Somerset: Escape to the country

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THIS MONTH WE VISIT... SOMERSET

Escape country to the

One of the largest counties in the country, Somerset boasts a wide range of beautiful landscapes to explore this autumn. From Arthurian legends and well-known attractions like Cheddar Gorge and Wells Cathedral to hidden sandy beaches and country pubs offering the finest local cider, there’s something for everyone to discover here.

The Bishop’s Palace

The Bishop’s Palace

Home to the Bishops of Bath and Wells for over 800 years, this enchanting medieval palace is not only surrounded by a moat (complete with resident swans who ring a bell when they want food!), but also has a flagstone drawbridge and portcullis for the ultimate grand entrance. Visitors can walk through a number of rooms within the palace to gain an understanding of how past bishops used to live, as well as explore the Great Hall and private Chapel. Outside, there are 14 stunning acres of RHS Partner gardens to wander, which include the well pools from which the city takes its name. Little ones will enjoy the ‘Dragon’s Lair’ play area in the arboretum.

The Roman Baths

Cheddar Gorge

Cheddar Gorge

England’s biggest gorge offers up one of the country’s most iconic vistas and is well worth seeing for yourself. Nestled in the Mendip Hills, this world-famous gorge was created around a million years ago during the last Ice Age, when water from melting glaciers formed a river that carved into the limestone rock. At almost 400 feet deep and three miles long, it’s a truly spectacular sight. Underground there are vast stalactite caverns, two of which are open to the public to tour. These are also the site where Britain’s oldest complete skeleton was found in 1903 – dubbed ‘the Cheddar Man’, it was estimated to be 9,000 years old.

Dunster Castle

Dunster Castle and Watermill

Sat dramatically atop a wooded hill offering breath-taking views over Exmoor and the Bristol Channel, the stunning Victorian country house of Dunster Castle has been the fortified home of the Luttrell family for 600 years. Inside you’ll find lavish interiors, including ornate plaster ceilings and a 17th century carved staircase. Outside there are terraced gardens with a collection of sub-tropical plants. At the entrance to the river gardens you’ll find the restored 18th century watermill. The watermill is fully operational – you can even buy the flour it produces.

Haynes International Motor Museum

A must-visit for automobile enthusiasts, this living and working museum is one of the county’s largest indoor attractions and houses over 400 cars and bikes. From the Dawn of Motoring to the new Williams F1 exhibition, there’s something for petrolheads of all ages. Whether Bentleys and Rolls Royces are your thing, or you prefer super cars like the Ferrari 360, you’re sure to find your favourite. Little ones are well catered for too, with fun exhibits showing them how a car works and activities such as Paint a Mini and brass rubbings.

The Roman Baths

One of the area’s most famous attractions, The Roman Baths sit on Britain’s only hot spring, which still flows with gloriously warm water >>

Glastonbury Abbey

>> today. Marvel at the magnificent temple and bathing complex where Romans would bathe nearly 2,000 years ago and explore the museum, which tells more about the lives of those who lived and worked here, as well as housing an impressive collection of 17,000 Roman coins recently discovered in nearby Beau Street. Costumed characters are on hand to tell the stories of past inhabitants, so you might meet a Roman slave girl, stonemasons or a travelling merchant while you wander! Audio guides are also included in the admission price, so you can wander at your leisure before enjoying a bite to eat in the 18th-century Pump Room.

Ham Hill Country Park

If you fancy somewhere for an autumnal stroll, you can’t do much better than Ham Hill Country Park. Boasting 164-hectares surrounding the Iron Age hill fort from which the park takes its name, there are a number of trails to choose from, many of which offer spectacular views over the South Somerset Moors, Exmoor and the Mendip Hills. Evidence has been uncovered that the hill fort here was one of the largest in the southwest and likely the centre of trade in the region. In later times, particularly during the Victorian era, the hill stone (known as Hamstone) was quarried extensively; the Houses of Parliament in London are fronted with Hamstone. The Prince of Wales Hotel sits atop the hill and is a wonderful stop for a lunch break.

Ham Hill

Glastonbury Abbey

Known as the earliest Christian foundation in the country and the burial place of King Arthur, Glastonbury Abbey is a legendary place in more ways than one. There has been a church on the site for at least 1500 years, although there is evidence of even earlier occupation. Once the richest monastery in England, the abbey was suppressed in 1539 during King Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries. Today it’s a tranquil site offering free tours and regular events such as concerts and exhibitions. A museum on site gives further information on the site’s history and showcases items from its life, while surrounding the abbey are 36 acres of beautiful parkland to wander.

Shepton Mallet Prison

Shepton Mallet Prison

This recently decommissioned Georgian jail offers informative guided tours and, for the brave, ghost tours. The prison’s rich history begins in 1646, where inmates were sentenced to hard labour. Following the second world war, it was used as a military prison and also for the storage of important historical documents, including the Domesday Book. Famous inmates include the Kray twins, and one inmate who still doesn’t appear to have left since the late 1700s. Tales of paranormal activity are frequent, with the most popular being that of the White Lady. Prison guards would complain of an icy wind blowing through A wing, along with shadowy figures and the smell of perfume. Tours promise an immersive experience, with little having changed here since the last prisoners left in 2013.