Visit Somerset Guide 2019 by Tina Veater

2019

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE IN SOMERSET

WELCOME to the wonderful county of Somerset, which includes a World Heritage site, internationally important wetlands, a Jurassic Coast, three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a National Park. No wonder it is where Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest complete skeleton was found! What a place to settle. We really believe Somerset has everything and we cannot wait to share it with you, which is why we have produced this handy guide. Somerset is one of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest counties, yet it is far from the most densely populated. There is plenty of wide open space to explore where you can get away from it all. If it is not the fabulous countryside that interests you, it could be our culture and the history. Somerset, or Sumorsaete in Anglo-Saxon, was the centre of resistance to the Viking invasions many centuries ago that saw the beginning of the idea of a united England. It might be that it is the food and drink produced here that draws you, in which case you will not be disappointed in the county that gave us Cheddar Cheese and Cider. Perhaps you enjoy coming across quaint villages or watching rare British birds and mammals or it could be you have a taste for outdoor adventure? Whatever the ingredients for your perfect holiday, we think we have the recipe for some unforgettable experiences and great holiday memories. So turn the pages and take a look.

VISIT SOMERSET

| introduction

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

CONTENTS SOMERSET’S BEAUTIFUL COUNTRYSIDE

SOMERSET’S EXTENSIVE COAST

WHAT’S ON CALENDAR 2019

SOMERSET FOOD & DRINK

MAP OF SOMERSET

SO MUCH TO DO IN SOMERSET

SOMERSET’S CITIES AND TOWNS

SOMERSET’S HIDDEN TREASURES

HISTORIC SOMERSET

ACTIVE ADVENTURE IN SOMERSET

Published by: Visit Somerset (Community Interest Company 6936680)

Printed by: Warners Printers

Registered Office: Wookey Hole Caves, Wells, Somerset BA5 1BB

Photography: Ian Brodie, Liz Milner, Will Nicol, Michael Dearden, Holiday Resort Unity, Wookey Hole Caves, North Somerset District Council, Sedgemoor District Council, West Somerset Council, Warren Farm Holiday Centre, Pier, Weston Super Mare Pier, the Roman Baths

Contact: Visit Somerset, Wookey Hole Caves, Wells, Somerset BA5 1BB Tel: 01749 835416 Email: info@visitsomerset.co.uk Designed and produced by: Ignyte Ltd, Unit G5, Second Avenue, Westfield Trading Estate, Midsomer Norton, Somerset BA3 4BH Tel: 01761 410141 Website: www.ignyte-uk.co.uk



facebook.com/visitsomersetpage

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

Sales: Bridget McCombe and Michelle Akbiyik 01761 409837



twitter.com/VisitSomerset

contents | VISIT SOMERSET

SOMERSET’S

BEAUTIFUL COUNTRYSIDE THE MENDIPS

WEBBINGTON FARM HOLIDAY COTTAGES T: 07900 273 722 E: enquiries@webbingtonfarm.com W: www.webbingtonfarm.com A glorious selection of self catering converted barns sleeping 2 -7 (or groups of up to 30) within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Facilities include Party Barn, indoor hot tub, gardens and play area. Ideal for visiting Cheddar, Wookey, Wells, Glastonbury or the coast. Near to historic attractions and shopping. Perfect for walkers. Private river frontage for fishing. Short breaks as well as weekly letting. Open all year (minimum 2 night stay).

OLD MANOR HOUSE B&B Cross Lane, Cross, Axbridge, BS26 2ED T: 01934 709542 E: graham@oldmanorhouse.net W: www.oldmanorhouse.net This 400 year old ex-Coaching Inn offers you the modern facilities you would expect whilst still holding the charm and character of an old building. Our rooms can offer different layouts to suit all tastes (standard double, superking or twin), family rooms cater for either 3 or 4 guests. We cook your breakfast to order using locally sourced produce, and includes homemade bread and jams. Vegetarian, Gluten and Lactose-free options are available on request. A guest lounge is available for all to use which contains DVDs and toys for children of all ages to use. Prices £89 to £139 for doubles, £130 to £170 for family rooms.

VISIT SOMERSET

| beautiful countryside

With rich grasslands, ancient wooded combes, historic monuments, quaint villages and a complex of nature reserves, the Mendip Hills are full of mystery and adventure. You can explore the depths of these magnificent limestone hills by visiting the caves or you can seek out a vantage point at the top of this upland plateau for an incredible view of the iconic Somerset Levels and across the Bristol Channel to Wales.

ACACIA FARM CAMPING PARK Rooksbridge, Nr Axbridge BS26 2TA T: 01934 750 314 E: info@acaciafarmsomerset.co.uk W: www.acaciafarmsomerset.co.uk At the foot of the Mendips, Acacia Farm Campsite is a family-run, open, large grassy area campsite set in the heart of Somerset, close to Cheddar Gorge on the outskirts of a rural village of Rooksbridge. Facilities include, camping pitches, hard standings, electrical hook ups, wood cabin, yurt, toilets, washing up & fridge. Campfires and BBQs are allowed as are dogs in our 8 acre dog walking field. Close to beaches, attractions and outdoor pursuits.

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

The Mendip Hills have been providing food and shelter for people since the earliest days of settlement in this country and are still, slowly, giving up their secrets. Scientists recently reconstructed the head of Cheddar man, who lived here some 10,000 years ago and whose remains were found in Gough’s Cave at Cheddar. You can let your imagination run free in these hills with their stories graphically written in stone. There is the stone witch of Wookey Hole, the hymn-inspiring ‘Rock of Ages’ at Burrington Combe, St Michaels tower atop Glastonbury Tor and the wonderful dry stone walls that decorate the wind swept hills. From Britain’s highest inland limestone cliffs that form the world famous Cheddar Gorge, you can look down on the Vale of Avalon with its tales of Arthur and to the coast, visited, so legend has it, by Joseph of Arimathea. Joseph was a metal merchant and the hills were mined for lead until the last century. They are still quarried for stone and have more than 200 scheduled ancient monuments including prehistoric barrows and and WWII remains.

wookey resort-136x96:Layout 1 02/08/2018 12:41 Page 1

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

beautiful countryside | VISIT SOMERSET

“THE COUNTRYSIDE OF THE MENDIP HILLS AND VALLEYS HAS A NUMBER OF SITES OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST”

As well as being an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the countryside of the Mendip Hills has a number of Sites of Special Scientific Interest playing host to rare plants, butterflies and birds. There are wildflower meadows, orchid-filled fields and woods once tended by mediaeval monks. Where people have exploited the hills for mining or the valleys for reservoirs, the wildlife has also benefited. Somerset Wildlife Trust has a dozen reserves and can point to species that are only found here, while Chew Valley Lake is considered the third most important site in Britain for wintering wildfowl.

The Mendip Way is a 50 mile trek that takes you all the way from the fascinating hamlet of Uphill on the coast with its views across the Bristol Channel to the town of Frome dubbed by The Times as ‘one of the best places to live in Britain.’ Tracking along the high ground, which overlooks the Somerset Levels to the south and the Chew Valley to the north, the route dips down at times to include such gems as Cheddar and Axbridge, Wells and Wookey Hole. From the summit are tantalising glimpses of secret woodlands and sunken valleys.

RIVERLEA HOLIDAY BUNGALOW ‘Riverlea’ has a country location between Weston-super-Mare and Cheddar with private parking, level access and a garden at rear. One bedroom with twin beds and a large bed settee in the lounge. Bathroom/ shower. Please phone for a brochure.

Riverside, Banwell, Somerset, BS29 6EL Contact: Mrs J Keate T: +44 (0) 1934 820351 Open May to Sept. Sleeps 4 Weekly rate: £180 - £250

OAKLAND HOUSE Wells Road, Draycott, Nr Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3SU T/F: +44 (0) 1934 744195 E: enquiries@oakland-house.co.uk W: www.oakland-house.co.uk Set in rural Somerset with extensive country views and surroundings. Superb local facilities 2.5 miles from Cheddar and 7 miles from Wells. Brilliant base to explore the countryside, towns and attractions of this area. Open all year. Single: £45-50, Twin: £75-85, Double: £75-85, Family: £100-120

VISIT SOMERSET

| beautiful countryside

WELLS TOURING PARK Wells Touring Park, Haybridge, Wells, Somerset, BA5 1AJ T: 01749 676869 E: info@wellstouringpark.co.uk W: www.wellstouringpark.co.uk Award-winning 5* adults only touring site with the benefit of cottages and lodges in the heart of Somerset with unspoilt views of the Mendip Hills and Cheddar valley. Exceptional amenities, strong wifi and dog friendly. Open almost all year. Pricing from £21 a night.

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

THE BLACKDOWNS Some of the most popular tourist destinations in the world are backwaters – places where little has changed or is likely to. Here we can take time to reflect on the relative constancy of the natural landscape. One such place is the area around the Blackdown Hills, which in many ways is the archetypal English countryside with hedgerows, copses, farmland and narrow lanes. The villages are distinctive thanks to the use of local stone, tiles and thatch and many of the hamlets date back to mediaeval days. Among the smallest of the UK’s protected landscapes, the Blackdown Hills have a remarkable variety of habitats from heath and grasslands to wet woodlands and bogs. The steep banks are a riot of wildflowers in Spring and the hedgerows and woods are still home to the nationally scarce hazel dormice. Standing guard on the northern ridge of the hills is the world’s only three-sided obelisk, a monument to the Duke of Wellington.

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

beautiful countryside | VISIT SOMERSET

THE QUANTOCKS The first place in Britain to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty was the land on and around the Quantock Hills, which inspired the great poets of the Romantic Movement, Coleridge and Wordsworth, to pen some of their finest verses. The pair, accompanied by Wordsworth’s sister Dorothy, would explore the woods, rolling hills and coastal paths for hours and in many ways much of what they wondered at has not changed.

