Somerset is such a beautiful part of the West Country, so it’s no surprise that it’s a top UK destination for large group holidays, mid-week breaks, weekends away and special celebration stays. With breathtaking scenery, beaches, quiet market towns, picturesque villages, award-winning attractions and plentiful places to eat, there’s something for all ages in all seasons.
We’re very lucky to live and work in Somerset – we love it here! The other day we sat down and talked about what makes this county so special, why people love spending time here. It was actually quite a challenge narrowing it down, but we did it eventually and we’ve put together a list of our top ten reasons to take a holiday in Somerset. We put the spotlight on South Somerset, where we are, close to the borders of Devon and Dorset with so much to see and do within a very short drive. So here we go; get yourselves comfy and read on.
Spectacular Countryside
Somerset is well known for its glorious countryside, in particular the Natural Landscapes (what used to be called Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) of Exmoor National Park, The Quantock Hills, The Blackdown Hills and The Mendip Hills. They are all very deserving of their designated status, but there is so much more that’s just as beautiful – the quiet, tucked away places that aren’t so well known. The gentle rolling hills, the open fields, meandering rivers and peaceful woodlands; the views are astonishing, the wildlife is abundant. It’s where you can truly connect with nature and fill your lungs with fresh country air. A network of footpaths, bridle ways and winding county lanes are yours to explore. Our favourites round here are the forest walks at Castle Neroche, the Iron Age ramparts at Ham Hill Country Park, and the magical woodlands at Wayford Woods.
Beautiful Beaches
Here’s another reason why this part of Somerset is so cool – it’s not far to the coast. In little more than half an hour you can creep over the border into Devon or Dorset and be on the beaches of the Jurassic Coast – they vary so much and each one has its unique charm. Lyme Regis is one of the more popular spots, an historic harbour town that has 4 beaches and is known all over the world for its fossils and literary connections. There are quaint coastal villages with quieter beaches, like Beer and Branscombe, where the main streets lead down to the shore and the South West Coast Path takes you over the cliffs to hidden bays. Further along are Sidmouth and Exmouth, great for family trips to the seaside and watersports.
Great Places To Visit
Somerset has so many great places to visit so there are amazing days out in the making. Bath, with its elegant Georgian architecture and Roman history is a must for some, Bristol is good too, with diverse city quarters and bustling markets, the world-famous Clifton Suspension Bridge and HMS Great Britain. Other top attractions are Cheddar Caves and Gorge, Wookey Hole, Tyntesfield, The West Somerset Railway, Dunster Castle and Wells Cathedral.
Closer to home there are a host of family attractions, historic houses, glorious gardens and museums. Top of our list would be Haynes Motor Museum, Montacute House, Fleet Air Arm Museum, Barrington Court and Ferne Animal Sanctuary.
Fun-Filled Activities
There’s plenty of fun to be had throughout the whole county. In our neck of the woods you can catch a match at Somerset County Cricket Ground, cheer on the horses at Taunton Racecourse, or hop over the border for a mackerel fishing trip or an exhilarating rib ride at Lyme Regis. Learn all about the cider making process at Harry’s Cider Company, go for a leisurely hack in the countryside with Hillview Riding Stables, play a round of golf just up the road at Cricket St Thomas Golf Club. If you're staying at one of our luxury large group holiday houses you can book onsite activities like craft workshops, wine tasting, archery and clay pigeon shooting, bringing the fun to you.
Good Places To Eat
Whether you prefer a café, pub or restaurant, you’ll have plenty of choice when it comes to eating out in Somerset. What we like are those cosy country pubs, tucked away in the sleepy villages, deep in the countryside. The Cotley Inn at Wambrook is one of our favourites, The Barrington Boar is good, and so is The Five Dials at Horton. From the doorstep here you can stride out across the fields to The New Inn at Dowlish Wake for pub food, or a few minutes’ drive away you can tuck into a cream tea at Hornsbury Mill.
Market Towns To Browse
Got to love the peaceful little market towns in Somerset! Sometimes it’s like stepping back in time, in a nice way – independent shops with all the traditions of a butcher, a baker and a greengrocer, everyone going about their day, stopping to chat in the street. Just down the road from Malherbie Group Stays is Ilminster, with a weekly market, an Arts Centre, an award-winning butcher’s shop and the quirky No 57 with antiques and vintage and a good café. Other recommended places for a mooch about are Somerton, Castle Cary, and if woo-woo is your thing, Glastonbury.
Local Food & Drink
We’re lucky down here in Somerset – rich soils, lush pastures and cleaner air mean there’s no shortage of things sown and grown or raised and grazed on the land. The local farm shops are well stocked with local produce from freshly baked bread, organic fruit and veg, and home reared meat to locally made cheeses, pickles and jams. And of course, there’s cider, made to traditional methods with apples grown in the orchards. It’s all so good! Pop down to Perry’s Cider, a stone’s throw away at Dowlish Wake to fill your baskets in the shop, then hang about for a glass of their award-winning cider beneath the trees in the orchard – a lovely thing to do on a warm summer day.
Exciting Events
There’s always something going on in Somerset! Best known is Glastonbury Festival when thousands descend upon the tiny village of Pilton for one of the best and biggest music events in the world. In the autumn it’s carnival time; Bridgwater Carnival heads the line up with a procession of brightly lit floats culminating in the squibbing – when fireworks are held aloft sending sparkles into the night air. The atmosphere on carnival night is happy and lively, even in the smaller towns; near us, in Chard and Ilminster, the townspeople come out and line the streets to watch the floats go by, the majorettes and walking entrants. Other regular events in South Somerset include indoor and open air theatre, live music, wildlife days and country fairs – all good fun with everyone getting into the spirit of things.
Peace and Quiet
It’s unbelievably peaceful in the Somerset countryside, just what you need to help you revive and restore and enjoy every minute of your holiday. Our luxury holiday homes are set back off the lane in a tiny hamlet; the far reaching views are breathtaking, the sunsets are astounding. You can hear foxes barking in the fields and owls hooting at night, and in the springtime, you’ll wake up to blackbirds in full voice and birds happily chirruping all day long. It’s what life in the country is all about – peace and tranquillity. We think of it as paradise in a rural setting.
Easy To Get To
Last but not least is the fact that Somerset is easy to get to from most parts of the UK. The M5 runs right through the county, providing good access from the Midlands, Wales and the North, while the South and East are served by the A303, A37, A38 and A39. There are train stations with direct access to London at Taunton, Yeovil and Crewkerne, and airports at Bristol and Exeter.
So there you have it – 10 good reasons to take a holiday in Somerset. We can sneak on a couple more to that – one is our large group holiday houses - Beaverbrook 20 and Churchill 20. Both sleep up to 30 people and have private spa halls with an indoor swimming pool, hot tub and sauna, a games room, movie room and outdoor spaces with play areas. The other reason is the memories you’ll make when you stay here; they’ll be unbeatable, the most precious thing of all.
Book a stay today!