Summary
The city of Bath, renowned for its magnificent Roman and Georgian heritage, is one of the primary attractions in Somerset.
While Bath itself is a remarkable destination, Somerset offers an array of other captivating cities and towns, such as Wells and Frome, as well as charming rural villages.
The Somerset countryside is rich in folklore and history, tracing back to the foundational roots of England: The Somerset Levels are reputed to be the mythical Avalon from Arthurian legend, and it was in the 9th century that King Alfred the Great sought refuge in these Levels to strategize against the invading Vikings.
Situated in the west, Exmoor boasts a National Park characterized by heather, meadows, and ancient woodlands, with hills reaching elevations of 500 meters.
Let us examine the prime locations to explore in Somerset:
1. Bath
While the Romans initially discovered Bath, it was the Georgians who refined it, transforming the city into the premier luxury resort of the 1700s.
Amongst the splendid architecture from this era, the primary draw of Bath remains the Roman bathing complex, established around 1,800 years prior.
The Roman Baths attract visitors from across the globe, and the preservation of this site is exceptional for Britain, enriched by Victorian reconstructions.
The museum housed within the complex reveals a wealth of magnificent artifacts.
The city experienced another golden age in the 18th century, epitomized by the illustrious Royal Crescent among numerous grand structures.
Notably, Jane Austen featured Bath in her novels “Northanger Abbey” and portions of “Persuasion” following her visits at the dawn of the 19th century.
2. Wells
Recognized as England’s smallest city, Wells is also one of its most picturesque, offering significant attractions for its population of merely 10,000 residents.
The highlight is undoubtedly Wells Cathedral, an architectural marvel exemplifying historical and aesthetic significance.
Commencing construction in the 12th century, Wells Cathedral stands out as the first entirely Gothic church, devoid of Norman romanesque features, making it potentially the first of its kind worldwide.
All ecclesiastical structures associated with the cathedral have survived, allowing visitors to explore the imposing 13th-century Bishop’s Palace and the historical Vicar’s Close, noted for its preserved residential street layout dating back to the 1300s.
3. Exmoor
The majority of Exmoor National Park lies within Somerset, occupying a substantial portion of the county’s western area.
In the northern region, the hills dramatically descend to the Bristol Channel, forming England’s tallest sea cliffs composed of formidable dark sandstone.
The interior features towering hills adorned with heather, leading down to sheltered valleys rich in ancient woodlands.
Alongside quaint medieval villages and hamlets boasting pubs, vast uninhabited areas prevail, where sheep and semi-wild Exmoor ponies inhabit the hilly terrain, and sightings of large red deer are commonplace.
4. Weston-super-Mare
Situated along the Bristol Channel, Weston-super-Mare exemplifies a traditional Victorian seaside resort.
Its enduring appeal mirrors that of more than a century ago: the picturesque sea, an expansive beach revealed at low tide, and two historic piers, one of which—the Grand Pier—has been recently restored following a fire in 2008. Sunny days in summer highlight Weston-super-Mare’s charm, enticing families with amusements, donkey rides, and the classic pleasure of building sandcastles on the shore.
During off-peak times, it serves as a refreshing retreat for invigorating sea air and appreciating the Victorian architecture, crafted from a creamy limestone quarried nearby in Uphill.
5. Glastonbury
For the majority of the year, Glastonbury is a charming village replete with significant historical elements nearby.
Glastonbury Tor is an impressive sandstone hill crowned with the 15th-century St. Michael’s Tower, which marks the remnants of a long-destroyed church.
Glastonbury Abbey, with its origins in the 7th century, faced suppression during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century.
The final abbot met a grim fate, being hanged, drawn, and quartered on Glastonbury Tor in 1539. However, Glastonbury also hosts one of the world’s most celebrated performing arts festivals each June at Michael Eavis’s dairy farm.
6. Cheddar
Located on the southern slopes of the Mendip Hills, Cheddar is a village surrounded by strawberry fields, featuring one of Britain’s natural marvels in its vicinity.
The Cheddar Gorge is the largest of its kind in the country, plunging nearly 140 meters at its deepest points.
This limestone area is interconnected with caves and ancient quarries open for exploration, most notably the site where the oldest complete human skeleton in Britain was discovered, dating back 9,000 years.
We have yet to mention cheddar cheese, which originates from this village and is traditionally matured within the caves.
The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company is a notable establishment, offering the only cheddar still produced in Cheddar.
7. Frome
Wandering through the historic streets of Frome can become quite captivating: the town boasts over 500 listed buildings, some dating back to the 15th century.
Catherine Hill should be the initial stop on your journey, a steep incline rising from the old center, lined with locally-owned shops and cafes housed in charming stone buildings.
In the 17th century, wool and cloth manufacturing was prevalent, and multiple streets of cottages for mill-workers can be found in the Trinity area—some of England’s earliest industrial housing.
Merely ten minutes southwest of Frome lie the striking remnants of Nunney Castle, which, though damaged and deserted during the English Civil War, still showcases intricate details amid its surrounding moat.