MILL FARM CARAVAN PARK Fiddington, Bridgwater, Somerset TA5 1JQ T: 01278 732286 W: www.millfarm.biz Friendly park with lots for children, making it the ideal family park. Located between the Quantock Hills and the sea. Near to Dunster, Cleeve Abbey, Porlock and Exmoor National Park. Seasonal Pitches & Caravan Storage available. HIRE: Trampolines, Canoes, Pool tables. FREE: Heated Swimming Pool and large water slide, Children’s Boating Lake, Swings and Slides, games room, BMX track, Hot showers, internet available on all pitches with club WiFi. ALSO: Hot take-away and shop during high season. Club with Entertainment, Meadow for Rallies. Pitch with electric From £18.00 per night.

VISIT SOMERSET

| beautiful countryside

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

As in the poets’ day, there is still wilderness, heathland and a rocky shoreline where you can lose yourself in thought. The mix of heath on the top is a characteristic of the Quantocks and includes heather, whortleberry, gorse, bracken and wavy-haired grass. There is woodland too, once prized as a source of timber for ship building and now by walkers for its tranquillity. The oaks here are Sessile with acorns that grow directly on the branch and twisted trunks. From the National Trust owned Coleridge Cottage, in the charming village of Nether Stowey, you can walk in the footsteps of the poet along the Coleridge Way as far as Lynmouth on Exmoor - with a small diversion to visit the hilly mound, which is all that remains of the Norman Stowey Castle. One of the highest spots in Somerset is Wills Neck from where you can see Exmoor, the Mendips, Blackdowns and across the Bristol Channel to Wales. Look out for wild ponies ! Below the summit lie steep wooded valleys, with streams at the bottom, full of birdsong and villages with manor houses and fine churches.

THE GARDEN RETREAT Spacious ground-floor apartment in idyllic rural location amid fields and views. Close to Quantocks and Hestercombe Gardens. Plentiful local walks and wildlife. Open all year.

Green End, Rowford, Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton, TA2 8JY Contact: Mrs Liz Thompson T: +44 (0) 1823 451529 E: info@gardenretreat.co.uk W: www.gardenretreat.co.uk

Nightly Rate: £85-£100. Min stay: 3 nights / 5 nights during high season

ARDEN COTTAGE Bed and Breakfast LOWER MARSH FARM Kingston Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 8AB Contact: Jill and Richard Gothard T: +44 (0) 1823 451331 E: richard@lowermarshfarm.co.uk W: www.lowermarshfarm.co.uk Charming and well-equipped bedrooms await you in this family-run country farmhouse. 1 mile from Taunton town centre. Nr. Hestercombe gardens. Free Wi-fi. Open all year. Single from £55.00, twin from £85.00, double from £85.00, family from £90.00.

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

T: 01984 631449/07749 402309 E: enquiries@arden-cottage-williton.co.uk W: www.arden-cottage-williton.co.uk A delightful medieval cottage set in the bustling village of Williton which nestles between The Exmoor National Park and The Quantock Hills. An ideal base for a holiday for walkers and tourists. 3 double/king rooms, guest sitting room with smart TV, Wifi, Delicious AGA cooked breakfast using local produce and a selection of home made preserves. A very large garden and parking. From £80 per night.

beautiful countryside | VISIT SOMERSET

The hills received their protected status in the 1950s and now accommodate up to half a million visitors a year, mainly from people who live in sight of them but also from those who have travelled to experience the beautiful and varied landscape. It is hugely valued, especially as a educational and recreational resource. The varied landscape holds a distinctive character that includes a broad range of wildlife, as well as many historical and cultural elements that make this part of the world truly fascinating. Bird watchers and wildlife spotters will particularly enjoy the diverse landscape. You can find buzzards and wild red deer throughout the area and the woodlands are home to a variety of animals and insects, including adders, emperor moths and several species of butterfly. It is the perfect place to go for a stroll and immerse yourself in nature. Perhaps you’ll be inspired to write a verse or two yourself.

SOUTH CLEEVE BUNGALOW Taunton, Somerset, TA3 7PR Contact: John Manning T: +44 (0) 1823 601378 E: enquiries@timbertopbungalows.co.uk W: www.timbertopbungalows.co.uk A superbly presented 3 bedroom bungalow situated in the Blackdown Hills, an area of outstanding natural beauty. It has been fully equipped to a high standard to make it the perfect home from home. We also have a games room. Open all year. Sleeps: 6. Weekly Rate: Low season from £200 High season from £650.

VISIT SOMERSET

| beautiful countryside

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

SOMERSET LEVELS At the heart of Somerset, giving the county its name, are the internationally important Levels and Moors. Among the lowest, flattest areas in the UK, they were once covered by sea, apart from the curious mumps and mounds that rose above them as islands. Somerset is therefore ‘the land of the summer people’, as the rich grazing pastures of the Levels were only accessible in the drier months.

BEST WESTERN SHRUBBERY HOTEL Station Road, Ilminster, Somerset, TA19 9AR T: +44 (0) 1460 52108 E: simon@shrubberyhotel.com W: www.shrubberyhotel.com Situated in Ilminster, near Tautin, in the heart of Somerset, with a private terrace the Hotel overlooks Herne Hill Nature Reserve. Bars. Restaurants. Free Wifi. Golf nearby. Pets accepted. Meeting & Conference facilities. Wedding Venue. Large parking area with suitable parking for coaches (10) car rallies (70) or motorcycle groups (100+). Rooms from £80 per room per night B&B / £99 per room per night DBB.

To reach the grasslands from the ‘islands’, prehistoric people built raised wooden tracks, of which there is still evidence today. The most famous is the Sweet Track at Shapwick. The Romans tried managing the Levels but did not have as much success as the monks of Glastonbury. Dutch engineers eventually drained them in the 17th century, but thankfully not until after King Alfred had used the marshes to escape the Vikings or English history might have taken a different turn. Still farmed and used for growing willow, the wetlands attract huge numbers of wading birds including the re-introduced Common Crane.

THORNEY LAKES C&C PARK WESTHILL FARM CARAVAN PARK East Huntspill, Nr Burnham on Sea, TA9 3PX T: +44 (0) 1278 786 326 E: info@westhillfarmcaravanpark.co.uk W: www.westhillfarmcaravanpark.co.uk 46 privately-owned static pitches alongside 10 seasonal touring pitches with additional casual touring pitches overlooking the River Brue with views to the Somerset Levels, Cheddar Gorge, The Mendips & Glastonbury Tor. Owners live on site along with 3 friendly donkeys, pigs, sheep, cows and chickens. Small laundry, showers & toilets, electric hook up and wifi. Open mid-February to mid-January.

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

Muchelney, Langport, Somerset, TA10 0DW Contact: Sally, Richard & Ann England T: +44 (0) 1458 250811 E: info@thorneylakes.co.uk W: www.thorneylakes.co.uk 1 mile from historic village of Muchelney on Somerset Moors and Levels. Parking in cider orchard, own fishing lakes, walks around conservation winning farm. Toilet block, free hot showers. 36 electric hook-ups. Open 23rd March - 1st November. Camping/caravan pitch: £15 - £20 (2 people), Camping pitches: 36, Caravan pitches: 36.

beautiful countryside | VISIT SOMERSET

EXMOOR One of Britain’s smallest National Parks, Exmoor packs a remarkable array of contrasting landscapes into its designated area. We go from remote moorland and stunning sea cliffs to steep wooded valleys and racing streams in a matter of miles. Antiquities, such as stone circles and barrows, abound, as do rare plants and animals like whitebeam trees, red deer and Exmoor ponies. The towns and villages too are steeped in history.

The moorland that makes up a quarter of the National Park and so much of its character is the result of centuries of grazing. Its colour, which at times is spectacular, comes from the heather, gorse and grasses. It is a habitat fast disappearing and so it is all the more important that it is protected. The other part of the Park’s name comes from the largest of its eight rivers, the Exe. If agriculture is one of the architects of this unique landscape, with its patchwork of fields, farmsteads and distinctive beech hedge banks, then the Exe is another.

WOODCOMBE LODGES & COTTAGES Bratton Lane, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 8SQ Contact: Nicola Hanson T: +44 (0) 1643 702789 E: woodcombelodges@outlook.com W: www.woodcombelodges.co.uk

EXMOOR VIEW Green Close, Wootton Courtenay, Nr. Dunster, Exmoor National Park, Somerset TA24 8RA Contact: Mrs C Turner T: +44 (0) 1643 841482 E: carole.greenclose@virgin.net W: www.exmoorview.co.uk Lovely spacious cottage furnished and equipped to the highest standard. Nestling on the edge of this pretty village, it has breathtaking panoramic views of beautiful Exmoor. An ideal base for exploring Exmoor’s spectacular coast and countryside or just relaxing in a haven of peace and tranquillity. A ‘paradise’ for walkers, birdwatchers and wildlife lovers - badgers visit most evenings to be fed! Prices include all electricity and heating. No pets. Open all year. Weekly Rate from £395 Units: 1 Sleep: 2

VISIT SOMERSET

| beautiful countryside

Beautiful rural setting overlooking the slopes of Exmoor. On a quiet country lane 5 minutes from the town of Minehead with its shops, pubs, restaurants and seafront. Just eight self-catering lodges and cottages set in 3 acres of gardens with fabulous views sleeping 2, 4, 6 and up to 10 in Holly Lodge. Full Week Rate: from £295 to £1695. Short Breaks Rate (Oct to May): from £225 to £675, 3 night weekend or 4 night mid-week break. 5% discount for bookings nine months in advance. Units: 8, Sleeps: 2 - 10 Disabled Access Level M2

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

With rivers such important features of Exmoor, it is not surprising that bridges are significant landmarks. Most famous is a clapper bridge across the Barle, Tarr Steps. Clapper means a pile of stones and legend has it they were placed there by the Devil, so that he could sunbathe. In nearby Dulverton, the mediaeval Barle Bridge has five stone arches. The colourfully named Robbers Bridge harks back to a time when there were bandits and is in a valley that inspired the writer of Lorna Doone, RD Blackmore. Just one of the many people who has shaped the history of this extraordinary place.

Rocky shores, wide open spaces and natural beauty make Exmoor a magnet for the adventurous. You can try wild swimming, coasteering, riding, foraging, falconry, trail-walking or even a food safari. You can admire Britain’s highest sea cliffs, its most extensive broadleaved coastal woods and its tallest tree. You can see plants that are found nowhere else. At the end of a busy day, you can gaze up at the stars as you are in Europe’s first Dark Skies Reserve or you can visit one of the many pubs and restaurants to sample the local produce including oysters and trout.

