Have a green holiday...

Stay at an award winning green business.

Get ideas and offers...

For breaks and days out via e-newsletter.
(see example)

Ask the experts...

Site Map

miketest

...

Somerset Visitor Centre

...

Visit Somerset

The official visitor information website for Somerset Plan your perfect holiday, short break or day out in Somerset. Find Somerset hotels, B&B's and self catering cottage accommodation , attractions and places to eat . Discover historic Glastonbury & Wells - ...

Accommodation Special Offers: ...
St Valentine's Offers: ...
Experience Somerset Videos: At just 2-3 hours from the Midlands and Southeast, Somerset's diverse mix of dramatic coast and stunning countryside is a great backdrop to any break or day out. Watch our 5 short videos for a taster... Somerset's Natural Landscapes Get ...
Celebrity Somerset Film: A host of stars from the entertainment, arts and sporting worlds have come together to promote Somerset as the UK's best business location, including: Sarah Parish (Somerset born actress) Marcus Trescothick (Somerset cricket captain) Deborah Meaden (Dragon's Den entrepreneur) Charles ...
Sharing Somerset's Secrets: Discover Somerset from those who know best... Somerset residents and celebrities like travel expert Alastair Sawday , cricketer Marcus Trescothick , balloonist Andy Elson and Grand Designs presenter, Kevin McCloud have all added their tips to our new free guide ...

About Somerset

A County of Contrasts Somerset, Land of the Summer People ... Long sweeping beaches and coastal resorts at Minehead , Burnham-on-Sea, Weston-super-Mare or Clevedon are perfect for family holidays made from sand, sea and surf. Venture inland and you will ...

Land of the Summer People: Where does the name 'Somerset' come from ? The 'Sumorsaete' recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and remembered in the motto of Somerset County Council were, so the language experts tell us, 'the people of the summer lands'. The Welsh/Celts, who ...
Somerset Videos: Somerset - Jewel of the South West Quick 5-minute Somerset tour Experience Somerset - 5 new video clips Sit back and enjoy these little tasters - each one gives you a quick (approx 1 minute) overview of some things to ...
Somerset Coast: The Somerset coastline has something for everyone, busy seaside resorts, picturesque towns and harbours, marinas and stunning coastline. You can sunbathe on golden sandy beaches, enjoy the amusements, take part in a wide variety of water sports or go for ...
Countryside: Come and explore the timeless beauty of rural Somerset - rolling hills, sweeping moorlands, ancient woodlands, specially protected landscapes and wildlife reserves ( RSPB , Natural England & Somerset Wildlife Trust ). An inspiration to Coleridge, authors and film makers, ...
Towns & Villages: Search our interactive map of Somerset Axbridge Bishops Lydeard Brean Sands and Berrow Bridgwater Bruton Burnham-on-Sea Castle Cary Chard Cheddar Clevedon Dulverton Dunster Farleigh Hungerford Frome Glastonbury Mells Minehead Montacute Norton St. Philip Nunney Portishead Shepton Mallet Taunton Wellington Wells ...
Somerset History & Heritage: Somerset is a county alive with history, from Wells, the smallest city in England with a magnificent Cathedral to dozens of historic towns and villages - each with a special story to tell. If you like to explore country houses ...
Somerset Myths & Legends: You would expect such a historic county to have many stories to tell - and indeed it does! One of the most famous landmarks in England, Glastonbury Tor is home to many such tales, said to be a mysterious entrance ...
Arts & Culture in Somerset: Come and visit some of Somerset's craft and traditional arts centres. Discover Willow Making for Yourself From Cricket bats to baskets, the low floodplain of the Somerset Levels and Moors provide the perfect conditions for Willow growing. You ...
Somerset on Screen: With so much history, heritage and stunning scenery, it's hardly surprising that Somerset is a favourite for film makers! Most recently, the historic city of Wells (the smallest city in England with a magnificent gothic cathedral) was featured in the ...
Did you know?: Wells, with its magnificent cathedral is the smallest city in England King Alfred was based in Somerset and there is a legend that he 'burnt the cakes' whilst hiding from the Danes at Athelney, in the ...

