Somerset offers a variety of highlights for a trip of discovery: striking landscapes, walking trails, abbey history and a cider tour. The themes you choose to focus on make a practical difference when planning. The River Parrett Trail is a multi-day walking route with shorter sections; those more interested in architectural history can find details about monastic life and the early Tudor period.
Gorges, Heights and Trails
Cheddar Gorge is almost 400 feet deep and 3 miles long, making it England’s largest gorge. Feral goats roam freely in the gorge. The rocky landscape and the animals offer two distinct highlights for anyone wishing to put nature and scenery at the heart of their trip.
Glastonbury Tor has been a place of religious significance for over 1,000 years and is ideal for walks and picnics. At the foot of the slopes are four orchards, two of which are open to the public. If you would also like to visit these gardens, check the access arrangements in advance.
The River Parrett Trail is a scenic, 50-mile walking route. The full route can be walked over three to four days or in shorter sections. It runs from the bridge near Stathe Farm via Stoke St Gregory and Meare Green Court, home to the Coates English Willow Baskets Visitor Centre, then over Windmill Hill and along the River Tone to the road near Burrowbridge. As the route may change, check the current route before setting out.
The Coates English Willow Visitor Centre invites visitors to learn about the history and craft of willow growing and basket weaving. The centre also offers a longer circular walk along the River Tone and up to a viewpoint on Windmill Hill. This gives you a choice of a circular walk and a themed visit focused on willow growing and basket weaving, alongside the multi-day River Parrett Trail.
The West Somerset Railway offers a different kind of experience: this 20-mile heritage railway runs through the countryside and along the Somerset coast. It provides a railway journey as a distinct way to enjoy the landscape, alongside the 50-mile walking route.
Cider and Abbey History
The guided Thatchers Cider Tour explains how Thatchers has been making cider in Somerset for over 120 years. It offers the chance to sample different ciders and lasts approximately two hours. As tasting arrangements and other tour details may change, check the information when booking.
Cleeve Abbey has the most complete and unaltered collection of monastic cloister buildings in England. One particularly specific detail is the oldest refectory floor: it dates from around 1270 and is displayed in a purpose-built timber shelter. An exhibition and a virtual touchscreen tour complement these architectural features and explore monastic life.
Muchelney Abbey was once a wealthy and important monastery. Its two-storey abbot’s lodgings are a completely preserved miniature early Tudor manor house. The interior can only be visited on selected days as part of a guided tour; advance online booking is required. Check dates and booking details before planning your visit.
In Glastonbury, the Somerset Rural Life Museum explores rural life and work from the 19th century onwards. The museum’s Abbey Barn is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Grade I listed building. Together, the museum’s subject matter and the building offer two distinct points of interest for a trip focused on rural history and heritage.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Yeovil, Woolverton, Wiveliscombe, Wincanton, Wells, Washford, Templecombe, Taunton, Sparkford, Shepton Mallet, Redlynch, North Petherton, Montacute, Minehead, Martock, Lydford, Langport, Ilminster, Ilchester, Highbridge, Hatch Beauchamp, Glastonbury, Frome, Dunster, Dulverton, Cheddar, Chard, Castle Cary, Bridgwater, Brent Knoll, Horsington, Crewkerne, Beckington, Lyng, Burnham-On-Sea, East Brent, West Huntspill, Holford, Winsford, Somerton, Catcott, Lovington, Norton St Philip, Nether Stowey, Bishops Lydeard, Puriton, Street, Lympsham, Holcombe, Williton, Axbridge, Exford, Ashwick, Burrow Bridge, Wedmore, West Quantoxhead, Litton, Brompton Regis, Kilve, Kingsbury Episcopi, Bruton, Fitzhead, South Petherton, Fivehead, Tintinhull, Bagborough, Laverton, North Curry, West Chinnock, Wellington, Milborne Port, Mark, Henstridge, Evercreech, Clatworthy, Chilcompton, Baltonsborough, Badgworth, Staple Fitzpaine, North Brewham, West Camel, Porlock, Stoke-sub-Hamdon, Queen Camel, Tolland, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, Rode, West Coker, Maundown, Stogumber, Stowell, Nunney, Ditcheat, Goathurst, Cucklington, Ashcott, Chiselborough, Othery, Milverton, Cutcombe, Buckland Dinham, Stawley, Mells, Hornblotton, Otterhampton.
For the main travel overview: South West England.