PEMBROKE COTTAGE

Wheddon Cross, Exmoor National Park, Somerset TA24 7EX T: 01643 841550 E: info@pembrokecottageexmoor.co.uk W: www.pembrokecottageexmoor.co.uk Beautiful peaceful cottage in the heart of Exmoor National Park sleeping 5 in 3 bedrooms. Fully equipped, a perfect base for families, couples or walkers. Wonderful views. Open from 1st March to early January. Short breaks available. Sorry no pets. Weekly rates from £305 to £645.

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

beautiful countryside | VISIT SOMERSET

SOMERSET’S

EXTENSIVE COAST SURPRISES Somerset’s coast is full of surprises. Perhaps the biggest is that it’s actually the shore of Britain’s longest river, the Severn. That is why some in Somerset call the Bristol Channel, on which we look out when we visit our coast, ‘The Severn Sea’. As a sea and an estuary, it is a mix of salty and fresh water and a vital feeding place for huge numbers of fish and wildfowl.

WALTON HOUSE



Silver Award - Breakfast Award 148 Berrow Road, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, TA8 2PN T: +44 (0) 1278 780034 E: waltonhousebnb@gmail.com W: waltonhousebnb.co.uk Two miles from junction 22 of the M5, close to The Burnham and Berrow Championship Golf Course. We have ample off street parking. Ideally situated for visiting Somerset’s many attractions.

TIMBERTOP APARTHOTEL 8 Victoria Park, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, BS23 2HZ T: 01934 623737 / 07837 630423 E: Timbertop.wsm@outlook.com W: www.timbertopwsm.co.uk Timbertop is just a 5 minute walk from the town centre and 100 metres from the seafront and its array of restaurants; an ideal location for commuting, shopping and culture. Suites, apartments and double rooms available, all rooms are en suite with access to guest kitchens and lounges. The apartments are fully self-catering. Perfect for company lets, teams of contractors or business consultants. Free onsite car parking & complimentary Wi-Fi - discounts for booking direct.

VISIT SOMERSET

| extensive coast

From £30 per person per night based on two people sharing. Single Room £40.00 per night

LITTLE WALTON  148 Berrow Rd, Burnham on Sea, Somerset, TA8 2PN T: +44 (0) 1278 780034 E: waltonhousebnb@gmail.com W: waltonhousebnb.co.uk All you need for a self catering holiday for up to 4 people. Electric, gas, bed linen, towels included in the rental. Sorry no pets. Weekly Rate: £270 - £520

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

THE ROYAL HOTEL

• • • • • • • • • • • •

3 Star Seafront Hotel Shopping Centre 200 Metres Themed Luxury Rooms A la Carte Restaurant Late Licenced Bars & Bar Menu Wine Bar Entertainment Friday Nights Special Offers & Breaks Beauty Room & Hair Salon Solarium Electric Car Charging Station Ample Coach & Car Parking

Weston-super-Mare

T. 01934 423100 www.royalhotelweston.com www.visitsomerset.co.uk

| VISIT SOMERSET

The variety of coastal landscape in Somerset is truly remarkable, from rock pavements to sand dunes and from wooded cliffs to mudflats. There are geological and wildlife wonders for the scientifically minded, seaside resorts for those seeking entertainment, fishing and sailing for the sports fans, coasteering for the adventurous and long-distance trails for the energetic. This coast has something for everyone, even the fourlegged members of the family as it has numerous dog-friendly beaches. It has all you’d expect from a sea-side: lighthouses, rock pools, fossils, ice cream parlours, piers, a ship-wreck and then it has more in the form of the rare plants and birds that thrive in this environment. What adds to the fascination of this coast for many is that it has the second highest tidal range in the world, which means that you can visit a resort one day when the water is lapping the shore and come back the next when you can hardly see the sea.

YEW TREE HOUSE

STODDENS FARM COTTAGES 191 Stoddens Rd, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, TA8 2DE Contact: Ruth Chambers T: +44 (0) 7896 886051 E: info@stoddensfarmcottages.com W: www.stoddensfarmcottages.com Stoddens Farm Cottages are located in a Grade II listed barn conversion on the outskirts of Burnham-on-Sea. The cottages are full of character and each contains spacious and comfortable accommodation for 4 people (1 twin and 1 double bedroom). Each cottage benefits from a large private garden with stunning views over the Somerset Levels. Open all year. Weekly Rate: £245 - £455 Units: 2 Sleeps: 1 - 4



VISIT SOMERSET

| extensive coast

Hurn Lane, Berrow nr Brean, Burnham-on-Sea, TA8 2QT Contact: Anne Fox T: +44 (0) 1278 751382 E: yewtree@yewtree-house.co.uk W: www.yewtree-house.co.uk We are on a quiet country lane within walking distance of the beach. Close to Junction 22 of the M5. Spacious en-suite first and ground floor rooms. Full English, Continental, or Vegetarian breakfast. Free wifi in the house. Private car parking. For best rates book online on our website or directly. Single: £45 - £60 Double: £65 - £90 Twin: £70 - £80 Family: £85 - £150.

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

We will start our exploration of the Somerset coast in Exmoor where it boasts the oldest rocks and highest cliffs. These can be found on the county boundary with Devon at Glenthorne, a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of its Devonian Sandstone cliffs. The pebble beach below was part of a country estate and you can still see a ruined boathouse, a trout pool and lime kilns. It is reached by a steep, wooded, fern-lined walk. The spectacular drive across the moor eastwards from the border, with the Bristol Channel on your left, takes you down one of the steepest hills on a main road in England and inland to the picturesque village of Porlock with its 13th century church. A mile to the west down a road lined with pretty thatched cottages is Porlock Weir. There is a small harbour, shingle beach, salt marsh and views east to Bossington Beach and Hurlstone Point. Porlock had a reputation for the quality of its oysters in the mid-19th century. In the last five years the trade has been re-introduced and once again fine Porlock oysters are appearing on restaurant menus.

WEST END FARM West End Farm Caravan and Camping Park, Locking, Weston-super-Mare, BS24 8RH Contact: Robin Nation T: +44 (0) 1934 822529 E: robin@westendfarm.org West End Farm is situated close to the M5 motorway yet in a quiet position. It is set in ten acres and offers a true country setting, with 80 touring pitches available, of which 30 are fully serviced. All serviced pitches benefit from having hard standings. A separate field caters for 30 tents. The site is open all year round and has tarmac roadways. There are two toilet/shower blocks, one of which is heated in the winter. Both have laundry, dishwashing and hairdryer facilities. Wifi available. Seasonal pitches are available with winter storage available. There is also a games field and dog walking area. With good transport links, cycle tracks and footpaths, this park provides a base from which to explore this fascinating area.

A family run park by our family for your family Tel: 01278 795006 info@retreatcaravanpark.co.uk • Holiday lodges & caravans for sale • Beachside location • Outdoor play area • Nearby attractions • Free park Wi-Fi • Pets welcome

The seafront is just two miles away, Hutton Moor Leisure complex just one mile, and the Helicopter Museum is just a short stroll away, as are the two local pubs. Daily Rate: camping/caravan pitch: £17.00 - £25.00 Caravan pitches: 80 Camping pitches: 80

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

www.retreatcaravanpark.co.uk extensive coast | VISIT SOMERSET

The seaside town of Minehead is dominated by the magnificent wooded North Hill. From the summit of which you can look back towards the sea cliffs of Exmoor. It was a popular holiday resort, even before the Victorians made the idea fashionable, because of its superb setting and the reputed healing power of sea air. Many of the elements that made up a classic British seaside holiday are still here: the beach for sandcastles and rock pooling; the gardens for relaxation and bandstand for entertainment. They have been joined by new cafes and eating places, as

well as activity centres, for more energetic ways of enjoying the coast, such as kayaking and paddle boarding. A walk along the sea front towards North Hill takes you to the harbour and past a sculpted pair of hands holding a map as a graphic indication that this is the starting point for the UK’s longest, long distance country walk, the ‘South West Coast Path’. This stretches all the way round the tip of England to Poole in Dorset. Alternatively you can carry on along the Somerset coast as far as Brean Down on the England Coast Path.

Hoburne Blue Anchor. It’s never been a better time to get away from it all.

With Hoburne, you can enjoy the latest range of luxury caravans and lodges and if you choose to buy you can take advantage of our fantastic offer:

2019 site fees included plus one years free insurance*. Right next to the beach and nestled between the Quantocks and Exmoor, Hoburne Blue Anchor Holiday Park in Somerset offers a quiet escape for everyone. Or if you don’t want to venture too far, you can enjoy the onpark facilities or just relax in your new Hoburne Holiday Home.

HOLIDAY HOME OWNERSHIP Model featured Atlas Image with full size decking £74,995†

To request a brochure or book a park visit 01643 888248 hoburneblueanchor.com Hoburne Blue Anchor, Blue Anchor Bay, Nr Minehead, Somerset, TA24 6JT. Open 7 days a week 9am-6pm. From a family owned business since 1912. *Terms and conditions apply. †Decking subject to pitch. 2019 site fees to 30th November 2019. HOLIDAY HOME OWNERSHIP

VISIT SOMERSET | extensive coast Visit_Somerset_Blue_Anchor_ad_136x96_03_08.indd

www.visitsomerset.co.uk 03/09/2018 15:53

“A WALK ALONG THE SEAFRONT TOWARDS NORTH HILL TAKES YOU TO THE HARBOUR AND PAST A SCULPTED PAIR OF HANDS”

Minehead is also the start of the superb West Somerset Railway - the longest heritage railway in England - with its historic steam locomotives, ten beautifully kept stations and 20 miles of track. For the early miles, it chugs along the coast and the first stop is Dunster whose fairytale castle looks down from the hilltop. Dunster has a fascinating beach with the River Avill cascading onto the pebbles and sand. You can walk from the station to the beach or in the opposite direction along the river to the village, one of the largest and most intact mediaeval villages in England.

