Somerset Weekend Break – Enjoyable Issues To Do In Somerset

Somerset is likely one of the UK’s most beautiful counties, with rolling hills, mystical landmarks, and a protracted custom of superb meals produce. From the honey-coloured Georgian buildings of Bathtub to the legendary Glastonbury Tor, the area provides a fascinating mixture of historical past, tradition, and pure magnificence that makes it good for a memorable Somerset weekend break.

The best way to Get to Somerset

Attending to Somerset is easy from most components of the UK, with glorious transport hyperlinks by prepare, automotive, and coach.

By Prepare

Somerset is well-served by high-speed trains from London. Nice Western Railway (GWR) operates common direct providers from London Paddington to main Somerset stations:

• Bathtub Spa: 1 hour half-hour from London Paddington
• Taunton: 1 hour 42 minutes from London Paddington
• Citadel Cary: 1 hour 39 minutes from London Paddington
• Bridgwater: 2 hours 23 minutes from London Paddington

South Western Railway additionally runs providers from London Waterloo to Yeovil Junction. Prepare tickets usually vary from £70-£200 relying on time of reserving and repair kind.

By Automotive

Somerset is well accessible by way of the motorway community:

• From London and the Southeast: Take the M4 westbound, connecting to the M5 southbound at Bristol, or take the M3 connecting with the A303 into south Somerset
• From the Midlands and North: Take the M5 southbound, with junctions 24 (Bridgwater) and 25 (Taunton) offering entry to Somerset
• From the Southwest: Take the A39 alongside the north coast and throughout Exmoor

The drive from London takes roughly 2.5-3 hours relying in your vacation spot inside Somerset.

By Air

The closest airports are:

• Bristol Airport: 40 miles from central Somerset
• Exeter Airport: 44 miles from Taunton
• Bournemouth Airport: 50 miles from south Somerset

Somerset Weekend Break: Greatest Issues to Do

Whether or not you select to base your self in a city equivalent to Bathtub or Wells, or within the countryside as we did, it’s simple to discover the county of Somerset. Unfold over 1,610 sq. miles, Somerset has a great highway community and rail connections, making it easy to go to a number of points of interest throughout your keep.

1. Bathtub

Somerset’s fundamental city is likely one of the most stunning within the UK. There are a lot of spectacular Georgian buildings, an enormous array of unbiased shops, and a few prime vacationer points of interest.

No go to to Bathtub could be full with no go to to the Roman Baths. The Romans cherished Bathtub as a lot as we do, and constructed a temple in 60-70 AD on the supply of pure sizzling springs. The Baths and the Grand Pump Room appeal to greater than 1,000,000 guests annually.

Minerva’s Head is likely one of the main finds within the Roman Baths museum assortment – found in 1727, she is all that is still of a bronze statue of the goddess Sulis Minerva.

After visiting the Roman Baths, pop into the Pump Rooms. A drink of the recent spring water is included within the worth of admission to the baths.

Bathtub Abbey, or the Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, to offer it its full title, is a former Benedictine monastery and Anglican parish church with beautiful Gothic structure.

The Royal Crescent is one in every of Bathtub’s most iconic sights. This elegant row of 30 Georgian terraced homes was designed by architect John Wooden the Youthful.

No. 1 Royal Crescent is a must-visit, a historic home museum depicting life in Georgian England. Not solely are the interiors charming, however the volunteers in every room are a mine of details about life beneath and above stairs.

2. Glastonbury Tor

Glastonbury Tor is an iconic hill that has been a religious magnet for hundreds of years. Standing 521 toes above sea stage, this outstanding landmark is topped by a Fifteenth-century tower – all that is still of the previous St. Michael’s Church. The tower provides spectacular views over the Somerset Ranges, Dorset, and Wiltshire.

The Tor is talked about in Welsh mythology, significantly in myths linked to King Arthur and the island of Avalon, and has a number of different enduring mythological and religious associations. Legend says that beneath the hill there’s a hidden cave by which you go into the fairy realm of Annwn, and that the Holy Grail lies right here.

Managed by the Nationwide Belief, the location is free to go to and is accessible by way of a steep stroll from Glastonbury city centre (roughly 25 minutes) or by the Tor Bus throughout Summer season months.

