Somerset is home to the picturesque city of Bath (North Somerset). The city is the only place in the UK where you can still bathe in naturally hot spa water and Roman baths or hit the shops built over the river at Pulteney Bridge. You’ll find many beautiful restaurants too. Somerset is famous for its Scrumpy Cider, Apples and Cheddar Cheese, but foodies will discover much more tucked away in the county. Experience exquisite traditional restaurants and pubs hidden in local villages. You can even enjoy great Somerset food right through the day by indulging in a Somerset cream tea between lunch and dinner.
If you’re not afraid of heights or going underground, Cheddar Gorge and its caves are a stunning location for your holiday, with dramatic cliffs rising to 450ft. Those feeling adventurous can head to the caving and rock climbing activity centre on-site, while others can relax in the café nearby. A little further to the East, a cave walk for an audience with the Witch of Wookey can be combined with other family-friendly activities. Make a day of it at Wookey Hole.
The West Somerset Railway is a heritage railway line for those not keen on heights. It spans 23 miles of the Somerset countryside and operates using steam and the occasional vintage diesel train. The route is ideal for a day out. Starting from Minehead, you chunter at a sedate pace through the rolling Quantock Hills to Bishop’s Lydeard (good for pub lunches) or travel onward by bus to Taunton, Somerset’s county town. If you prefer to take your time absorbing Somerset’s beautiful wildlife and scenery, there are hundreds of walks on Exmoor or one of Somerset’s range of hills. These are The Mendips, Brendans, Quantocks and the Poldens, all giving incredible views of the surrounding countryside.
All the family will love a trip to the Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm near Portishead on the North Somerset coast. The farm is home to the longest hedge maze in England.
Somerset boasts some delightful seaside resorts, offering a healthy choice of self-catering accommodation to suit all tastes. Weston-Super-Mare is always popular, with a golden sand beach and the Grand Pier with rides and a great selection of food and drink. The West Somerset resorts of Watchet (lovely harbour), Blue Anchor, Dunster (superb castle), Minehead and Porlock offer a more quiet seaside location, ideal for building sandcastles, sea angling and walkers. The West Somerset Steam Railway has stations at most resorts other than Porlock, so you don’t even have to drive!
There are many fascinating historical museums and country houses to explore when you are not walking, bathing or cycling Somerset’s hills and beaches. The most famous museum is The Haynes Motor Museum near Wincanton. Here, you can get a first-hand look at the timeline of motorcars worldwide. Also, try the nearby Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton, which gets you up close and personal with Europe’s most extensive collection of naval aircraft and one of the first Concorde aeroplanes ever built.
Alternatively, aviation enthusiasts visiting Weston-super-Mare should see the world’s largest helicopter collection at the International Helicopter Museum. Whatever time of year you choose to holiday, you will always find suitable self-catering holiday accommodation in Somerset to provide a memorable and relaxing holiday.
