Visiting the county of Somerset, where aged monuments and stone bridges are commonplace, transports you into another time and place as it stretches along the coast of the Bristol Channel backed by a landscape of lush rolling hills and lakes and streams. View our selection of holiday cottages in Somerset today
Somerset offers more than your average holiday destination including parks and gardens as well as the historic sites and quaint villages with small, family-owned shops and traditional pubs. The major towns have startling architectural attractions including Cathedrals to add an additional slice of culture to your visit. In this article we explore some of the most popular Somerset entertainment and attractions.
Cheddar
Cheddar, with it’s famous caves and gorge is located in the Mendip hills, a area of outstanding natural beauty, loved by walkers, climbers and potholers, in fact anyone who appreciates wonderful scenery.
The gorge and the caves were formed over millions of years by water seeping through the cracks in the limestone hills, which have eventually widened out, forming tunnels and caverns. Visitors to the caves are amazed by the display of stalagmites and stalactites growing from the floor and the ceiling respectively.
Cheddar Gorge is the largest of its kind in Britain, sometimes reaching a mile in depth. If you are not up to a walk through the gorge an open top bus runs through in the summer and you will be given a tremendous view of the surrounding area which is known for its flora and fauna and birds of prey such as, falcons, kestrels, and buzzards.
A walk up the 274 steps of Jacob’s Ladder to the lookout tower is also reccomended as it offers excellent views of the Mendips and Somerset countryside.
In Cheddar village you will find the Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company where you can learn how the many varieties of cheddar cheese are made, and of course samples are available. Cheddar cheese, has been made here for over 800 years, and is still stored in the caves as they offer a suitable stable temperature and humidity, which is the perfect environment for the maturing of the cheese.
Cheddar is also close to the small market town of Axbridge, noted for its beautiful buildings, some of which date back to medieval times. Wells and Glastonbury are only a short distance away each having their own unique attractions.
With the resorts of Weston-Super-Mare and Burnham-on-Sea within easy reach, Cheddar offers a number of options for the visitor.
Glastonbury
Glastonbury is chiefly associated with myths and legends. It has a New Age image and, of course, is the venue of the annual Glastonbury Festival.
Legend has it that Glastonbury was the birthplace of Christianity in the Britain, and that the first church in Britain was built there 30 years after the death of Jesus to house the Holy Grail.
Another Glastonbury legend is related to that of King Arthur. It is believed that Glastonbury was in fact the legendary Isle of Avalon. Also that Lancelot made Glastonbury Abbey his retreat in penance after King Arthur died. King Arthur and Queen Gwenivere are also thought to have been buried nearby.
Glastonbury has many New Age and alternative shops, that feature books on magic and other associated topics. Close to the centre are the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey and the beautiful Chalice Well Gardens.
Local museums such as the Rural life museum that offers an insight into farming methods down the ages, the Lake Village Museum offering a view into village life during in the Iron Age, and the Peat Moors Centre, which full size replicas of three Iron Age Roundhouses all add to the attractions of Glastonbury.
Fantastic views can also be had from the summit of the Tor that dominates the skyline over Glastonbury.
City of Wells
Wells, the smallest city in England, is dominated by it’s magnificent cathedral, which dates back to 1180, though the Chapter House, the Cloisters and Vicar’s Close were built between the 13th and 15th centuries.
The cathedral plays host to numerous classical concerts during the year. Another major attraction is the Bishop’s Palace that dates back to the 13th century and is surrounded by a moat and beautiful gardens. Wells holds a thriving market every Wednesday and Saturday close to the entrance to the Bishop’s Palace.
Set at the foot of the Mendip Hills you are able to enjoy views across the Somerset levels from the Ebbor Gorge Nature reserve. Another nearby attraction are the Wookey Hole Caves. A guided tour is available through these fascinating limestone caves. But the attractions of Wells are not just for adults, children will enjoy hearing about the “Witch of Wookey”, and exploring the dinosaur theme park.
In the evening Wells offers a good range of pubs and restaurants and the Little Theatre that stages plays throughout the year and is also the home of the Wells Operatic Society.
Exmoor
Exmoor’s stunning landscape is divided between heather-strewn moorland, a dramatic coastline and secluded valleys and approximately two-thirds of Exmoor National Park actually lies in Somerset.
There are many charming villages along the coast but none more than the old fishing village of Porlock. The historic Dunster castle and subtropical gardens stand on the edge of Exmoor and offers fantastic views across the moor.
Exmoor provided the inspiration for R.D. Blackmore to write the novel Lorna Doone, and has even become known as “Doone Country”, the centre being the village of Oare. Coleridge also lived locally and wrote “Kubla Khan” and “The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner” here.
One of Exmoor’s few stone circles is close to the village of Withypool and comprises about 40 short stones. Just south of Withypool there are the ancient Tarr Steps, a bridge of stone slabs that crosses the River Barle and is one of the prettiest attractions in Exmoor.
The highest point of Exmoor National Park is Dunkery Beacon. At the summit you will find a huge cairn, tradition states that every person who reaches the summit should place a stone on the cairn, a trig point and a toposcope that points out details of the view. On a good day you can see the Mendips to the northeast, the Brecon Beacons to the north, and Dartmoor and Bodmin to the south, as well as the sea and the superb local scenery.
Exmoor has a wonderfully diverse wildlife. As well as Exmoor ponies, there are also red deer, and as dusk falls watch out for the bats and badgers. In the spring the bluebells form a carpet for the woodland glades, to be replaced in the autumn by shades of red and gold.
Bath
Every visitor to Somerset must visit Bath. This historic city was founded in the first century AD by the Romans who were obviously tempted so much by the warm spring waters that they based a town around them. Most of the other major attractions are easily reached on foot from the Roman Baths in the centre of the city. Book Bath Accommodation today!
Inside the 15th Century Bath Abbey there is a monument to Beau Nash, who was largely responsible for the towns revival in the 1700′s. Under his leadership Bath became the place to be. The famous Georgian architecture is a tribute to these prosperous times. The Royal Crescent and The Circus are probably the best known and loved of all Baths buildings, and can often be seen in pictures of the city.
The Jane Austen Centre can be found in Queens Square, commemorating Bath’s association with the world renowned writer. Bath also has connections with other historic figures such as Sir Issac Pitman, William Pitt, Gainsborough, and David Livingstone.
Bath is home to other interesting museums such as the Museum of Costumes, one of the world’s largest exhibitions of fashions dating back to mediaeval times. Paintings by Gainsborough, Turner, and Stubbs can be found in the Holbourne Museum and Crafts Study Centre.
Because Bath is a compact city it is quite easy to explore it on foot, but if you would find that too tiring, there are open top bus tours that visit all of the city’s major sights. If you have your own essential sights both in Bath and Somerset, why not submit a Travel Tip and share your favourite places with fellow travellers. Alternatively, consider reading our guide to holidays in Somerset or book Minehead Bed and Breakfast or Porlock Accommodation today.