It’s just a quick flit from some of the country’s big cities, yet venture into the Somerset countryside and it feels as though you’ve completely dropped off the 21st Century map. The Quantock Hills, the Somerset Levels, Exmoor - these are places where the ‘real’ world of speeding traffic, stress overloads and continual rush has barely dented daily life, and you’ll find your shoulders dropping and your forehead uncreasing with each hour that passes here.
Read on to learn more, or use the search options on the left to find things to do, places to visit and where to eat and drink in Somerset.
Exmoor, easily as beautiful as her sister, Dartmoor, offers endless ways to strike out into the wilderness and relish the great outdoors for a day or a week. Explore Exmoor walking, riding or cycling, even travelling by four wheel drive - you can set whatever pace you like through the valleys, hills, streams and moorland. Come in autumn and see the moors set alight with the colour of turning leaves; come in early spring, and witness Snowdrop Valley, when the carpet of white blooms heralds the end of winter. It’s always a good time to visit.
Somerset is a big county, though, and it has a bit of everything. Once you’ve filled your lungs with squeaky clean air and relaxed into a less frantic mode of thinking, you might just fancy a bit of culture, and there’s plenty to be had. Taunton, Yeovil, Wells - all offer shopping,
galleries, theatres and cafes; all have distinct characters that reward exploration.
Which leads us nicely to eating out. Where Cornwall is packed with beach cafes and Dartmoor is the land of cosy pubs, Somerset has more than its fair share of elegantly turned-out country house hotels with restaurants. You’ll need to scrub up a bit more, but the food at places like the Charlton House Hotel are absolutely worth the effort. And what’s a holiday without a lavish, calorie-drenched treat?
So, if you’ve always sped past Somerset on your way to a holiday in Devon or Cornwall, now’s the time to stop, turn off the M5, and explore…
“In Exmoor National Park we humans are privileged to share the mesmerising scenery with native ponies, red deer and the buzzards wheeling overhead," Penny, Classic Property Manager.
We've picked the brains of our Classic Team past and present to bring you the inside line on what to see and do in each area of the South West. Read the Local Guide to find out what they have to say about all the best bits that only locals know about. Please note, you will need Adobe Reader to view the Local Guides.
Where to see the world's largest collection of withcraft. Plus World War 2 bunkers, fairgrounds and folklore. From the kitsch to the creepy - 10 of the South West's most amazing museums.
The home of the Kelly family since 1100c, this beautiful house is now open on select dates for viewing. Please see their Website for tour dates and how to pre-book tickets.