ELLENBOROUGH HALL

LEWINSDALE LODGE

Holiday Flats, 15 Ellenborough Park North, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, BS23 1XQ

5-7 Clevedon Road, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset BS23 1DA Contact: Carol and Des Chalmers T: +44 (0) 1934 632501 E: info@lewinsdalelodge.co.uk W: www.lewinsdalelodge.co.uk

T: +44 (0) 1934 629543 E: jennifer.orme@btinternet.com W: www.ellenboroughhallholidayflats.co.uk One bedroom ground floor and two bedroom first floor flats, fully equipped, very clean holiday flats. WiFi available. Off road parking. Large garden. Adjacent to park. Close to seafront and town centre. All on one level. No pets. No smoking. Sleeps 2-6. High season (June-Sept): £350 per week, Mid season (Oct, March-May): £295 per week, Low season (Nov-Feb): £215 per week.

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

Great location just off seafront opposite Tropicana. Level walk to shops, restaurants and parks. All bedrooms ensuite with 5 ground floor rooms with walk-in showers. Small onsite car park. Closed Xmas and New Year. Double or Twin: £82-£90 includes breakfast Ground floor family garden room £105.00 (1 Child) 10% Discount for 5 days stay or more. Accredited by Visit Weston/Love Weston

extensive coast | VISIT SOMERSET

VISIT SOMERSET

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

JMW Turner painted Blue Anchor Bay, which is noted for the alabaster and fossils found in its cliffs. Its sweeping sandy bay is framed by Minehead’s North Hill at one end and dramatic blue lias cliffs the other. It is popular with anglers, dog walkers and photographers for its sunsets. At low tide you can walk to neighbouring Watchet, also painted by Turner. An ancient port that once had its own mint, this town is crammed with quaint houses and shops; two museums, a Holy Well and a sculpture of Coleridge’s ‘Ancient Mariner’.

PRIMROSE HILL HOLIDAYS Wood Lane, Blue Anchor, Minehead, Somerset TA24 6LA T: +44 (0) 1643 821200 E: info@primrosehillholidays.co.uk W: www.primrosehillholidays.co.uk Four self-catering bungalows with private gardens and amazing sea views nestling between Exmoor National Park and The Quantock Hills. Within walking distance of picturesque Blue Anchor Bay with its sandy beach, cafe and pubs and within the sight and sound of the West Somerset Steam Railway. Games room, ample parking. Ideally situated to access the South West Coast Path, the newly extended England Coast Path and the Coleridge Way. Fully wheelchair accessible. Well behaved dogs welcome. Perfect for walking, biking and sightseeing ...or just sitting and relaxing! 2019 prices £440.00 to £690.00 per week.

10 Month Season Choice of Pitches New & Pre-Owned Models available Finance Available* Fully Managed Letting Service Guaranteed Income Scheme Exclusive Events Discount Card *Subject to Status

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

Holidays that never end... There has never been a better time

to purchase a Holiday Home in Somerset

Sandy Glade Holiday Park

and Sandy Meadows Lodge Park

Berrow, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset TA8 2QX sandyglade-sales@jfhols.co.uk

www.holidayhome4me.co.uk

Call 01278 751271 to book your appointment

Choose from

Caravans & Luxury Lodge

Holiday Homes

extensive coast | VISIT SOMERSET

The cliffs between Blue Anchor and Hinkley Point are from the Triassic and Jurassic periods and the striking features of this stretch are the ‘pavements’ spreading out from the base of the cliffs across the beach. The best places to see them are St Audries where there is a magical waterfall plunging towards them, Lilstock and Kilve are well-known for their splendid ammonite fossils. One of the country’s largest new wetland reserves lies to the east of Hinkley Point, created by the Environment Agency to defend villages inland as sea levels rise. Managed by The Wildfowl and Wetland Trust (WWT), Steart Marshes have the added benefit

of providing rare saltmarsh habitat and attracting wildlife. Since its completion, avocets have bred on the reserve and it has been visited by glossy ibis, spoonbill and ringed plover. Water voles and otters are resident, as are the cattle and sheep that graze there. A network of paths lead you round the reserve, to the River Parrett and Combwich village.

Fantastic Seaside Park In Lovely Somerset Park Amenities

MARTYNDALE

7 Royal Crescent, Weston Super Mare, BS23 2AX SUITES www.martyndalesuites.co.uk T: 0333 666 7490 / 07847 034360 E: admin@martyndalesuites.co.uk 7 self-catering Apartments in the most beautiful Grade 2 listed regency building, sleeping 2 to 6 in a stunning central but quiet location. 100 yards to the beach, 8 mins walk to the pier, 3 mins walk to the theatre. Some with gardens, balconies or 2 bathrooms, dogs allowed in some by arrangement. Available by the week or for short breaks. Open all year.

• Large Heated Outdoor Swimming Pool • Licenced Bar with Sun Patio • Fantastic Shower & Toilet Facilities • Free Hot Water & Showers • Disabled Toilet & Shower • Children’s Play Area • Games Room • Laundry Room • Dishwashing Room

ST AUDRIES BAY West Quantoxhead, Minehead, TA44DY T: 01984 632515 (reception) E: info@staudriesbay.co.uk W: www.staudriesbay.co.uk Situated on the stunning Somerset Coastline, St Audries has been offering holidays since 1933. Still family owned and operated, St Audries is set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with amazing views and beach access. Open from Easter to October. Bed and Breakfast £27 - £40 per person per night. Self Catering from £155.00 for a two bedroom caravan. Camping from £21 per pitch per night.

VISIT SOMERSET

| extensive coast

TEL: 01934 627595 www.cvhp.co.uk

Sand Road, Sand Bay, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset BS22 9UJ

SEASONAL TOURING PITCH’S AVAILABLE • HOLIDAY HOMES FOR SALE www.visitsomerset.co.uk

“THE CLIFFS BETWEEN BLUE ANCHOR AND HINKLEY POINT ARE FROM THE TRIASSIC AND JURASSIC PERIODS.”

FATIMA 18 Conway Crescent, Burnham-on-Sea, TA8 2SL Contact: Annie Teresa Podesta T: 01278 793658 M: 07881 990482 E: teresa.podesta@talk21.com W: www.burnhambungalow.co.uk 2 bedroom luxury bungalow with en-suite shower. Wheelchair access. Fully modern equipped kitchen/diner. Lounge with TV & DVD. Central heating. Private patio with furniture. Linen, electricity, gas included. Towels for hire. Parking space available for 3 cars. Sorry no pets. Open all year.

There’s more to explore in Weston-super-Mare

Weekly: £270 - £520 Weekend: £180 - £300 Sleeps: 4

SEAFARERS APARTMENTS 12 Victoria Park, Weston super Mare, North Somerset, BS23 2HZ T: 01934 623737 / 07837630423 E: Seafarers.wsm@outlook.com W: www.seafarerswsm.co.uk Seafarers is just a 5 minute walk from the town centre and 100 metres from the seafront and its array of restaurants; an ideal location for commuting, shopping and culture. Choice of 3 apartments – Studio, Top Floor 1 Bedroom Apartment with Sea Views & A Larger Split Level 1 Bedroom Annex. Fully furnished and equipped for self-catering. Perfect for consultants on business & couples looking for a romantic break. Free onsite car parking & complimentary Wi-Fi – discount for booking direct.

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

Year Round Events

Family Fun & Attractions

Beach & Lawns

Explore the West Country

visit-westonsupermare.com

The official website for Weston-super-Mare Visitor Information Centre The Tropicana, Marine Parade, WsM, BS23 1BE Tel: 01934 88 88 77

VisitWeston

extensive coast | VISIT SOMERSET

The character of the coast changes completely around the mouth of the river Parrett with the rocky cliffs and shingle giving way to sand flats that run all the way to the promontory that is Brean Down. Sand naturally attracts holiday makers especially those keen to wield a bucket and spade, which is one of the reasons for the popularity of the resorts and parks here. The three Bs - Burnham, Berrow and Brean - are famed for their miles of sand, ideal for walking, running, riding, angling, kite-flying and picnicing.

GREEN CHANTRY

A charming Victorian cottage sitting under the gaze of St Dubricius Church. Furnished in coordinating pretty fabrics with polished wooden floors and richly coloured rugs, it is the perfect place to unwind! Open all year - Special offers for Christmas/New Year.

HOPE FARM COTTAGES Brean Road, Lympsham, Nr. Weston-super-Mare, BS24 0HA Contact: Malcolm & Aline Bennett T: +44 (0) 1934 750506 E: hopefarmcottages@gmail.com W: www.hopefarmcottages.co.uk Four high-quality multi-award winning ground floor cottages each sleeping up to 4. Fully equipped. Children’s Playground. Beach: 2 miles. Excellent pubs and restaurants nearby. Wheelchair accessible. Dogs welcome. Come for peace and tranquility. Open all year. Weekly Rate: £310 - £765 Weekend Rate: £210 - £535

VISIT SOMERSET

| extensive coast

The Drang, Porlock, Somerset TA24 8LB Contact: Margaret Payton T: +44 (0) 1823 698330 E: maggie_payton@hotmail.com Weekly rate: £200 - £420 Unit 1 Short break: from £100 Sleeps 4

HUNTINGBALL LODGE Blue Anchor, Minehead, TA24 6JP Contact: Brian and Kim Hall T: +44 (0) 1984 640076 E: info@huntingball-lodge.co.uk W: www.huntingball-lodge.co.uk Quiet country house with spectacular views over coastline and Exmoor. Luxurious, spacious apartments each with large private patio or roof terrace. Beach and amenities within easy walk. Weekly Rate: Min £360 Max £650 Units: 3 / Sleeps: 3 - 5

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

In the heart of Exmoor Country

Burrowhayes Farm Caravan & Camping Site & Riding Stables

A select family site and a walkers paradise in a delightful National Trust setting. Sites for touring caravans, tents and motorhomes. Caravan holiday homes for hire.

www.burrowhayes.co.uk West Luccombe, Porlock, Minehead, Somerset TA24 8HT • T:01643 862463 info@burrowhayes.co.uk www.visitsomerset.co.uk

The Victorian love affair with the seaside turned what had been a small fishing village, Weston, into a thriving resort especially after the arrival of the railway. During the construction of the railway, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who was supervising it, lived in Weston. He has left his mark on a number of bridges and buildings in the county. Today, Westonsuper-Mare is known for its visit from Banksy, Sand Sculptures, Air Festival and SeaQuarium. Weston has not one but two piers. Birnbeck sadly is closed now, but the magnificent Grand Pier is deservedly one of the UK’s leading visitor attractions. North of Weston is another natural vantage point, Sand Point, owned by the National Trust and overlooking the locals’ secret, Sand Bay. As at Brean Down, it is possible here to tick off quite a few species on the Nature I-spy list, from sea birds to skylarks and butterflies to wild flowers. If Burnham has the shortest pier and Weston the grandest, then according to the poet John Betjeman, Clevedon has the most beautiful in Britain. More recent fans were the members of the band, One Direction, who made a video there. Formed from discarded wrought iron lines from Brunel’s railway, the 48 foot high pier has been lovingly restored as centrepiece to Clevedon’s elegant Victorian sea front.

extensive coast | VISIT SOMERSET

somersets coaster advert 136x96 aug18

Our journey along the Somerset Coast ends at Portishead, which gave its name to a rock band from nearby Bristol. A happy blend of old and new, this former fishing port has a Victorian High Street and a modern marina complemented by glorious planting. From the cliffs of Exmoor to the outskirts of Bristol, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve encountered holiday resorts and secluded coves, rocky shores and sand dunes. All are accessible from the England Coast Path which will PRINT.pdf 1 04/09/2018 12:51 one day track round the whole of the UK.

