Castle Cary was mentioned in Domesday Book as “Cari” from the Celtic “creag” meaning rocky hill. An important Norman castle was built, around the beginning of the 12th century on Lodge Hill. The buiding is known to have been besieged twice during the reign of King Stephen and is believed to have been destroyed soon after the middle of the 12th century. In spite of this the name, Castle Cary, survived.
Cloth has been produced commercially in Castle Cary since at least the fourteenth century and horsehair weaving became the main industry during the 19th century. The Higher Flax Mills of John Boyd Textiles are still in production today. This is the last horse hair weaving factory in the UK and one of only two remaining in the world. Fabrics produced here includes reps, damasks and sateens. Damask from this factory was purchased by the King of Norway to cover chairs in the Royal Palace of Oslo.
Castle Cary is a vibrant, honey coloured market town, built of Ham stone from nearby quarries. Some of the buildings along the winding main street are still thatched. The Market House dominates the centre of town, and comprises of a museum, two former prison cells and an information centre. An exhibition in the museum features Parson Woodforde who lived close by in Ansford. His “Diary of a Country Parson” is said to be the classic description of English country life in the 18th century.
Another place worth visiting is the 1779 Round House on Bailey Hill, one of only four pepper pot lock-ups left in the country. These were temporary prisons for such offenders as drunks and truants. The 18th century Post Office is impressive as is the George Hotel is a 13th century coaching inn. The horse pond is unusual because the War Memorial is in the centre. It is fed from the nearby Park pond, the source of the River Cary.
The town has a good range of independent retailers, specialist shops and high quality grocers. It also has a thriving art gallery and several cafés and restaurants. The railway station is about a mile out of town and there is plenty of holiday accommodation in the area.