Exploring Somerset

Things to do in Somerset, and nearby Devon and Dorset

Within 20 minutes drive Cricket St. Thomas Wildlife Park Situated on the outskirts of Chard, this park aims to create environments in which animals can behave as naturally as possible. www.cstwp.co.uk Forde Abbey & Gardens One of the top ten gardens in England and a beautiful house over 800 yeards old. A must see. www.fordeabbey.co.uk Barrington Court (National Trust) A Tudor manor house with formal gardens in the Gertrude Jekyll style. www.nationaltrust.org
Perrys Cider Mills Free tasting from winners of the Royal Bath & West Supreme Champion Cider award for 2003 and 2005. www.perryscider.co.uk The Broadwindsor Craft Centre A beautiful village with a showroom for local crafts and a restaurant serving fine food. A good day out.
Within 40 minutes drive Lyme Regis and Lyme Bay - Jurassic Coast Now a World Heritage Site ranking alongside such wonders as the Great Barrier Reef or The Grand Canyon. It is still possible to find that elusive fossil on the beach or, if feeling romantic, follow Meryl Streep's route along Lyme's harbour wall in 'The French Lieutenant's Woman'.
Pecorama and Beer Beer is a beautiful fishing port with a Victorian feel with deck chairs and cafes on the beach. Combine this with a visit to Pecorama and you have a truly enjoyable day out for children and adults alike, especially if you like model trains and gorgeous gardens. www.peco-uk.com
Fleet Air Arm Museum This is a 'must see' for aircraft enthusiasts and will interest all ages as a real tribute to the history of this Service.
Hestercombe Gardens and Montacute House Hestercombe was designed by Sir Edward Lutyens and planted by Gertrude Jekyll. Montacute is National Trust. Both are very beautiful and well worth a visit. www.nationaltrust.org
Other Places to Visit East Lambrook Garden, Sherborne Castle and Sherborne Abbey, Athelhampton House, Glastonbury Abbey, Bishop's Palace, Wells, Bicton Park and Abbotsbury Swannery Gardens and Farm.
Within 60 minutes drive Bristol, Exeter, Exmouth, the Mendips, the Quantocks, Topsham, Budleigh Salterton, Bath, Weston-Super-Mare, Street (Clarkes Shopping Centre), Sidmouth, Seaton and West Bay (Bridport), Dartmoor and Exmoor are all reachable in just over the hours drive.
You can rest assured that you will not run out of places to enjoy in and around Somerset.