1 Sand Bay

Birnbeck Pier

Weston-super-Mare

Grand Pier Uphill

Brean Berrow Burnham-on-Sea

Lympsham

Somersetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

not all journeys are open top

VISIT SOMERSET

| extensive coast

firstgroup.com/somersetscoaster

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

Barrington Court When you come to enjoy nature’s beauty, it helps us look after historic gardens in Somerset When you visit the National Trust your support helps us to look after special places in Somerset such as Tyntesﬁeld, Montacute House, Coleridge Cottage, Lytes Cary Manor, Prior Park Landscape Garden, Dunster Castle, Tintinhull Garden, Brean Down and more for ever, for everyone. nationaltrust.org.uk/somerset

Photography: ©National Trust Images/James Dobson © National Trust 2018. National Trust is an independent registered charity, number 205846

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

#nationaltrust | VISIT SOMERSET

WHAT’S ON IN SOMERSET

ALl YEAR

FUn at

Discover our farm and domestic animals, follow our

JANUARY 2019 17th : Sheppy’s Cider Wassail, Bradford on Tone 17th : Wassailing night, Dunster 19th : Wassailing at Avalon Orchard, Glastonbury 26th & 27th : Somerset Vintage and Classic Tractor Show, Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet

FEBRUARY 2019 12th : Sir Ranulph Fiennes at Westlands, Yeovil

MARCH 2019 1st & 2nd : Bath Art Fair, Bath Pavillion

woodland trail

16th & 17th : West of England Game Fair, Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet

then relax & refuel in our café

31st : Yeovil Half Marathon

ferneanimalsanctuary.org

APRIL 2019

Wambrook, Chard, Somerset TA20 3DH tel: 01460 65214

7th : Taunton Marathon 22nd : Mells Daffodil Festival, Mells

Charity No.1164350

VISIT SOMERSET

| what’s on

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

MAY 2019

JUNE 2019

TBC : The Bath Festival

8th : Cricket World Cup match at Somerset County Cricket Club

6th : North Somerset Show, Wraxall

12th : Cricket World Cup match at Somerset County Cricket Club

10th to 19th : Wedmore Arts Festival 11th : Somerset Day, events across the county 24th to 27th : Dunster Festival

14th to 16th June : Top of the Gorge Festival, Cheddar Gorge

27th to 2nd : Whitsun at Wookey Hole

15th : Somerfest, Taunton

29th to 1st June : Bath and West Show, Shepton Mallet

15th & 16th : Wessex Truck Show, Yeovil Showground 17th : Cricket World Cup match at Somerset County Cricket Club 22nd & 23rd : Weston-super-Mare Air Festival 26th to 30th : Glastonbury Festival 30th : Bike Bath at the Rec, Bath

JULY 2019 5th to 14th : Frome Festival 13th : Yeovilton Air Day 20th : Godney Gathering, Glastonbury 20th & 21st : Yeovil Show 26th to 28th : Farmfest, Bruton

AUGUST 2019 3rd & 4th : The Steam and Vintage Rally, Norton Fitzwarren

A CELEBRATION OF

GREAT BRITISH AGRICULTURE ENTERTAINMENT FOOD & DRINK

4th : Porlock Country Fair, Porlock 8th â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 11th : Bristol Balloon Fiesta 16th : Dunster Show 18th : Mid Somerset Show, Shepton Mallet 31st : Truckfest at the Bath and West Showground

Sites of Somerset See history come alive at Cleeve Abbey, Muchelney Abbey and Farleigh Hungerford Castle.

whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on | VISIT SOMERSET

www.visitsomerset.co.uk NCG

MKTG

WeST

W-SC415

SiTeS oF So

SEPTEMBER 2019

OCTOBER 2019

1st : Truckfest at the Bath and West Showground

5th : Ilminster Carnival

13th - 22nd : Jane Austen Festival, Bath

12th : Chard Carnival

14th : Frome Agricultural & Cheese Show

18th - 19th : Weston-super-Mare Beach Race

21st : Frome Carnival

19th : Taunton Carnival

21st to 6th Oct : Somerset Art Week Festival 28th : Wellington Carnival

NOVEMBER 2019 2nd : Bridgwater Carnival 4th : Burnham-on-Sea Carnival 8th : Weston-super-Mare Carnival 9th : North Petherton Carnival 13th : Shepton Mallet Carnival 15th : Wells Illuminated Carnival 16th : Glastonbury Carnival 18th : Midsomer Norton Carnival

DECEMBER 2019 6th & 7th : Dunster by Candlelight

#CWC19

THE CRICKET WORLD CUP IS COMING...

ARE YOU IN? cricketworldcup.com

VISIT SOMERSET

| whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

SOMERSET

FOOD & DRINK OUR SPECIALITIES Say ‘Somerset’ and most people think of Cheddar cheese, so it is fitting that the world’s oldest surviving makers of it should be based here. To go with it, we make the perfect accompaniment, cider. These are not the only treats to sample on a foodie tour of the county, which could take in oysters from Exmoor, strawberries from Cheddar, Trout from the Quantocks and of course a Somerset Cream Tea.

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

food & drink | VISIT SOMERSET

Somersetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rich soil and gentle climate are ideal for cider-making. We drink more cider in the UK than anywhere else in the world and it is good to see the orchards returning to Somerset, after many disappeared during a dip in the drinkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s popularity a few decades ago. The first recorded mention of cider presses as a source of income here is in 1230 in a Royal Charter, granted to the Bishop of Bath - even though we know the Romans grew apples in Britain. Today we have a refreshing mix of farms that have been making cider for generations and new young businesses; large concerns selling internationally and tiny orchards using community presses. There is something special about sampling a product where it is made. Myrtle Farm, at the foot of the Mendips, is where the Thatcher family has been making cider for more than 100 years and is a perfect day out. Torre Cider at Washford has a tea room and orchard walks. Going together like strawberries and cream are cider and cheese. Where better to sample it than in its birthplace? The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company is

the only producer of Cheddar left in the village. Its cheese, maturing in Goughâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cave, is a memorable sight. Cheddar strawberries were the first to ripen on mainland Britain and had their own goods train to take them to Covent Garden Market in London. It is still possible to find them locally and well worth the effort. Recently added to Somerset menus are Porlock Bay oysters, Exmoor Caviar, Newton House Gin from Yeovil and farmed trout.

VISIT SOMERSET

| food & drink

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

“GOING TOGETHER LIKE STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM ARE CIDER AND CHEESE”

The joy of exploring rural Somerset is that you will come across award-winning restaurants using local produce from within a few miles; ice-cream makers happy to show you how it’s made and farm shops overflowing with fresh meat and vegetables. If you don’t find your way out of town to these, some of them will come to you in the form of the farmers’ markets held regularly across the county. A growing trend are the food and drink festivals, which feature in the calendar of many of our towns and villages.

Welcome to our Cider Shop. Thatchers Cider Company, Myrtle Farm, Sandford, Somerset, BS25 5RA Visit: www.thatcherscider.co.uk/visit us Tel:01934 822862

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

food & drink | VISIT SOMERSET

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

VISIT SOMERSET

| regional map

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

regional map | VISIT SOMERSET

SYMBOLS

These are the symbols you’ll find in adverts and sometimes on the properties you visit.

Key To Symbols Used In Advertisements Ground floor bedrooms Welcome Host Hospitality Training Children welcome (a number following states minimum age) Children’s playground Dogs accepted by prior arrangement Stabling available Heated indoor swimming pool Heated outdoor swimming pool Lounge for residents’ use Parking on site (a number following states max number of car spaces) Credit cards accepted Evening meal by arrangement Local produce served

Working farm Licensed Accessible by public transport Pub within 1 mile Lift Electricity/gas coin meter Gas/electric fire Internet connection available (wireless or otherwise) Tumble dryer Linen provided Ironing facilities Automatic washing machine Dishwasher Off season Short Breaks available Freezer Microwave Flush toilets Fishing Satellite Television

Electric hookup Gas cylinder exchange or refill Showers on site Motor caravans welcome Food shop Vegetarian Non-smoking Babies & children welcome TVs in all rooms Garden Golf Course nearby Manor House nearby Four poster bed available Cafe Telephone on site Safe available Tennis court nearby Gym Wheelchair access Horse riding

Please be aware that all prices and information on advertisements were correct at the time of going to press and the publishers responsibility any errors. You also check12:48 and confirm all details with the excelcannot pressaccept ad 136x96 yellow for PRINT.pdf 1 should 04/09/2018 accommodation providers at time of enquiry/booking, as these may be subject to change without notice.

from

Congresbury

Bristol

Yatton

Weston-in-Gordano Flax Bourton

Claverham

Cleved

Pill Portishead

Weston-super-Mare

Abbots Leig

Cribbs Causeway

Nailsea

Long Ashton Wraxall

Backwell

Portbury

Failand

North Somerset & Bristol

Worle

North End

buses connecting

firstgroup.com/excel 36

VISIT SOMERSET

| dog friendly

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

DOG FRIENDLY SOMERSET

Somerset is one of the best places in the UK to take dogs with you on holiday. Not only is there so much open space but there are miles and miles of public rights of way. As well as the long distance trails like the Coleridge Way or the England Coast Path, there are plenty of beaches where dogs can run free or circular walks that take in dog-friendly pubs. There are cafes with special doggy menus, blankets and drinks. There are also many dog friendly accommodation providers across the county.

