No matter what you like to get up to when you’re away, holidays in Somerset can cater to your every whim. Whether you’re a die-hard music festival fan or a foodie fiend, you’ll be spoiled for choice when you realise just how much this destination actually offers. Somerset travel doesn’t have to be hard, because our holiday homes are often the perfect place for myriad of adventures, which we’re about to delve into.
Food
Obviously this is one of the first categories we’re going to talk about, being foodies ourselves. Somerset is well-known for a few top notch British staples, like cider and cheddar cheese – is there a better combo of foods to be known for?! We’ll wait…). Whether you’re a fan of farmhouse scrumpy cider or more of a sparkling fan, Somerset has connections to over 156 varieties of apple and you can go and visit some of the breweries and distilleries – fan favourite being Sheppy’s House of Cider. For the cheese? Why, it can only be the OG’s of cheddar – The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company.
Festivals
Probably most well-known as playing host to the world-famous Glastonbury Music Festival since 1970, Somerset knows how to throw a good festival or carnival. With a social calendar bursting with events, Somerset’s beating heart is its appreciation for the arts. Their county carnival season ritually takes place across the whole region through Autumn (since the 1600’s), with Bridgwater being known for the largest illuminated carnival in Europe!
Outdoor adventures
Holidays in Somerset are perfect for people who like to throw themselves into outdoor pursuits. Being a region of contrasting landscapes, there’s a whole host of activities to choose from. You can go fossil hunting or sailing on the coast, canoeing and windsurfing on the lakes and rivers, go climbing at the hair-raising Cheddar Gorge and on the limestone cliffs of Mendip Hills, or take it down a notch with one of the many cycling and walking trails.
Underground activities
If being above land bores you, then no worries, because there’s a whole underground world waiting to be explored! People come from all over the world to explore the cave systems in Somerset, because it’s host to so many – Cheddar Gorge, Wookey Hole, Cox’s Cave and well-regarded Gough’s Cave (where a 9000-year-old complete skeleton was found, and is now on display at the Natural History Museum). Plus, a new one – Reservoir Hole – which was recently found in the Mendip Hills in 2012.
Heritage
Somerset is an historic region, and its heritage has been well-preserved in the form of museums, galleries, castles, towns and even whole cities (Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in itself). Plus, the region has the third largest number of Grade I listed properties in England, with many of its buildings, landmarks and gardens being looked after by the National Trust. So if it’s a heritage holiday in Somerset you’re looking for – you’ve got it in abundance, with many of our holiday homes in close proximity to historic sites!