AS the seasons change and our small Somerset town begins to bloom, there are myriad new opportunities to explore around Wellington.

Here are a just a few of the many local activities to enjoy this Spring.

Located in the beautiful Wellington Basins, Neil’s Coffee Stop is a local favourite for both its great service and the surrounding natural beauty. The Basins are the perfect place to kick off your Spring adventures, and Neil will welcome you with open arms.

Got green fingers? Or maybe you’d like to try your hand at gardening? Look no further than Transition Town Wellington’s community gardening project. The committed group of planters, weeders and pruners could always do with the help of a few volunteers, and with plenty of gatherings to choose from, you can go as much, or as little, as you like. To find out more, check out the Transition Town Wellington calendar.

Our Embassy is the newest addition to Wellington’s food scene, offering a taste of authentic Nigerian gastronomy in the South West of England. The restaurant offers a fantastic range of dishes to eat-in or takeaway, including suya, Nigerian jollof, and plantain, with special commendations for the famous Nigerian Fanta. Our Embassy is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 6pm-10.30pm, with takeaway and delivery available from 4pm.

Pickleball isn’t new to Wellington, but local players have now been blessed with new sessions at the Wellington School’s Princess Royal Sports Hall facilities thanks to the Taunton Pickleball group. Those keen to pick up a paddle can take part in sessions for beginners, intermediate players, and competitive training. Attendees must book online in advance to take part in the new sessions which will take place every Sunday at 3.30pm from April 6.

With quarterly clothes swaps at your fingertips, why not try exchanging your pre-loved clothes for something new. To re-create your wardrobe (for free!) visit Tonedale Mill on March 29 or June 14 for the next seasonal clothes swap.

With thanks to the co-founder of Wellington Friends, locals can now explore some of the best and most sought-after walks around the town. Fiona Rose is a master of the town’s trails and details below how you can find the best spots too.

South Street’s Bookshop by the Blackdowns is truly the gift that keeps on giving. With a fine array of books on offer, beautiful bookmarks and dashing window displays, the shop has come up trumps again with this year’s line-up of literary events. Join the team this Spring for exclusive talks by Nikki May, Stephanie Austin, and Sarah Easter Collins.

The popular eatery Brazier Coffee Roasters is halfway through its limited Korean street food pop-up events, offering locals a taste of classic Korean staples from kimbap rice rolls, gouchijang and sesame dumplings and the delicious bibimbap. Space is limited so book a spot now to secure your spot at the upcoming March and April events.

Purple flowers are blooming around Wellington, and they are not to be missed. Thanks to the hard work of the local Rotary Club, thousands of purple crocuses are appearing in the town as part of the group’s campaign Purple4Polio. Visit Roly Poly Green, or Beech Hill in the coming weeks to catch a glimpse of the bright Spring colours.

Owned by landscape artist Nina King, this gallery showcases original artwork and high-quality prints from a range of talented local artists. Visitors may happily browse, take home an item or a greeting card or two, or if they’re lucky, brush shoulders with some of the resident and guest artists. The Talent Gallery welcomes all from Tuesday to Saturday every week.

Everyone knows the Fore Street butcher Tim Potters, but not many have yet had the joy of trying one of their delicious pasties. Not only do they come in a variety of flavours, from mint and lamb to apple and pork, these popular pasties are perfectly affordable. Pop-in at lunch time to grab one while they’re hot.

Live music is readily available in Wellington, but sometimes you just have to know where it is. Enjoy regular performances at The Vintage Inn – from traditional folk to rock n’ roll – or travel further afield for some of the finest local musicians at The Prince of Wales in Holcombe Rogus.

There is no better time than Spring to get your creative juices flowing, and where better to start than in Wellington. Ever wanted to try baking your own bread but weren’t sure where to begin? Here’s your sign to give it a go at A House of Cake, with their basic bread making course. Or maybe you want to try some painting – how about with a twist? Join Bodley Art & Craft Studio where you can paint a chicken while drinking some fizz. For more creative ideas, check out Somerset Art Works (SAW).

Don’t miss out on the annual Spring Fayre, which is set to return to Wellington Park on Sunday, May 4. Featuring musical entertainment, stallholders and an array of activities, the Fayre is a much-loved town event for all to enjoy.

Wellington Arts Association always has something on offer, whether it’s a travelling band at the arts centre, or a family-friendly pantomime at the Wellesley. Their next production invites an audience of all ages, with the much-loved musical School of Rock. Tickets can be bought online now at through the Wellington Arts Association website.

The up-and-coming retail store on Wellington’s High Street offers delicious pastries and sandwiches throughout the week. Visitors can enjoy a nice cup of coffee with a chocolate from their counter of delectable treats, or pass the time browsing their range of whole foods and organic produce. Many of the town’s social groups meet at this bustling cafe, which is testament to its relaxing atmosphere and fresh brews.

Wellington’s hugely successful Repair Café was founded in 2019 and has worked on more than 2,000 items in that time. Visitors can expect to find a solution to almost any of their troubled items, from moth hole darning to watch work and toaster tinkering. Local residents rely on it for a reason, and visitors are only encouraged to return, success or not, by the tea, WI cake, and community chatter on offer. The café runs four times a year, with its next opening likely to take place in May (official date TBC).

Wellington residents are awash for choice when it comes to sports and activities, but one that can often go amiss is yoga. To ease into your practice, The Zen Den offers accessible beginners classes across various town venues, and for those perhaps further along in their yogic journey, the Tonedale Mill resident instructor, Carmen Lee, is who to turn to.

While many may visit the town’s beloved cinema to watch the great box office releases, the Wellesley Cinema has much more to offer. From National Theatre Live performances, to screenings of London’s greatest musicals including Billy Elliot and SIX The Musical, you no longer have to leave the town to get a taste of the country’s greatest theatre productions. To find out more, visit wellington.merlincinemas.co.uk

Wellington has a number of book clubs to choose from, but newcomers can rely on the Wellington Book Group who meet every first Monday of the month, reading a range of genres and styles. For those with a penchant for nature writing, you are in good hands with Transition Town Wellington’s Bookworms, who are set to host the winner of the 2024 Wainwright Prize, Michael Malay for their next gathering.