8. Bridgwater
Straddling the River Parrett and situated approximately ten miles from the river’s entry into the Bristol Channel, Bridgwater has been a hub for manufacturing and trade for centuries due to its optimal location.
Bridgwater was the birthplace of the distinguished military leader General at Sea Robert Blake in 1598.
The residence where he was born now serves as a museum detailing his contributions as well as illustrating life in this town during the 16th and 17th centuries.
Notable sights in the town center include the 13th-century Church of St Mary and the 18th-century Corn Exchange, notable for its unusual circular portico.
9. Somerton
This town served as the county capital briefly in the 1300s, and it may have played a role as the capital of the Kingdom of Wessex in the 10th century.
Today, with a population under 5,000, it presents itself as an idyllic location for a tranquil rural retreat.
Most of Somerton’s historical architecture is constructed from blue lias stone, offering a charming rustic aesthetic.
Visitors can seek out 17th-century almshouses and explore the Church of St Michael, renowned for its roof adorned with cider barrels and dragons, believed to be crafted by the monks of Muchelney Abbey in medieval times.
Equally remarkable is Lytes Cary, an exquisite manor house with elements dating back to the 1300s, constructed from the same blue lias stone.
10. Taunton
Similar to many locations throughout Somerset, Taunton played a crucial role during Saxon times, housing a fortress built in the 8th century that marked the present site of Taunton Castle.
While this landmark has Norman roots, it underwent transformations in the 1700s, with the Great Hall now hosting the Museum of Somerset.
History enthusiasts will appreciate the remarkable Roman mosaic from Low Ham Villa and the Froome Hoard, which includes more than 52,500 coins from the 3rd and 4th centuries.
An afternoon at Hestercombe House, replete with its beautiful French-style gardens, featuring parterres and pergolas, is certainly worthwhile.
11. Montacute
Initiate your exploration at the village of Montacute, which is entirely constructed from local hamstone—a type of limestone characterized by a warm yellow-grey hue.
This stone has been quarried at Ham Hill for centuries, which rises to 125 meters and once featured an Iron Age fort at its top.
Soaring to the west of Montacute is St. Michael’s Hill, where ancient wine terraces have been transformed into earthworks, culminating in a romantic 18th-century folly resembling a castle tower at its summit.
The Elizabethan Montacute House, also built from hamstone, was among the first stately homes to become a property of the National Trust.
Within this exquisite Renaissance villa are period furnishings and tapestries, alongside Tudor and Jacobean portraits displayed in the magnificent 52-meter Long Gallery.
12. Minehead
Positioned along the Bristol Channel and at the northeastern edge of Exmoor, Minehead presents a seaside character that is subtly charming.
In the late 1800s, industrialists from various locations, including Bristol, erected impressive properties along the waterfront and on North Hill, one of Exmoor’s final elevations that sharply ascends on the west side of the town.
During summer, Minehead attracts numerous day-trippers eager to enjoy its sandy beaches and gentle waters, thanks to the gradually inclined shore.
Both children and nostalgic adults often take pleasure in steam train excursions on the West Somerset Railway, which meanders along the borders of Exmoor and the enchanting Quantock Hills, ultimately reaching Bishops Lydeard.
13. Langport
This ancient market town has Saxon roots and features two historical centers; one near the picturesque River Parrett for trade, and another on the hilltop for defensive purposes, where the solemn 15th-century Church of All Saints is positioned.
The elongated layout enhances the sense of history within what is a relatively small town, featuring numerous period properties primarily from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Langport lies right on the Somerset Levels, an expansive area with low elevation characterized by wetlands, moors, meadows, and farms.
Although winter flooding is common, summer invites exploration through the lush landscape via the Parrett River Trail leading to the scenic North Moor.
14. Wincanton
Upon entering Wincanton in eastern Somerset, you might notice an unusual detail on the signs.
The town has an official twin city—Ankh-Morpork, a fictional location from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels.
Enthusiasts may obtain Discworld memorabilia from the Discworld Emporium, and they may also appreciate the Uncle Tom’s Cabin pub, frequented by Pratchett and illustrator Richard Kingston.
On the older buildings within Wincanton, numerous references to horses can be found, harking back to when the town served as a major staging post along the route to London.
For those interested in horse racing, Wincanton Racecourse is a National Hunt (hurdle) venue offering races throughout the winter months.
15. Ilminster
Another of the ancient market towns in Somerset, Ilminster boasts a history retracing back to at least the 8th century.
It has maintained a charter permitting a weekly market since the 11th century, which continues to operate successfully today.
The older structures in Ilminster are crafted from the distinctive yellow hamstone, including the Church of St Mary (The Minster), an exquisite 15th-century Gothic edifice that houses the tombs of the notable Wadham family.
As part of cider country, Ilminster offers the opportunity to tour the Perry’s Cider Mill, and Barrington Court stands as a splendid Elizabethan manor replete with an arts and crafts-style garden featuring apple orchards.