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

dog friendly | VISIT SOMERSET

SO MUCH TO DO IN SOMERSET

Haynes 1/2 Page Ad.indd |1 VISITA5SOMERSET

so much to do

11/01/2018 13:44 www.visitsomerset.co.uk

ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES W ES

RS ET

RA Y WA IL

Just as the landscape of the county is full of variety, the list of things you can do here in your leisure time is seemingly endless and diverse. If art is your thing then we have galleries in even the smallest towns, while if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s adventure you are after we have natural thrills and hi-tech attractions. There are country pursuits and country houses; city museums and city spas.

West Somerset Railway

20 miles of steam train travel through the countryside to the coast from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead.

10% oďŹ&#x20AC; tickets when purchased in advance through our website. For more information visit us at

www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk or call: 01643 704996 www.visitsomerset.co.uk

so much to do | VISIT SOMERSET

Walk through nearly 350 million years of history. Wander up to the highest, inland limestone cliff formation and explore two of the oldest showcaves in Britain.

Book online and save up to 15% 40

VISIT SOMERSET

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

Somerset has some of the largest curated collections in the UK. These range from cars exhibited at Haynes International Motor Museum at Sparkford to Naval Aircraft at the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton. At the other end of the scale, we have a museum dedicated to the bricks and tiles for which Bridgwater was once famous and the tiny King John’s Hunting Lodge, which is a Tudor house in Axbridge crammed with local artefacts. Appropriately, there is a Boat Museum in the old port of Watchet; a Willows and Wetlands Centre on the Levels; a Fashion Museum in Bath; a Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury and The Somerset Museum in the County town, Taunton. What might be more surprising is that there is a museum about coal mining in Radstock, one about flight in Chard and one about America in Bath – you will have to visit them to find out why! Collections can be out doors as well as under a roof and Somerset has numerous fine gardens open to the public, some of which have collections of rare plants such as The Walled Garden of Cannington. There are also collections of rare animals at the South-West’s largest zoo, Noah’s Ark at Wraxall.

Koala Creek COMING SPRING 2019

More than 450 years of history. Over 1,000 incredible animals. Immerse yourself in the astonishing kingdom of Longleat. The UK’s original safari park.

Book online and save up to 15% www.visitsomerset.co.uk

so much to do | VISIT SOMERSET

Fashion foragers Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to the

Over 90 designer and high street brands with up to 60% off, in the heart of Somerset.

VISIT SOMERSET

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

Somerset and Exmoor have their fair share of castles, country houses, hill forts and ancient monuments. Outside London and Norfolk, Somerset has more Grade 1 Listed Buildings than any other county. Many of our most special buildings and landmarks are looked after for us by the National Trust, ensuring they are not lost and can be enjoyed by all. Some are in the care of English Heritage, such as the magnificent Muchelney Abbey, while others like Glastonbury Abbey are managed by Trusts. Some are still habitable, for example Dunster, while others are no more than ruins, albeit beautiful ones. Glorious architecture and fabulous grounds create atmosphere, so a number of our notable grand houses have featured in films and TV dramas which makes them doubly interesting to visit. Scenes from ‘Poldark’ were shot in Wells and for ‘Wolf Hall’ the stunning Elizabethan Montacute House became Greenwich Palace, just to mention two. These historic treasures provide for great days out as they usually have cafes, shops and special exhibitions. There are exceptional gardens too – East Lambrook was created by plants woman Margery Fish; Tintinhull’s Pool Garden, in memory of a war-time fighter pilot and Hestercombe has the signature of Gertrude Jekyll.

GET ALL STEAMED UP AT THE AVON VALLEY RAILWAY

visit us in Glastonbury

Kids Go FREE! Up to 4 children receive free entry with a paying adult/concession

Steam or Diesel trains operate: Saturday & Sunday and selected Wednesdays April to September (except the first Saturday of each month) PLUS: Sundays in October and Tuesday to Thursday during school summer and half term holidays

Tel: 0117 932 5538 www.avonvalleyrailway.org Bitton Railway Station, Bath Road, Bitton, Bristol BS30 6HD

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

Please hand this advert in at reception to claim your discount. Only one voucher per transaction. May not be used in conjunction with any other offers. Offer ends 31 Dec 2019 Code: Visit

so much to do | VISIT SOMERSET

“TRADITION HAS IT THAT HERE LIES THE HOLY GRAIL BROUGHT BY JESUS’S UNCLE, JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA. THE CAULDRON AND THE GRAIL WERE BOTH THE OBJECT OF QUESTS FOR KING ARTHUR AND HIS KNIGHTS.”

Enjoying the wealth of wildlife for which Somerset is well-known is easier than ever for even the most novice nature lovers because of the reserves dotted all over the coast and countryside. Run by a variety of organisations, they’re full of information and laid out with hides and viewpoints to give visitors the best chance of seeing the species for which each one is best known. There are wetlands, woodlands, reed beds and breeding grounds. The Avalon Marshes on the Somerset Levels is an internationally important area for wildlife, where you can watch starling murmurations and listen to booming bitterns.

VISIT SOMERSET

| so much to do

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

Naturalist and broadcaster, Stephen Moss, has described the reserve of Avalon Marshes on the Somerset Levels as one of the best places in the country to see wildlife. Thanks to events organised there, you don’t have to wander out alone unsure what you’re likely to see (although of course you can !). These days there are tractor rides, bird box making, pond dipping and guided walks. Elsewhere on the Moors there are Wildlife Safaris, which take you off the beaten track in search of red deer and other rarities. Somerset is the only area still producing willow commercially. One way to understand the versatility of this amazing tree is to book onto a course at one of the farms where the young shoots are grown. They are used to make all manner of goods from chairs and baskets to fences and coffins. You can also take tours and learn about the part willow has played in the county and the country’s history. When it comes to making things our county has a proud tradition of crafts, particularly rural ones, and just how many little art studios and galleries there are becomes obvious during Somerset Arts Weeks and the Ten Parishes Festivals.

wookey advert-136x96:Layout 1 02/08/2018 12:40 Page 1

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

so much to do | VISIT SOMERSET

The performing arts are often a feature in rural areas where communities have traditionally made their own entertainment. These range from touring shows to festivals and carnivals. Bridgwater was the first town in the country to have an arts centre funded by the Arts Council and also has an accessible community media centre run by Somerset Film, known as The Engine Room. Black Swan Arts is a popular arts venue for the creative people of Frome and beyond, while in Glastonbury the Red Brick Building, in a former sheepskin factory is set on becoming a pioneering centre for community arts, design and education. A day after Jimi Hendrix died in 1970, the Glastonbury Festival was born and is now a five day celebration of music, dance, comedy, theatre, circus and more, that is known the world over. Music of all kinds can be found in the county, which is home to the only residential centre in the world, which concentrates on Englandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s folk heritage at Halsway Manor in the Quantocks. Every couple of years Wedmore hosts hundreds of local people who work alongside professional singers, players and designers to create a new production of an opera.

A family day out on a Somerset Safari

Only 6 miles

www.noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk

from Bristol 46

VISIT SOMERSET

| so much to do

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

For those who come away to be pampered there are plenty of spas. In Bath they have been using the waters to make people feel good since Roman times. In many holiday resorts and hotels they are installing the latest in plunge pools and experience showers while offering new treatments. For those whose holiday is not complete without a mosey around shops, which they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find at home, Somersetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s towns and villages have numerous independent retailers, particularly the artisan and craft-based. Towns like Frome, Langport and Bruton are known for their unusual shops whilst Street and Shepton Mallet have outlet shopping.

WHERE ADVENTURES BEGIN Pioneering naval flight since 1909

Book online and save at fleetairarm.com www.visitsomerset.co.uk

so much to do | VISIT SOMERSET

Among the most magical of our natural wonders are the glistening, glacier-like formations, created in caves from the action of water on limestone. We are lucky enough to have show caves at Cheddar and Wookey Hole. Wookey Hole has the largest underground dome in the UK, a labyrinth of chambers, and the legend of a witch. Gough’s Cave in Cheddar has chambers known as St Paul’s Cathedral and Solomon’s Temple, as well as a ‘Black Cat’. There are big cats of the real variety at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm. In fact there are animals from alpacas to zebras, and everything in between, at this award-winning hands-on zoo and working farm. On Exmoor, the Owl & Hawk Centre has a large collection of owls and birds of prey that you can watch being flown. Near Crewkerne is the South West Deer Rescue Centre, where you can have a rare close-up view of these timid creatures. One brilliant way to see the countryside and the coast is to catch a steam train at one of the smart little stations along the 20-mile track of the UK’s longest heritage railway. The historic steam locomotives, coaches and wagons of the West Somerset Railway are a joy to behold.

400 million years of history FREE ENTRY Within the 12th-century walls of Taunton’s historic castle you’ll find contemporary gallery spaces and a great day out for all the family Historic castle

Nine galleries

Family fun

Castle Café

Open Tuesday to Saturday 10.00 am to 5.00 pm Taunton Castle TA1 4AA 01823 255088

museumofsomerset.org.uk

VISIT SOMERSET

| so much to do

Charity No. 1158791

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

The Royal Bath & West Show is one of the oldest surviving agricultural shows in England and is the only one lasting four days. You can meet local food and drink producers and be royally entertained with fun fairs, show jumping and sheep shearing. If you miss it there are other shows around the county. The greatest show of all has to be the Somerset Guy Fawkes Carnivals with the biggest, in Bridgwater, running for a staggering two miles, lasting two hours and featuring illuminated carts. It finishes with the unique ‘squibbing’ (hand held fireworks). Burnham, Glastonbury, North Petherton, Shepton Mallet, Wells and Weston-super-Mare have them too.

