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1. Climb up Glastonbury Tor
Glastonbury Tor dominates the town of Glastonbury and is thought to be the fabled Isle of Avalon – rising above the flat landscape of the Somerset Levels – the reputed burial place of King Arthur, where his sword Excalibur was forged. The views from the summit are stunning in all directions – north to Wells, the Mendips and the Bristol Channel, east to Wiltshire, south to the Polden Hills and west to the Quantocks and Exmoor.
2. Marvel at the scale of nature’s sculpture beneath the earth
Some of Britain’s best show caves are to be found beneath the Mendips, including the renowned Wookey Hole. Twenty-five caverns have so far been discovered, with further exploration still ongoing. Only some of the caverns are open to the public as many are only accessible to experienced divers, submerged as they are beneath the waters of the river. Within those open to everyone there is a sound and light show to enhance the natural beauty of the rock formations, giving visitors a chance to truly marvel at the scale of nature’s sculpture beneath the earth.
3. Taste some real scrumpy cider
Somerset and cider go hand in hand – in fact no visit to the county would be complete without a trip to an orchard or cider farm. There are over 25 cider producers in Somerset, many of them small family businesses. Many of the orchards are attractions in their own right so make a little time to explore. Get out and about down the back lanes, take in the countryside that produces the apples and meet the people behind some of the best brews.
4. Take a dip in Bath
As a World Heritage Site Bath’s striking architecture – Roman baths (the only hot springs in Britain), majestic abbey and sweeping Georgian terraces – combines to produce one of the most elegant sights in Europe. Voted the most romantic building in Britain, the Roman Baths are probably the finest Roman remains in Britain. Now visitors can enjoy Bath’s rich history and also bathe in the natural thermal waters which were discovered by the Celts and Romans more than 2,000 years ago.
5. Scoot along to the Lambretta Museum
The Lambretta scooter is an Italian icon that had its heyday in Britain in the 1960s during the Mod era, probably best portrayed in the film Quadrophenia. A privately-owned museum, in of all places Weston Super Mare, contains the largest collection of Lambretta scooters in the world. This tiny museum is crammed with Lambretta memorabilia including posters, promotional material, sales leaflets, magazines, toys and models, as well as the famous scooters.
6. Wander around Dunster’s romantic castle
Dunster lies just inland from the lovely north Somerset coast and on the eastern edge of beautiful Exmoor. The winding high street and bustling market place are a treasure trove of historic buildings – with over 200 boasting Grade I or II listing – while towering over everything is Dunster’s romantic castle. You can wander around the Jacobean and Victorian interiors, or spend hours in the stunning terraced gardens that surround the castle, with their amazing collection of sub-tropical plants, plus the national collection of strawberry trees and Britain’s oldest lemon tree.
7. Cycle the Strawberry Line
This former railway line, now a traffic-free cycle route, takes its name from the tasty cargo it carried from the strawberry fields on the slopes of the Mendips near Cheddar. It passes through flat marshes and cider apple orchards around Yatton, steep wooded valleys and a tunnel under the Mendips, to historic Axbridge and the awe-inspiring Cheddar Gorge.
8. Picnic in the Quantocks
The Quantock Hills were the first place in England to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Here you will find wonderful views and discover picturesque villages. The best way to explore them is to take some of the many paths that criss-cross the hills through deep wooded valleys, known locally as ‘combes’, as well as open moorland. A favourite spot is Holford Combe, where you can sit and enjoy the surroundings or take a gentle walk up the combe. For the more energetic, there is a route up to the ridge path and onto Beacon Hill, where you can enjoy glorious views of the Bristol Channel, the Somerset Levels and Exmoor.
9. Take a trip down TV memory lane
This unique and quirky attraction provides the perfect destination for a family day out. The Montacute TV Radio and Toy Museum is probably the largest museum of its kind containing anything and everything from our best loved TV and radio shows. Whether you like Westerns, comedy programmes, detective series or soaps there is something for everyone leaving you smiling and reminiscing including hundreds of vintage wirelesses, transistors and televisions.
