LET’S MOVE TO Ilminster

eep in the south Somerset countryside, the historic town of Ilminster lies just east of the River Isle, from which the first part of its name derives. The latter part can be traced to St Mary’s Church, still known to the town’s six thousand locals as Ham stone, with its warm honey tones, has been the go-to building material in Ilminster for centuries, lending the characteristic Georgian feel – though cheaper Moolham specked with seashells and fossils also features. A four-bedroom house in a popular central area such as Court Barton will cost an average of £325,000, according to estate agent Matthew Clark. For a two-bedroom cottage expect to shell out £200,000.