Places to Stay

Search using box to Right OR Search by Map Below Search for and book Somerset Hotels , B&B's , Inns , Self Catering Holiday Cottages , Camping and Caravan Sites , Holiday Villages and hostels . All accommodation is quality ...

Winter Warmer Special Offers: ...
Valentine Special Offers: ...
Escape from it All Themed Breaks: ...
Family Holidays Themed Breaks: ...
Stay on a Working Farm: If you are after a different kind of holiday experience why not try staying on a working farm. Below is a list of working farms in Somerset that offer B&B or Self-Catering accommodation.
Green Accommodation: It has never been easier or more affordable to stay somewhere that takes the same pride as you do in protecting the environment. Green Somerset Serviced Accommodation (e.g. Hotels, B&B's, Inns and Farms) Green Somerset Self Catering Accommodation (e.g. Holiday ...
Go Green in Somerset: ...
Accommodation Types: Hotels Hotel : Formal accommodation with full service. Minimum six guest bedrooms but more likely in excess of 20. Country House Hotel : A country house hotel with ample grounds or gardens, in a rural or semi-rural situation with an ...
Accommodation Gradings: Star Ratings National Quality Assurance Scheme (NQAS) VisitBritain, the Automobile Association (AA), and the Tourist Boards for Wales & Scotland operate assessments under Common Standards. This means that the standards for accommodation are applied identically by each of the above ...
Advanced Search

Things to See & Do

Search for Somerset Visitor Attractions You will be amazed at the sheer number and diversity of attractions in Somerset! Use the red box to the right to search. Watch our Somerset Houses & Gardens Video From mystical Glastonbury Tor , ...

Somerset Attractions: You will be amazed at the sheer number and diversity of attractions in Somerset! From theme parks, historic attractions, to classic English houses and gardens and fascinating museums, as well as farm and animal attractions and a myriad of unusual ...
Heritage Touring Map: From museums to historic railways, castles, gardens, stately homes and archaeological sites, Somerset has it all. This is your guide to exploring the county and discovering its hidden gems. Look at the touring map to find out what's in Somerset, ...
Car Free Itineraries: Give the car a rest for the day! Here are 7 fun days out , designed to help you relax and enjoy Somerset without the car. Download the pdf itineraries below or for hard copies please contact Somerset Visitor Centre ...
Sharing Somerset's Secrets Guide: Discover Somerset from those who know best... Somerset residents and celebrities like travel expert Alastair Sawday , cricketer Marcus Trescothick , balloonist Andy Elson and Grand Designs presenter, Kevin McCloud have all added their tips to our new free guide ...

Touring Map

...

Get Active

Being a largely rural county of varying terrains makes Somerset a great place to get away and do all sorts of activities from:- * Walking the Coleridge Way or South West Coast Path * Horse Riding on Exmoor - the ...

Walking: Walk in the footsteps of King Arthur, Lorna Doone or Coleridge - also associated with the Poets Way footpath between Clevedon and Portishead. Whether you want a short gentle ramble or a long hike, a walk in the countryside or ...
Cycling: For a gentle cycling holiday, the Somerset Levels and Moors , central North and Southern Somerset provide a beautiful, rustic landscape; criss-crossed with small dykes or 'rhynes' and dotted with picturesque villages and towns. For those who like more of ...
Horse Riding: What's New Six New Riding Routes A new free guide has recently been launched featuring Six self-guided routes from 4-19 miles long in the beautiful countryside of South Somerset. Download your routes for free here... Walk...
Angling: Somerset in the heart of the West Country offers a huge range of superb fishing locations, whether your passion is coarse, game or sea fishing you will not be disappointed here! Fishing waters Tackle shops Angling associations Why not ...
Golf: Brean Golf Course Burnham-on-Sea 01278 752111 Burnham & Berrow Golf Club LTD Burnham-On-Sea 01278 785760 Cannington Golf Club Bridgwater 01278 655050 mcrowr@bridgwater.ac.uk Chedington Golf Club South Perrott 01935 891413 info@chedingtoncourtgolfclub.com Clevedon Golf Club Clevedon 01275 874057 Enmore Park Golf Club ...
Sport & Leisure: Right across Somerset there are lots of great sport and leisure facilities, from swimming pools, multi purpose leisure centres and sporting venues. Leisure Centres Swimming Pools Sporting Venues ...
Stop Line Way: Back to the Future and WWII The 5 mile Ilminster to Chard stretch of the historic Stop Line Way has just received a major makeover thanks to a Lottery grant. A detailed map and leaflet to the walk, which includes ...

