open days
downside_8-12_500_350_80_s_c1

Downside Abbey is one of the architectural and historical gems of Somerset. We are offering two free tours. 1) The abbey church and monastic cemetery 2) The private monastery gardens. The visitor centre will be open for light refreshments.

Heritage Open Days: Waterside Valley Bat Walk

Date: September 12, 2023
Time: 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Location: St Nicholas' Church, Church Street, Radstock, Somerset, BA3 3QQ
heritage open days
Capture

Join us at Waterside Valley on Tuesday 12th September for an evening bat walk led by professional bat ecologists.

We will start at 7:30pm with a brief talk about bat ecology and conservation and then go for a gentle stroll around the meadows and along the river looking and listening out for different bat species. We will use bat detectors to pick up the bats echolocations and work out what species we have recorded. We will finish up at 9:30pm.

Heritage Open Days: High Street Heroes through History

Date: September 12, 2023
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Unit 14, 14 South Road , Midsomer Norton, Somerset, BA3 2EZ
heritage open days
8

Join the local experts behind Midsomer Norton’s new heritage audio trail and find out the real stories of some of our High Street heroes, past and present. Book in advance.

Heritage Open Days: Tower Tours and Bell Ringing

Start date: September 10, 2023
End date: September 13, 2023
Time: 2:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: St. John the Baptist Church, Church Square, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2HX
heritage open days
1091100

A chance to climb the Church Tower. Climb all 100 steps to take in the magnificent view from the top! This will be on Sunday 10th September, 2-5pm.

Bell ringing practice – come and see the Bells ring, perhaps have a go yourself! This will take place on Wednesday 13th September, 7:30pm-9pm.

Heritage Open Days: Family Nature and Heritage Walk

Date: September 9, 2023
Time: 9:45 am – 1:30 pm
Location: Midsomer Norton Town Park, Gullock Tyning, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2UH
tree hug

An activity led Family Walk through Midsomer Norton Town Park and surrounding cycle paths, suitable for prams and adventurous little legs. Booking is essential.

Heritage Open Days: Midsomer Norton Methodist Church

Start date: September 8, 2023
End date: September 17, 2023
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Location: Midsomer Norton Methodist Church, High Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2DR
heritage open days
308909677_425143863082135_3523942976975665230_n

An opportunity to visit the church with its unusual stone pillars and pulpit and an exhibition of old photographs. Take time out in a quiet peaceful space for prayer and reflection.

Friday 8 September: 10.00-12.00
Sunday 10 September: Church service 10.00-11.00
Monday 11 September: 10.00-12.00
Tuesday 12 September: 10.00-12.00
Friday 15 September: 10.00-12.00
Sunday 17 September: Church service 10.00-11.00

Heritage Open Days: Myths and Memories of Midsomer Norton High Street

Start date: September 8, 2023
End date: September 17, 2023
All-day event
Location: St. John the Baptist Church, Church Square, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2HX
heritage open days
PXL_20230801_130806325.MP

A fun and immersive self-guided sound walk around 12 landmark locations on Midsomer Norton High Street. Begins at St John the Baptist Church. Find the tour at www.midsomernortonaudiotrails.co.uk.

Midsomer Norton Fayre

Date: July 8, 2023
Time: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: Midsomer Norton Town Park
Fayre

Plans are well underway for the annual family-friendly extravaganza. Attractions will include bouncy castles, face painting, Punch & Judy, a street organ, goat rides, balloon modelling, music workshops and much, much more. Parc Skateboarding are also bring a Skate Jam to the town’s world class skate park.

Midsomer Music & Arts Festival

Date: June 3, 2023
Time: 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Midsomer Norton Town Park
91851694-5c1108003c76a7c90c182a4816225cf7

A free festival showcasing local performance and creativity, featuring popular acts from the area, sixth-form bands from local schools, and a community art project celebrating the High Street.