10. Walk the highest point on Exmoor
At over 500 metres Dunkery Beacon is the highest point in Somerset and Exmoor as well as in the whole of southern England, outside of Dartmoor. High ground on Exmoor has a long tradition of settlement and Dunkery Beacon is no exception. Cairns, tumuli and barrows abound on this lonely hill top. On a clear day it offers fantastic views of Exmoor, Dartmoor and across the Bristol Channel to Wales.
If this inspires you, why not browse our selection of holiday parks and caravan parks in Somerset, and see what catches your eye.
Bath Mill Lodge Retreat, a stunning five star destination just 3 miles from the World Heritage City of Bath.
Indulge and unwind in beautiful lodges packed with sumptuous...
Larkrise Farm Lodges is a boutique collection of two bedroom lodges overlooking the fields of a small working farm in rural Somerset. Larkrise Farm Lodges is the ideal location to escape...
Commanding picturesque views over the iconic Somerset Levels, these modern, well presented lodges have been carefully positioned in an exclusive development to provide guests with the...
Nestled on the slopes of the wonderful Mendip hills and offering magnificent views over the rolling Somerset countryside, this is the perfect place for families or couples looking for a...
Beautifully located amidst the glorious rolling Somerset countryside, Little Moorland Farm Lodges have been sympathetically designed with you in mind to create an indulgent...
Set on the beautiful Somerset coast, just yards from the fabulous dunes and sandy beaches of Berrow and Brean.
These luxurious lodges offer an ideal retreat with some boasting...
Windmill Retreat & Spa is part of our Daisy Door Cottage style Collection, a unique triumph of cutting-edge design and contemporary luxury, along with its state of the art Elements...
Mendip View at Wookey Hole is part of our exclusive Bouja Luxury Caravan Breaks Collection, boasting a superb setting in the grounds of the world-famous Wookey Hole Caves attraction,...
New Oaks Farm Lodges is part of our Autograph Lodge Holidays Collection, an exceptional cluster of boutique lodges enjoying a dreamy setting on a delightful working farm only 20...
Boasting panoramic views over the iconic Glastonbury Tor and idyllic Somerset countryside, these two luxurious, lovingly presented lodges each nestle in their own peaceful area on a...
Set in Blue Anchor Bay, surrounded by cliffs and glorious Somerset countryside, Blue Anchor boasts stunning panoramic views and access to the sandy beach and rock pools. Add in a leisure...
Exmoor Gate Lodges is part of our Wanderwood Lodge Holiday Collection, nestled on the edge of Exmoor National Park in a picturesque wooded valley teeming with wildlife and offering...
Superbly located next to Brean Sands and enjoying private access to the five miles of golden beaches, these superb modern caravans and lodges are perfect for the ultimate family seaside...
Set in 95 acres of parkland and just a few hundred yards from the beach and promenade Burnham combines a superb location with an excellent range of...
Set on the beautiful Somerset coast, just yards from the fabulous dunes and sandy beaches of Berrow and Brean, Sandy Glade unites a wonderful location with a host of family friendly...
Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa is part of our Go Active+ Breaks Collection, nestling on the slopes of the beautiful Mendip Hills and affording spectacular views of the Somerset countryside....
Ideally located just 5 minutes’ drive from the popular tourist destination of Weston-Super-Mare, Riverside Holiday Village sits in the greenbelt landscape of Bleadon and unites a...
A warm, West Country welcome awaits visitors to Doniford Bay! With direct access to a rocky shingle beach, fabulous facilities and a superb location for exploring, you have everything...
A lovely, small location with just seven Scandinavian log cabins set in 10 acres of pasture, woodland and orchards that carry stunning views of the surrounding countryside and...
A restful atmosphere and marvellous range of attractions and activities nearby make Lakeside a wonderful break at any time of year. Set in Somerset’s popular resort of...
Boasting a truly impressive range of facilities, it’s easy to see why Holiday Resort Unity remains a firm family favourite and with an outstanding programme of live entertainment...
Whipcott Water is part of our Autograph Lodge Holidays Collection. Commanding an idyllic setting on the Devon/Somerset border this small group of contemporary cottage style lodges is...