What's On

Somerset Events and Festivals Watch our Events & Festivals Video Read interview with Wurzel's Tommer Banner in What's On Download the 4-page 2010 Events Summary pdf Search by Category Art & Culture Carnivals Food & ...

Somerset Carnivals: Somerset's Mardi Gras! Between the end of September and mid November, the streets of many Somerset towns and villages are an exciting blaze of colour as the Somerset Illuminated Carnivals take place. These processions of illuminated lorries (called 'carts' or ...
Theatres: The Academy Theatre , Shepton Mallet Tel: 01749 347984 Blakehay Theatre , Weston-super-Mare Tel: 01934 645493 Brewhouse Theatre , Coal Orchard, Taunton Tel: 01823 283244 Bridgwater Arts Centre , 11-13 Castle Street, Bridgwater Tel: 01278 422700 David Hall Arts Centre ...
Events & Festivals Video: Get a flavour for the type of events and festivals on in Somerset in 2009 and 2010 by watching our short video. Return to What's On...
Event Form Disclaimer: Please read before proceeding to the events form All events published on site are considered by using the following criteria as a guide: Size of event (likely to attract large numbers of visitors) Location of event (able to accommodate large ...

Eating Out

Search for Award Winning Somerset Places to Eat Use the search box to the right or the award links below to find award winning restaurants, cafes and pubs in Somerset. What's New Love our Cider heritage Crisp apples, delicious ...

Somerset Food & Drink Video
Local Food & Drink: Somerset, literally translated means 'Land of the Summer People', and has been famous for its fruits of the land for centuries. Cheese Somerset is the home of Cheddar Cheese, you can still see it being made today in Cheddar Gorge ...
Farmers Markets: There are numerous farmers markets in Somerset held each month. Below are details of these: Axbridge, 1st Saturday each month Market Square 9am - 1pm Tel: 01458 830 801 Burnham-on Sea, last Friday of each month High Street 9am ...
Cider Lovers Guide: Scumptious autumn breaks in Somerset All you need to know for a truly unique and distinctive special break this Autumn. Download the Cider Lover's Somerset Guide Download the Cycle through Cider Country Trail Somerset and cider go hand in hand ...
Cider Producers: From tiny orchards making farmhouse 'scrumpy', large commercial operations producing a smooth refined drink, to the delicious Apple Brandy and the huge variety of refreshingly cool Apple Juices available - there has always been a strong association between Somerset and ...
Apple Juice Producers: From tiny orchards making farmhouse 'scrumpy', large commercial operations producing a smooth refined drink, to the delicious Apple Brandy and the huge variety of refreshingly cool Apple Juices available - there has always been a strong association between Somerset and ...
Authentic Cheddar: World Cheese Award for Cheddar Made in Cheddar The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company has won a World Cheese Award for the world's only authentic Cheddar Cheese - the only one made and matured entirely within the Parish of Cheddar. John ...
Weston Hotels and Restaurants Association: The following list features hotels and restaurants in Weston-super-Mare and the surrounding area that have received awards from the Weston-super-Mare Hotels and Restaurants Association. Please contact the individual establishment to obtain further details and to make enquiries regarding availability and ...

Planning Your Trip

Just 2-3 hours from London and Birmingham! The M5 and A303 runs right through the heart of the County, Bristol and Exeter Airports are close by, and Taunton Train Station feeds most major stations. Information Centres Travel Information Map of ...