3. Glastonbury Abbey

Glastonbury Abbey is considered the cradle of Christianity in England and is reputed to be the burial place of King Arthur. The spectacular ruins are located simply off Glastonbury’s fundamental Excessive Avenue and supply 36 acres of grounds to discover.

The abbey provides free entry for underneath 16s all 12 months spherical, making it a wonderful household vacation spot. Guests can use the Glastonbury Tales AR app to find the location by augmented actuality, seeing 3D reconstructions of the unique buildings and listening to tales from medieval inhabitants.

4. Wookey Gap

The UK’s oldest vacationer attraction and largest cave system, Wookey Gap is considerably kitsch however nice enjoyable! 4 hundred years in the past, cheese was matured within the caves, because the 11°C temperature was very best.

The Wookey Gap Caves have been in use for over 45,000 years. They have been the location of the primary cave dive within the nation, by Jack Sheppard and Graham Balcombe in 1935.

You put on laborious hats for a part of the tour, though there isn’t any hazard – it provides to the sense of pleasure.

5. Cheddar Gorge

This limestone gorge provides spectacular surroundings and is a good base for mountaineering. The dramatic cliffs and caves make for a formidable sight, and the picturesque village has glorious Cheddar cheese retailers.

That is the place Britain’s most full human skeleton, Cheddar Man, was found in 1903 – he was round 9,000 years previous. Maintain an eye fixed out for the lovable mountain goats that inhabit the realm.

Should you’re searching for someplace to eat, we advocate Cafe Gorge at The Authentic Cheddar Cheese Firm – the proper spot to refuel after exploring the gorge. Their cheese toastie is a must-try, that includes genuine Cheddar cheese made proper right here in its birthplace.

6. Wells

Wells is a beautiful little market city with a putting Gothic Cathedral. Its facade has over 300 sculpted figures.

Designed within the early English architectural fashion, Wells Cathedral has stunning medieval stained glass home windows. The Jesse Tree window dates from the 14th century.

The Bishop’s Palace is subsequent to the cathedral and was constructed from 1210 onwards. The present bishop nonetheless lives right here.

Additionally within the centre of Wells, don’t miss Vicar’s Shut. The oldest full medieval road in Europe, it was designed to supply lodging for church staff.

Wells Market is one other standard native attraction, with medieval gateways often called the Bishop’s Eye and Penniless Porch. There are twice weekly markets held right here on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

For an distinctive eating expertise, go to Root restaurant in Wells. This celebrated restaurant focuses on seasonal, native elements. Order a collection of their small plates to pattern one of the best of Somerset’s produce ready with inventive aptitude.

7. Somerset Rural Life Museum

Situated in Glastonbury, this fascinating museum is centred round a powerful 14th-century barn and provides fascinating insights into Somerset’s agricultural heritage and rural traditions. The barn itself, as soon as a part of Glastonbury Abbey’s estates, is an architectural marvel with its hovering timber roof and spectacular stone partitions.

The museum showcases the story of farming and rural life in Somerset by the Victorian period and into the twentieth century. Displays embrace an exquisite assortment of classic farm equipment and recreated interval rooms together with a Victorian farmhouse kitchen.

Kids will love the outside play space and the chance to see uncommon breed animals together with sheep, chickens, and pigs. The gorgeous orchard, planted with conventional Somerset apple varieties used for cider making, is ideal for a peaceable stroll, particularly throughout blossom time in Spring.

8. The Somerset Ranges and Brean Down

This distinctive wetland panorama provides glorious birdwatching alternatives and peaceable walks. The flat terrain makes it good for biking, and the realm is famend for its beautiful sunsets and atmospheric mist-covered mornings.

Brean Down is a dramatic limestone peninsula jutting out into the Bristol Channel, providing among the most spectacular coastal views in Somerset. This Nationwide Belief web site extends 1.5 miles into the ocean and rises to 97 metres at its highest level.

The stroll alongside the ridge rewards guests with panoramic views throughout the Somerset Ranges, the Welsh coast. On clear days, you’ll be able to see so far as Exmoor and the Quantock Hills. On the far finish of the peninsula, you’ll discover the stays of a Victorian fort, inbuilt 1865 as a part of Britain’s coastal defenses.