FREE

R O VEER OV

0EESS,, 4 D I D R I R

ADMISSION ADMISSION you only pay if you ride!

S N NSS TIO ION AAC C CTTEIO R TTTR NTTSS RA A A EV ATTTD VEN

ND E A AN

OPEN APRIL - NOVEMBER 2019 HOME HOME OF OF

R OU TY O EC V T DIR T NA SA

m fro ns 22 mi 10 M5, J

www.breanthemepark.co.uk SAT NAV TA8 2QY

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

so much to do | VISIT SOMERSET

Glenda Spooner Farm

VISIT SOMERSET

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

SOMERSET’S

CITIES & TOWNS BATH Known around the world for its remarkably preserved Roman Baths and Georgian splendour, Bath is the only UK city to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The restorative quality of the hot springs, that bubble up naturally, has been recognised since the earliest of times and still draws visitors in their droves today. The city is packed with places to eat, drink, shop and dream of days gone by.

BY DAY OR NIGHT COME RAIN OR SHINE...

Relax in the warm, mineral-rich waters of Bath’s natural thermal Spa. Open daily from 09.00 – 21.30 01225 33 1234 www.ThermaeBathSpa.com

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

cities & towns | VISIT SOMERSET

See spectacular exhibitions and browse the outstanding collection of paintings, sculptures and decorative arts. Near Pulteney Bridge, Bath Book online at victoriagal.org.uk 01225 477233

One of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading collections of historic and fashionable dress. Book online at fashionmuseum.co.uk 01225 477789 24-hour information 01225 477867

VISIT SOMERSET

| cities & towns

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

At the heart of Bath stands the remains of one of the finest spas of the ancient world. See the ruins of the temple of Sulis Minerva, visit the bath house where Romans bathed and walk on 2,000-year-old Roman pavements. Book online at romanbaths.co.uk 01225 477785 / 24-hour information 01225 477867 www.visitsomerset.co.uk

| VISIT SOMERSET

Water is everywhere you look in Bath, whether it is in the spectacular rooftop pool of Thermae Bath Spa or the River Avon flowing under the wonderful Pulteney Bridge, with the shops on top of it and weir below. Another rare and beautiful bridge can be found over the calming waters in Prior Park Landscape Gardens away from the bustle of the city. No visit to Bath would be complete without a look inside the imposing Bath Abbey, with its high vaulted ceiling, or a reminder that one of our greatest novelists, Jane Austen, who once lived in the city. The elegance, for which her era is remembered, is still all around you when you stand in front of the Georgian townhouses of The Royal Crescent or The Circus. One of Bathâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest houses was home to another famous female resident, Sally Lunn, who created the first Bath bun, the recipe for which is still used there today. Surrounded by such sumptuous architecture it might seem a tall order to match it with modern buildings. Bath has been successful in melding the old with the new, so that you can walk along streets of shops and the transition can feel seamless.

VISIT SOMERSET

| cities & towns

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

DUNSTER There are delights at every turn in Dunster, whether it be the castle on the hill with its magnificent stables or the packhorse bridge and working watermill. It is hardly surprising that in one of the most intact mediaeval villages in Britain there is so much to explore. Hidden gems are around every corner such as the Prior’s Dovecote, Tithe Barn and a church containing the longest rood screen in the country.

YARN MARKET HOTEL High Street, Dunster, Exmoor National Park, TA24 6SF T: +44 (0) 1643 821425 E: hotel@yarnmarkethotel.co.uk W: www.yarnmarkethotel.co.uk A friendly, family-run 28 bedroom hotel centrally located in the medieval village of Dunster, providing a true “get-away-from-it-all” break. Close by is Dunster Castle and Water Mill, also the West Somerset Steam Railway. The hotel has dog-friendly rooms and excellent facilities for walkers, cyclists and groups. Restaurant open daily for light lunches, coffees and evening meals.

Dunster Castle, Add some colourGardens to and Working your weekendWatermill this Perched high with wide sweeping views, autumn Gibside Dunster Castleat offers fine interiors, an

imposing staircase and a Mediterraneaninspired terrace garden. You can visit a Go crunching through fallen leaves and discover a forest working or just playwith onwalking the lawn. teeming withwatermill wildlife and autumn colours, routes and south abilities. east of Minehead Find for usall2ages miles Call 01643 821314 for details nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside nationaltrust.org.uk/dunster-castle When you donate, volunteer or joinTrust, the your National When you visit,visit, donate, volunteer or join the National support to look after special <in the region> <like places Trust, helps yourussupport helps usplaces to look after special property X, property Y and Proeprty Z> in for ever, for everyone. for ever, for everyone.

©National National Trust 2018. The National Trust is an © Trust 2016. The National Trust is an independent independent registered number © National Trust registered charity, number 205846.charity, Photography 205846. Photography © National Trust Images. Images.

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

#nationaltrust #nationaltrust

cities & towns | VISIT SOMERSET

YEOVIL Known as ‘Ivell’ in Thomas Hardy’s Wessex, Yeovil is mentioned in the Domesday Book. It is a country town at heart, surrounded by beautiful countryside. An important centre for the leather industry in the 19th century, Yeovil is famous for its glove-making, with its football club nick-named the Glovers, and for making helicopters. It has numerous shops, a country park, theatre and entertainment centre.

THE MASONS ARMS 41 Lower Odcombe, Odcombe, Yeovil, Somerset, BA22 8TX T/F: +44 (0) 1935 862591 E: info@masonsarmsodcombe.co.uk W: www.masonsarmsodcombe.co.uk

A picture postcard pub locally renowned for our freshly prepared meals and microbrewery. Our rooms are luxurious, our campsite secluded and the welcome warm! 1 Bed Holiday Cottage & Shepherd’s Hut also available. Open all year. Single: £68 Double/twin: £78 (single occ) Double/twin: £98 Family: £120 (3) £130 (4)

VISIT SOMERSET

| cities & towns

CHURCH FARM BARN Church Farm Barn, Podimore, Yeovil, Somerset, BA22 8JE T: 01935 840221 E: stay@podimoremilton.co.uk W: www.podimoremilton.co.uk A beautiful barn conversion with many original features along with modern facilities. Ideal for weekend breaks for couples and families alike. Two beautiful en-suite rooms both with seating areas and quality furniture, you can simply relax and soak up your surroundings. Church Farm Barn lies only one mile from the A303 and A37, and is ideally situated for visiting our many local attractions.

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

TAUNTON As befits a county town, Taunton is steeped in history and has much to entertain our visitors. The superb Somerset Museum in the remnants of the castle to the Cricket Ground and Race Course. A centre for Arts and Culture, it has shops, cafes, restaurants, riverside walks, Vivary Park and a weekly Farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Market.

www.the-castle-hotel.com l 01823 272671 î ˘e Castle Hotel l Castle Green l Taunton l Somerset www.visitsomerset.co.uk

cities & towns | VISIT SOMERSET

WELLS It may be England’s smallest city but Wells certainly packs a punch when it comes to things for people to marvel at. It is named after the springs or wells that bubble up in the grounds of the beautiful, moated Bishop’s Palace, where swans ring a bell every day to be fed. It has one of Britain’s oldest clocks in its remarkable cathedral and the oldest surviving residential street in Europe.

WELLS CATHEDRAL Discover the ‘most poetic of the English Cathedrals’ and medieval Vicars’ Close in the heart of England’s smallest city.

BEST WESTERN PLUS SWAN HOTEL

•

Sadler St, Wells, Somerset BA5 2RX T: +44 (0) 1749 836300 E: info@swanhotelwells.co.uk W: www.swanhotelwells.co.uk 600 year old historic hotel directly facing the magnificent west front of Wells Cathedral with a seated terrace area adjoining the Cathedral Green. 49 recently restored bedrooms, a luxurious suite and self contained apartments. Superb central location with award-winning food. Open all year. Single £104 - £116, Twin £140 - £152, Double £140 - £152, Family £242.

•

FREE guided tours (Mon-Sat), no booking required Pre-bookable High Parts Tours; discover behind-the scenes hidden spaces at height! Family self-guided discovery trails and holiday workshops Shops and café serving locally-sourced products

•

Regular series of concerts and free lunchtime recitals

• •

VISIT SOMERSET

| cities & towns

Open daily - donations are welcome on entry.

www.wellscathedral.org.uk 01749 674483

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

WELLS, GLASTONBURY & STREET

Find your happy place..

The town of Glastonbury, watched over by its magical Tor, has been inhabited since Neolithic times. Dominated by the ruins of its 7th century Abbey, it is a place of myth and legend – and pop festivals ! Nearby Street is known for Clarks, the shoe makers, whose factory buildings have been converted to form Clarks Village, the UK’s first purpose-built factory outlet.

...at The Bishop's Palace, Wells 14 acres of stunning, RHS Partner gardens Medieval Palace Dragon's Lair Play Area & Snack Bar Cafe & Shop Free guided tours Adjacent to Wells Cathedral & High St

www.bishopspalace.org.uk www.visitsomerset.co.uk

THE MIDDLEWICK T: +44 (0) 1458 832 351 E: hello@themiddlewick.co.uk W: www.themiddlewick.co.uk Accommodation, Farm shop and Events Venue at the base of Glastonbury Tor. Cottages, Cabins and Glamping Pods set within 16 acres of orchards, animal paddocks and gardens. Sleeps from 1 to 52 people across 26 bedrooms. Indoor Swimming Pool, Group Room. Dog Friendly. Rates start from £70 per night.

cities & towns | VISIT SOMERSET

SOMERSET’S

HIDDEN TREASURES SECRETS One of the larger English counties and yet far from the most densely populated, Somerset has so many surprises waiting to be unwrapped by the inquisitive visitor. Even those who live here can be taken aback to discover some of its gems; wildflower meadows, beach waterfalls, ancient wells, unique carvings and underground reservoirs. Then there are the well-known landmarks which, despite seeming all too familiar, have secrets of their own.

