Sport and culture take centre stage in Taunton this week
Taunton’s calendar for the week of 20–26 August offers something for a wide range of tastes, from county cricket at the Cooper Associates County Ground to family-friendly theatre and children’s craft sessions. The programme brings together professional sport and community-focused events as the city winds down from the summer peak.
The headline fixture is Somerset men’s County Championship match against Essex, which runs from Thursday, 20 August, to Sunday, 23 August, with play starting at 11am each day. Tickets are available in advance through the Somerset County Cricket Club website and are priced to increase on the day of the match.
| Event | Date(s) | Time | Ticket details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset vs Essex (County Championship) | 20–23 Aug | Play starts 11:00 each day | Advance tickets at somersetcountycc.co.uk (prices rise on the day) |
| The Mushroom Show (Scratchworks Theatre) | 22 Aug | 2:00pm | Tickets £5–£10 at tauntonbrewhouse.co.uk |
| Slime-Making Workshop (Premier Princess Parties) | 26 Aug | 10:00–11:30am | Book at ticketsource.com |
County Championship: Somerset host Essex
Somerset resume their County Championship campaign at their Taunton home ground against Essex. The sides last met in April at Chelmsford, where Somerset recorded a 10-wicket victory. Craig Overton was a standout performer in that match, scoring a century and taking four wickets, including two early on day three. Somerset reached their fourth-innings target of 47 in under six overs on that occasion.
Fans planning to attend in person are advised to purchase tickets in advance via the county club’s fixtures page to avoid higher prices on match days. The presence of a full four-day County Championship fixture is an autumnal anchor for the town’s sporting supporters and local businesses that benefit from matchday trade.
Family theatre: The Mushroom Show at The Brewhouse
The Brewhouse’s Studio Theatre will host The Mushroom Show on Saturday 22 August at 2pm. The production, created by award-winning Scratchworks Theatre Company, blends science, music and interactive elements aimed at families. The story follows a character called Augustine Fogwoode and her puppet friend, Goldie, exploring fungi in a way intended to be entertaining and informative.
The show is supported by several arts organisations and received development funding from the University of Plymouth. Tickets are priced between £5 and £10 and can be purchased via the Brewhouse website.
Children’s activities: slime-making and hands-on fun
For younger visitors, Premier Princess Parties are running a slime-making workshop on Wednesday 26 August from 10am to 11:30am. The session invites children to make and personalise slime using charms, glitter and other sensory accessories. Attendees will receive a welcome drink on arrival. Tickets are available through TicketSource.
- Cricket fans: arrive early on match days and consider booking ahead to secure better ticket prices.
- Theatre-goers: The Mushroom Show offers a short, family-friendly run time and inexpensive ticket tiers.
- Families with young children: the slime workshop is a morning activity suited to hands-on play.
"Tickets can be purchased in advance... with prices increasing on the day," organisers advised for the County Championship fixture.
Whether you prefer the thrum of the cricket ground or a quieter afternoon of theatre and crafty fun with the children, Taunton’s week ahead brings a compact mix of events. For the latest ticket information and booking links, consult the venues’ official websites: somersetcountycc.co.uk, tauntonbrewhouse.co.uk and ticketsource.com.
