Somerset Tourist Information

Somerset Tourist Information

Somerset is a large county situated in southern England and a popular holiday spot with visitors any time of the year.

The M5 and A303 run right through the heart of the County, with Bristol and Exeter Airports close by.

Somerset is not only famous for its wonderful cheeses, willow making and cider; but has some picturesque countryside including the Somerset Levels, Exmoor National Park and coastal resorts such as Weston-super-mare, Minehead, Burnham-on-Sea, Porlock, Watchet, Portishead and Clevedon.

Somerset is a county that offers something for everyone. There are many villages, pretty hamlets and towns to visit. Wiveliscombe is a small town at the gateway to Exmoor and has many shops, pubs and two breweries.

Numerous people every year come to Exmoor National Park where there are over 700 miles of footpaths and bridleways to explore. It is a great place for a relaxing break and has many places to visit including five National Park Visitor Centres at Dunster, Lynmouth, Combe Martin, County Gate and Dulverton. There are many historic houses and gardens, including those of Arlington Court to the south of Combe Martin, Knightshayes Court south of Dulverton and Dunster Castle. Other popular places to visit include Tarr Steps (largest clapper bridge in Britain) popular with visitors and locals alike and the Church of St Beuno at Culbone which claims to be the smallest church in Britain.

Minehead is situated in the mouth of the Bristol Channel and is a popular holiday destination boasting a sandy beach and busy seaside town. Another seaside location is Porlock Weir and Watchet Harbour where there are fishing and boating facilities and a pretty harbour. Watchet is a quiet seaside resort with a museum, West Somerset Railway and a sandy beach and cliff tops.

Burnham-on-Sea has seven miles of sandy beach and a view of Bridgwater Bay. Bridgwater is an industrial town and formerly a busy port on the River Parrett. Today there are several facilities for visitors including a leisure centre, shops and a great base for visitors attending the annual carnival in November. Taunton is a popular choice for both business and pleasure and is situated just moments away from the M5 and railway station. Taunton is close to the Blackdowns, Quantocks and Brendon hills each differing in character. Taunton is also home to Somerset’s Cricket Ground and is a great place for retail therapy with an excellent shopping centre and several eating establishments.

Wells is England’s smallest city and home to a magnificent cathedral, Bishop’s Palace, pretty cobbled streets, boutique shops, farmers market and several tea rooms and eating establishments. Wells lies at the feet of the Mendip Hills and is close to village of Wookey where you can visit the witch of Wookey and show caves. Not far from Wells and Wookey is the old industrial town of Shepton Mallet a good base for visitors attending events throughout the year at the Royal Bath & West showground.

North Curry is surrounded by the Somerset Levels an important wetland area popular with bird watchers. The Levels and Moors run from Taunton to Glastonbury and is dominated by “Burrow Mump” a natural hill crowned by the ruins of the unfinished St Michael’s Church. Glastonbury is not only famous for its “Glastonbury Festival” but also for its 500ft high spiritual Glastonbury Tor a place where you can see miles of countryside on a fine day. Glastonbury is a popular town with an Abbey and many new age shops, museum and friendly pubs and restaurants. Visitors can travel on to Clarks Village a huge shopping outlet with designer shops, in the town of Street.

Frome is a busy market town close to the Wiltshire border and near to the famous Longleat House and Safari Park. Frome has two theatres, a craft and exhibition centre, the Cheese & Grain that hosts musical events and several shops and pubs. Nearby to Frome is Nunney a tiny hamlet that houses the remains of a moated castle.

In the heart of the Mendips is the very popular village of Cheddar with is famous gorge, caves and of course Cheddar Cheese and local cider. Castle Cary is popular town with both business and pleasure visitors and has several high class shops, pretty pubs and old horse pond. Castle Cary is on the main railway line to London so a great base for exploring the rest of Somerset.

Bruton is a charming town on a river Brue and is famed for its number of private schools and Dovecote. There are several specialist shops, numerous alley ways which date back to medieval times leading to the “Pack Horse Bridge”.

Wincanton is not only famous for its racecourse but is a popular market town just off the A303. There are several antique shops, pubs and eating establishments.

Yeovil is a busy industrial centre with close connections with the aviation industry. Yeovil has two theatres, a leisure centre, shopping centre, wooded parkland, ski centre, multi-screen cinema, art centre and waterside walk.

On a visit to Somerset you will visage magnificent stately homes and pretty market towns and farmers markets serving fine Somerset fayre and hospitality.

There are many tourist attractions and events in Somerset including Wells Cathedral, Glastonbury Abbey, Glastonbury Tor, Dunster Castle, Montacute House, Yeovil Railway Centre, Bishops Lydeard Mill and Rural Life Museum, Gants Mill & Garden, The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company & Working Dairy, Farleigh Hungerford Castle, Nunney Castle, Muchelney Abbey, Oakham Treasures, The SeaQuarium, Somerset Distillery, SS Great Britain, Clarkes Village, Montacute TV Radio & Toy Museum, Cleeve Abbey, Fleet Air Arm Museum, The Bakelite Museum, Royal Bath & West Showground, Somerset Brick & Tile Museum, Watchet Boat Museum, Museum of South Somerset, The Helicopter Museum, Haynes International Motor Museum, Butlins (Minehead), Tyntesfield House, Barrington Court, The Fleet Air Arm Museum, Cheddar Caves, Wookey Hole, Cheddar Gorge and Exmoor National Park to name just a few.

You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing accommodation in Somerset. There are numerous bed and breakfasts, guest houses, farm houses, pubs and charming hotels to choose from making this a great base for both business and pleasure.

 Bed and Breakfast holiday accommodation in Somerset

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