The world is wealthy in wildlife, with uncommon crops, butterflies, and seabirds. It’s additionally an essential web site for archaeology, with proof of human exercise courting again to the Bronze Age. The steep climb from the seashore is definitely worth the effort – simply keep in mind to verify tide instances if strolling alongside the seashore method.

9. The Mendip Hills

The Mendip Hills Space of Excellent Pure Magnificence provides a shocking panorama of limestone ridges, dramatic gorges, and underground caves. This historic panorama stretches from Weston-super-Mare to Frome and supplies countless alternatives for outside actions.

Key highlights embrace:

• Burrington Combe: A dramatic gorge the place Augustus Toplady was impressed to write down “Rock of Ages” whereas sheltering from a storm
• Charterhouse: An space of historic lead mining with fascinating industrial archaeology
• Ebbor Gorge: A hidden gem managed by Pure England, good for woodland walks
• Priddy: A conventional village well-known for its annual sheep truthful and historic hurdle stack

The Mendips are additionally house to quite a few caves and potholes, making it a paradise for cavers. Above floor, the community of footpaths and bridleways provides glorious strolling, biking, and horse using alternatives. The world’s darkish skies are good for stargazing, and the standard pubs scattered all through the hills present welcome refreshment stops.

10. Montacute Home

Montacute Home is a powerful Elizabethan Renaissance mansion and one of many most interesting examples of late Sixteenth-century structure in England. This Nationwide Belief property, positioned close to Yeovil, was constructed within the 1590s for Sir Edward Phelips, a profitable lawyer and Speaker of the Home of Commons.

The home is famend for its beautiful Lengthy Gallery – the longest surviving gallery of its variety in England – which homes an impressive assortment of Tudor and Jacobean portraits on mortgage from the Nationwide Portrait Gallery. The outside options stunning golden Ham Hill stone that glows warmly in daylight, ornate gables, and chic chimneys.

Movie and TV lovers may acknowledge Montacute as a filming location for interval dramas, together with diversifications of Jane Austen novels and “Wolf Corridor”. The home provides a captivating glimpse into Elizabethan life and is surrounded by the picturesque village of Montacute with its charming thatched cottages and historic pub.

11. Exmoor Nationwide Park

The Somerset portion of Exmoor Nationwide Park provides a few of England’s most dramatic and unspoiled landscapes. This wild moorland stretches throughout north Somerset, characterised by purple heather-covered hills, historic woodlands, and deep valleys with fast-flowing rivers.

Tarr Steps, one in every of Exmoor’s most well-known landmarks, is an historic clapper bridge spanning the River Barle. This prehistoric construction consists of 17 large stone slabs weighing as much as 5 tons every, laid throughout stone pillars.

Native legend claims it was constructed by the satan for sunbathing, nevertheless it’s extra prone to date from round 1000 BC. The bridge is surrounded by stunning historic woodland, and the round walks from right here supply among the finest river surroundings within the Nationwide Park.

Different Exmoor highlights in Somerset embrace:

• Dunkery Beacon: The best level on Exmoor at 519m, providing 360-degree views reaching to Wales
• Dunster Citadel and Village: A fairytale fort overlooking a superbly preserved medieval village
• Porlock Vale: A picturesque valley with the charming villages of Porlock and Porlock Weir
• Horner Wooden: Historic oak woodland good for autumn colours and wildlife recognizing
• Wild Pink Deer: Exmoor is house to England’s largest wild land mammal – finest seen in the course of the Autumn rut

The Somerset part of Exmoor provides glorious alternatives for mountaineering, horse using, mountain biking, and stargazing in one in every of England’s first Worldwide Darkish Sky Reserves. The coast the place Exmoor meets the ocean options England’s highest sea cliffs and charming harbours like Porlock Weir and Minehead.

12. Frome

Frome (pronounced “Froom”) is a vibrant market city that has reworked itself right into a hub of unbiased tradition and creativity. With its steep cobbled streets and medieval buildings, Frome grow to be a magnet for artists, makers, and unbiased companies.

The center of Frome is Low cost Avenue, a captivating cobbled lane with a water course working down its centre, lined with unbiased retailers, cafes, and galleries. The road leads all the way down to the historic Frome Bridge and provides a pleasant procuring expertise away from chain shops.