Information Centres: Enhance your stay in Somerset There are a variety of types of Information centres in Somerset, all of which provide different levels of services. Official Information Centres Information Centres that are Official Parntners of Visit Britain and conform to ...
Travel: By Train: There are mainline stations at Taunton, Yeovil Junction and Castle Cary (also at Bristol, Bath and Weston) - all are served by regular daily services from all over the country. If you wish to bring a bicycle, please ...
Map of Somerset, England: Back to previous page Google map of Somerset and surrounding area ...
Accessible Somerset: Here you can find information on Tourist Information Centres, Shop Mobility, Accessible Toilets and other useful links and contacts. In addition, for accessible walks across Somerset follow this link to Walks with Wheelchairs.com and for families with push chairs and ...
Dogs on Beaches: Weston-super-Mare The area between Royal Sands and the Grand Pier is a dog free area from 1 May until 30 September, dogs are welcome in this area from 1 October until 30 April. Dogs are welcome all year round in ...

Photo Gallery

History & Heritage Food and Drink Festivals and Events Exmoor & Rural Beauty Houses and Gardens Family Holidays Escape from it All Somerset Coast Active Somerset So Somerset ...

Active Somerset: Cycling on the Blackdown Hills Activity Centres Walking on the Blackdowns Wimbleball Lake Walkers on Exmoor Superb Golf Courses Watchet Marina ...
Escape from it All: Mother and baby in the countryside Brendon Bridge on Exmoor Angler Accessible Countryside Cycling on the Blackdowns Exploring Somerset houses and gardens Pamper yourself Berrow near Burnham-on-Sea Couple sitting on grass at Brean ...
Exmoor and Rural Beauty: Exmoor Ponies View of Porlock Bay from Exmoor Exmoor ...
Family Holidays: Mother and child in the countryside Child sitting on a sandy beach Family with children riding ponies A taste of Somerset Children's festival Splashing about Weston-super-Mare Weston-super-Mare Berrow near Burnham-on-Sea Family splashing ...
Festivals and Events: Battle of Sedgemoor Frome Show Air Shows Glastonbury festival Minehead hobby horse Motorcycle beach race Somerset Art Week Carnival Sport of Kings World-class Somerset crikcet Children's dance festival ...
Food & Drink: A Dunster lunch Cheese making Somerset cheese producers proud of their produce Selection of cheese Enjoying a cream tea Farmers market Local beer Smoked eels Superb local produce A warming Somerset platter ...
History & Heritage: Dunster Castle Taunton's historic castle and museum Glastonbury Tor Glastonbury Abbey Somerset carnivals Wells Cathedral Willow working Glastonbury Tor Nunney Castle The imposing ruins of Nunney Castle Peat moors ...
Houses and Gardens: Barrington Cout Hestercombe Gardens Montacute House Barrington Court Hestercombe Gardens ...
So Somerset: Exmoor Cider and Cheese Superb Countryside Willow Man Cheddar Gorge Glastonbury Tor Wells Cathedral Wonderful Coast ...
Somerset Coast: Burnham-on-Sea Porlock harbour Sunset on the coast Take a seat Watchet marina Clevedon Pier Clevedon Pier Portishead Marina Weston-super-Mare Kite flying on the beach Family splashing in water at Brean Beach ...

Get Ideas and Offers

For breaks, holidays and days out in Somerset Our e-newsletters are a great way of keeping up to date with holiday ideas, offers and information on Somerset. Indeed many of our ideas and offers appear in the newsletters first before ...

Destination Information

Back to previous page ...

Request Brochure

...

Join our Mailing List

Accessibility

We believe in access to information over the Internet for all. This Accessibility Statement provides an overview of the accessibility features we have implemented on this website. If you have any questions regarding the accessibility of this site, please contact ...

Data Protection

This page explains how Somerset County Council uses any information you give to us, and the ways in which we protect your privacy. We are committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. Under the ...

Site Credits

The Visit Somerset website was created and is powered by: www.newmind.co.uk All conceptual website design and flash animations are by: www.halomedia.co.uk The Visit Somerset project and website is supported and fuinded by: ...

Trade

...

Advertise on Site

...

Contact Us

Visitor Enquiries & Information Somerset (in general) Please contact the Somerset Visitor Centre Tel: 01934 750833 Somerset (particular areas) Please contact one of our Information Centres Website Please contact us . Or write to: Visit Somerset Somerset Tourism Somerset ...

Taunton

...

Weston-super-Mare

...

Itineraries

...