GREYFIELD FARM COTTAGES

PEAR TREE COTTAGES

Greyfield Farm, The Gug, High Littleton, Somerset BS39 6YQ T: +44 (0) 1761 471132 E: june@greyfieldfarm.com W: www.greyfieldfarm.com

Pear Tree Farm, Stoughton Cross, Wedmore, Somerset BS28 4QR

Located in a peaceful setting close to Bath, Bristol & Wells overlooking the Mendip Hills. Five stone Self Catering and Serviced Holiday cottages with own garden/patio, centrally heated, fully equipped, Facilities include Hot Tub, Free Wi-Fi, Finish Sauna, Mini-Gym, BBQ Hut, Boules Court etc. Available All Year Round. Cottages from £81 - £163 per night / from £329 - £545 per week. High Season from £128 - £248 per night / from £536 - £843 per week

VISIT SOMERSET

| hidden treasures

Contact: Penny Denbee T: +44 (0) 1934 712243 E: info@peartree-cottages.co.uk W: www.peartree-cottages.co.uk Set on a working farm in the heart of beautiful countryside, the two luxury self-catering cottages combine both traditional and modern features. Spacious, light and airy with private south-facing patio areas for relaxing. Enjoy walking or cycling over the Mendip Hills or Somerset Levels. Explore Cheddar, Wells, Bath, Glastonbury and Weston-super-Mare. Open all year. Weekly Rate: Min £370 / Max £880 Units: 2 Sleeps: 2-5 (plus cot)

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

There are plenty of secret gardens hidden in the heart of Somerset. One, Kilver Court near Shepton Mallet, was created more than 100 years ago by Ernest Jardine. He was a progressive industrialist, who wanted to give his workforce inspirational working conditions. You can wander through the rockeries, past the millpond and herbaceous borders for a truly peaceful day out. Another surprising garden is much more recent - designed by internationally renowned landscape architect Piet Oudolf, this oasis sits behind the Hauser and Wirth Gallery in Bruton. As well as gardens there are stunning parks, many of them quite tucked away. Some form an oasis in a busy city while others are local nature reserves. Look out for the Green Flag, awarded by Keep Britain Tidy, flying above the best kept green spaces such as Apex Park in Burnham, Vivary Park, Keynsham Memorial and Ham Hill near Yeovil that is centred on an iron age fort. A Green Flag was awarded to the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal, which ‘Go Canoeing’ has described as one of England’s best kept secrets. The Canal was opened in 1827 and links the River Parrett to the River Tone, passing through some of the best Somerset Levels and Moors landscape.

bucklegrove advert-136x96:Layout 1 02/08/2018 12:40 Page 1

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

hidden treasures | VISIT SOMERSET

Somerset is widely regarded as having some of the most beautiful churches in the land, particularly the mediaeval towers, that rise majestically above even the most modest villages. Many of these towers are decorated with strange carvings which have their own Somerset dialect name, hunky punks. Similar to gargoyles, they are the signature of the stonemason. Step inside and there are more secrets, from rare painted walls to unusual pews. Exmoor has some real gems - Oare Church in Lorna Doone country and Culbone, said to be the smallest parish church in England. Some churches are abandoned like Burrowbridge and Uphill.

Because of their significance, in a county that is notably flat in its centre, the hills have a rich variety of names – mump, tor, peak and down. It might seem odd to describe some of these as hidden treasures since they are so obvious, but the views from them can be a revelation. Unless you know how to reach the summits, they can remain hidden. Six of these have been named the ‘Somerset 360s’ which you can find online, along with details of the ‘Walkers Are Welcome Scheme’ which has more.

A Grade 1 listed jewel of architecture, set in the Quantock Hills of Somerset. A private venue offering exclusive options for groups of 15 - 100 www.crowcombecourt.co.uk admin@crowcombecourt.co.uk 62

VISIT SOMERSET

| hidden treasures

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

Some of Somerset’s treasures can remain buried or absent for large parts of the year. That is why it pays to visit at different times, as each season has something different and special to offer. In the winter, the reserves on the Levels and the coast are visited by huge flocks of ducks and waders, sometimes being hunted by birds of prey, giving rise to spectacular aerial displays. Certain woods become carpets of snowdrops, such as the famous Snowdrop Valley on Exmoor. In Spring there are bluebells at Fyne Court; in Summer, wildflower meadows and in Autumn amazing leaf colours. Among other gems, known often only to local people, are the surprising waterfall onto the beach at St Audries, the splendid Ashton Windmill complete with sails, the underground reservoir in Dunster Castle and the pill boxes on the wartime Stop Line. Then there is the old village lock-up at Castle Cary, that inspired the design of the modern British police helmet and the spectacular piece of Victorian engineering, that is the Winding House built to lower wagons of iron ore down a 1:4 slope on the Brendon Hills Mineral Line. In pioneering Bridgwater, see one of the first buildings to make extensive use of Portland cement, for pre-cast concrete.

PURBECK HOLIDAY LETS Bridge Place Road, Camerton, Bath, BA2 0PD T: +44 (0) 1761 471358 E: enquiries@purbeckholidaylets.co.uk W: www.purbeckholidaylets.co.uk Luxurious self-catering holiday accommodation in the form of two Scandinavian Lodges which each have 2 well equipped bedrooms as well as a sofa bed and 2 holiday apartments with well equipped rooms and can accommodate up to 2 +2 on sofa bed. Apartments from £120 per night (min 2 nights). Lodges from £180 per night (min 2 nights).

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

hidden treasures | VISIT SOMERSET

HISTORIC SOMERSET

FASCINATING EXHIBITS The course of English history might have been somewhat altered, if the marshes of Somerset hadn’t given shelter to King Alfred in his time of need. From his fort at Athelney, he rallied the local militias to his base in the Somerset marshes and successfully defended his kingdom against the Vikings in 878, going on to be the dominant ruler of England. Legend has it, he burned some cakes at Athelney.

In 1693 at North Petherton, just a few miles from Athelney, a jewel was ploughed up that dates from Alfred’s reign. A tear-shaped slice of rock crystal with the inscription: ‘Alfred ordered me to be made’, it is among the most significant of royal relics. A replica can be found in the Museum of Somerset, in Taunton. The museum has a host of other fascinating exhibits such as the shoes of a local man born in 1805, who was seven foot four inches tall. Its galleries trace the County’s history from the time of an Ice Age bear skull found in the Mendip caves, to the present day. On the way we see a Roman mosaic which is the oldest object in Britain to tell a complete story.

Discover the history, legends and spirit

www.glastonburyabbey.com Registered Charity No: 1129263

VISIT SOMERSET

| historic

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

The museums of Somerset come in every shape and size, from the tiny Blake Museum in Bridgwater to the spacious Somerset Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury. You can stand in a field in the village of Westonzoyland and visualise ‘all those who, doing the right as they saw it, fell in the Battle of Sedgemoor on 6th July 1685.’ This was the last planned battle on English soil and led to the infamous Bloody Assizes, presided over by Judge Jeffreys. Many Somerset villages lost men in the battle and the reprisals afterwards. Men from local villages died in far greater numbers in the two World Wars, but some villages lost no-one at all, so these are known as the ‘Thankful Villages’. Somerset’s woollen industry was once one of the largest in England and responsible for the legacy of fine churches. Coal mining on the Mendips was another source of wealth and there were 80 collieries around Radstock as late as 1901. Quarrying was important and the Brendon Hills were mined for iron ore. With such natural riches it is not surprising that such a large number of grand houses were built.

Explore Somerset on our buses

126

Wells to Weston-super-Mare

173

Bath

to Wells

174

Bath

to Wells

376

Bristol to Street

via Cheddar, Winscombe & Locking

up to every

via Peasedown St John, Radstock, Midsomer Norton & Chilcompton

via Peasedown St John, Radstock, Midsomer Norton, Stratton-on-the Fosse, Shepton Mallet & Croscombe

via Bristol Temple Meads , Whitchurch, Pensford, Clutton, Chewton Mendip, Wells & Glastonbury

Route and frequency information correct at time of print, Sept 2018

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

up to every

60 mins

60 mins up to every

30 mins www.firstgroup.com/mendip

historic | VISIT SOMERSET

ACTIVE ADVENTURE IN SOMERSET

GET ACTIVE With a coast, fast-flowing rivers, lakes, cliffs, caves and miles of unspoilt countryside, Somerset is a cornucopia for anyone with a sense of adventure. If you prefer to take things at your own pace, there are longdistance walking trails. These can be tackled in sections to suit you and if you have problems with access, we have numerous paths that accommodate wheelchairs and buggies allowing everyone to explore the outdoors at any time of the year.

VISIT SOMERSET

| active adventures

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

There is nothing like a jolt of adrenaline to make you feel alive and there are plenty of places in Somerset guaranteed to get the pulse racing. You can set your heart pounding by trying something completely new, such as flying a hawk, or you can test your nerve by attempting the next level of your favourite sport, like rock climbing. You can find these thrills by yourself or put your trust in the professionals, who run adventure companies and offer expert tuition. Setting off on a long-distance trail can be an adventure, as you never quite know what the journey has in store. We have 38 trails that either start, finish or pass through Somerset and Exmoor. If you prefer to cycle, the area has some of the most varied cycling terrain anywhere in the country, from the extreme to the hardly taxing. For those who prefer their saddle to be on a horse or pony, there are stables and schools and you can even ride on the beach.

In the heart of Exmoor Country

Burrowhayes Farm Riding Stables

Adventures are not restricted to the great outdoors. We have Escape Rooms in Cheddar, a rollercoaster on The Grand Pier at Weston and water slides at Brean Splash.

WHERE EVERYONE IS WELCOME! Located near Chard in Somerset Golf Course • Driving Range • Pitch & Putt • Pro Shop Bar • Restaurant • Events • Weddings & Conferences Open 7 Days a Week - From 7.00am Tel: 01460 30231 • Somerset TA20 4DG

www.cricketstthomasgolfclub.co.uk

www.visitsomerset.co.uk

Escorted rides on Dunkery, Ley Hill & Selworthy Children’s ponies for parents to walk & lead Licensed by W.S.D.C Open from Easter to end of October Also popular family camping site Just 1 mile east of Porlock off A39

www.burrowhayes.co.uk

West Luccombe, Porlock, Minehead, Somerset TA24 8HT • T:01643 862463 active adventures | VISIT SOMERSET