Key points of interest embrace:

• Frome Impartial Market: Held on the primary Sunday of every month, this award-winning market options over 200 stalls promoting every little thing from artisan meals to classic clothes and handmade crafts
• Catherine Hill: One other picturesque cobbled road full of vintage retailers, classic shops, and quirky unbiased retailers
• Rye Bakery: A must-visit artisan bakery well-known all through the West Nation for its sourdough and pastries
• The Black Swan Arts: A inventive hub housed in a former pub, that includes galleries, studios, and a vegetarian café
• Frome Museum: Showcasing the city’s wealthy historical past from prehistoric instances by its medieval wool commerce to its industrial heritage

The place to Keep in Somerset

Midnight Moon – Luxurious Vacation Lodge

For these looking for an ideal mix of luxurious, consolation, and countryside allure, Midnight Moon lodge provides an distinctive Somerset retreat. This 5-star property combines glossy Scandinavian-inspired design with quintessential English countryside views, creating a really magical escape.

Set inside 18 acres of beautiful grounds, this superbly appointed lodge options excellent amenities that rival any luxurious resort:

• Personal outside jacuzzi on the terrace, good for stargazing on clear Somerset nights
• Wooden burner on the terrace, creating a comfortable environment on cooler evenings
• Heated indoor pool within the grounds for year-round swimming
• Sauna, steam room and ice bucket for full rest after exploring Somerset
• Totally geared up and spacious health club with all the most recent health machines

The property’s consideration to element is phenomenal. The luxurious king-size mattress comes full with plush robes and slippers, whereas considerate touches like a wine cooler guarantee you’ll be able to correctly unwind. The fashionable inside design creates a complicated but welcoming environment, with giant home windows framing the breathtaking countryside views.

Certainly one of Midnight Moon’s most charming options is the resident pygmy goats – these lovely animals add a pleasant contact of rural authenticity to your keep and are certain to carry smiles to friends of all ages.

The placement is good for exploring Somerset’s points of interest:

• Simply 5 miles from historic Wells Cathedral and the charming market city of Wells
• 7.5 miles from the dramatic Cheddar Gorge
• Quick access to Bathtub, Glastonbury, and the Mendip Hills
• Completely positioned for day journeys all through Somerset

The charming homeowners have created one thing actually particular right here, with their heat hospitality including a private contact that makes each keep memorable. That is extra than simply lodging – it’s a vacation spot in itself the place you’ll be able to create lasting reminiscences.

To e-book your keep or be taught extra about Somerset lodges go to: holidaylodges.co.uk.

Holidaylodges.co.uk supply a fastidiously curated assortment of remarkable properties throughout the UK, every handpicked for high quality and people particular touches that rework a great vacation into an unforgettable expertise.

Greatest Time to Go to Somerset

Somerset is gorgeous year-round, however every season provides completely different experiences:

• Spring (March-Might): Excellent for strolling with wildflowers in bloom
• Summer season (June-August): Perfect for festivals and outside actions
• Autumn (September-November): Beautiful colors and harvest season
• Winter (December-February): Cosy pub visits and Christmas markets

Native Meals and Drink

Somerset is famend for its culinary choices:

• Cheddar cheese: Go to the supply of this world-famous cheese
• Somerset cider: Pattern conventional farmhouse ciders
• Native produce: Farm retailers supply seasonal greens and fruits
• Cream teas: A must-try West Nation custom

Sensible Suggestions for Your Somerset Weekend Break

• E book points of interest prematurely throughout peak season (July-August)
• Many rural points of interest have restricted public transport, so take into account automotive rent
• Climate will be changeable – pack layers and waterproofs
• Many museums and points of interest supply mixed tickets for financial savings
• Test opening instances, particularly for smaller points of interest which can have seasonal hours

Somerset actually provides one thing for everybody – from historical past buffs and religious seekers to households and meals lovers. Whether or not you’re climbing Glastonbury Tor at dawn, soaking in Bathtub’s Roman heritage, or just having fun with the peaceable countryside, a Somerset weekend break guarantees unforgettable reminiscences.

Able to plan your Somerset journey? Begin by reserving your lodging at Midnight Moon Vacation Lodge and put together for a weekend of discovery in one in every of England’s most enchanting counties.

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