Somerset

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.