TRAVEL GUIDE

www.oliverstravels.com As one of the sunniest and most rural counties in the UK, there’s plenty in Somerset to make a summer break totally memorable. This bucolic English county is prime chocolate-box territory and a real rural delight – all quiet corkscrew lanes, green pastures, cider orchards, gentle hills and dinky villages. Sleepy and slow-paced, Somerset is a popular go-to escape for stressed city dwellers hoping to find some solace.

SOMERSET 101

CURRENCY POUND TIME ZONE GMT ELECTRICAL THREE PIN HIGHEST TEMP. 21° C LANGUAGE ENGLISH LOWEST TEMP. 4° C EMERGENCY 999 PEAK SEASON JUNE- SEPT

www.oliverstravels.com TRANSPORT TALK

BY WHEELS BY BIKE BY TAXI

The advantage to driving in Somerset is well-suited to You’ll find taxi services in Somerset is the freedom it cycling. Some popular and around towns at taxi gives you. You can visit all scenic routes include and ranks. Alternatively, taxis the hidden-away nooks Axbridge Weston-Super- can be pre booked through and crannies where public Mare Loop and the several local companies. transport doesn’t go. Cheddar Burnham Loop.

BY WATER BY AIR BY BUS OR TRAIN

The closest ferry ports to Bristol Airport is the closest Public transport around Somerset include airport and has quite a few Somerset is fast, efficient Plymouth, Poole and international flights. and environmentally Weymouth , served by London Heathrow, Exeter friendly. You can plan your Brittany Ferries and Condor and Birmingham journey around Somerset Ferries. International are also close easily with Journey Planner. by.

www.oliverstravels.com HIDDEN GEMS

Mary’s Church in Huish Episcopi Famous stained glass artist Sir Edward Burne-Jones made this little-known number at Mary’s Church in Huish Episcopi. It depicts the Nativity of Jesus and is one of the artist’s finest. Somerset’s Coleridge Way An 82-kilometre footpath that cuts through the windswept, heather-clad moorland of the Quantock and hills, as well as .

Glastonbury

Taunton

Yeovil

Dunster This medieval enclave is wonderfully picturesque and Burrow Mump history seems to seep from It’s a dead ringer for the famous every orifice. Glastonbury peak and even includes its very own ruined St. Michael’s church at the top.

Hidden Gems Picks for Kids Best Activities Foodie Delights TOP PICKS FOR KIDS

All Aboard Play Disc Golf Meet Bambi

There are plenty of classic Head over to Mendip Anything involving animals railways that run through Outdoor Pursuits for a tends to go down well with Somerset, so grab a ticket game of disc golf. Children kids. Deer are no exception. and take a ride! With aged six and over can Head to South West Deer The West Somerset come see what the fuss is to see these gracious and Railway you can hop off about at this woodland 10- gentle creatures, tucked and explore whenever you hole course. away in rural Somerset. like.

Play Around Solve Clues Venture to the Cave

Kids are unlikely to get fed Why not bring a whole new Bring your little ones to this up at this fantastic all- dimension to a family limestone cavern complex weather adventure park. walk? Treasure Trails turns and wait for the smiles to Let them run riot in the an ordinary ramble into a light up their faces. Learn indoor play barn, sliding spy mission, treasure hunt the magical tales of down fireman’s poles and or murder mystery that’ll Wookey Hole including the crawling through mouse keep the whole family on legend of the Witch of tunnels with Puxton Park. their toes. Wookey herself.

www.oliverstravels.com MAP IT OUT: WHERE TO FIND THE BEST FOR KIDS

Play Around

All Aboard Play Disc Golf Venture to the Cave Glastonbury Solve Clues

Taunton

Yeovil Meet Bambi CROWD-PLEASERS: BEST ACTIVITIES

Take a Trip Sink into Hot Water Admire Modern Art

Having been in the history It would be a shame to be It’s rare to find a gallery of tour game for more than 25 within a stone’s throw of this eminence in a non- years now, Mad Max Tours Bath, Britain’s most famous urban scenario. have ample local spa town, without giving Nevertheless, Hauser & knowledge and bags of yourself a bit of TLC in its Wirth galleries showcase a know-how when it comes blissful, natural healing fantastic selection of to showing groups a good waters at Thermae Bath modern art in a converted time. Spa. barn setting.

Try Bauble-Blowing Explore the Depths Swing a Club

If you’re after something The world famous Cheddar Club together for a round totally unusual, why not try Gorge is a great place to of golf at Burnham and a spot of bauble-blowing start exploring Somerset’s Berrow, which contains two at Bath Aqua Glass? You caves, and offers relaxing equally bucolic and can even take your own- and gentle walks and more immaculately kept links blown decoration home for challenging caving courses: the nine-hole yourself (perfect for this experiences. Channel Course and the year’s Christmas tree!) particularly scenic Championship Course.

www.oliverstravels.com MAP IT OUT: WHERE TO FIND THE BEST FOR GROUPS

Try Bauble -Blowing Explore the Depths Swing a Club Take a Trip Sink into Hot Water Glastonbury

Admire Modern Art

Taunton

Yeovil BEST FOODIE DELIGHTS

Acorn Kitchen

Cheddar Gorge Sheppy’s Farm

Perhaps the most famous Fancy a bit of a change? Sheppy’s Farm isn’t just cheese in the world, Why not go veggie? great for foodies, it makes Cheddar has its origins Bath’s Acorn Vegetarian for a cracking family day here in Somerset.. Visitors Kitchen regularly switches out too. Adults can enjoy can tour the The Cheddar its menu around, so you sampling the farm’s Gorge Cheese Co. to see can get the best seasonal wonderful cider while the where the cheese is veggies cooked in bold kids can enjoy a glass of produced as well taste and brilliant new ways. apple juice and a wander several samples. around the farm.

The Pony & Trap The Ethicurean

Dishes to Try

The Pony & Trap isn’t just a A Bath Chap is a sort of If you’re looking for award- pub, though you can breaded pig’s cheek and winning food served in certainly sit down and makes for a great snack or truly beautiful enjoy a pint, as well as a sandwich filling. The surroundings, try The meal or two. See what’s up region’s crab is often citied Ethicurean. Their menu is chef Josh Eggleton’s as being some of the best something to be savoured, sleeve, order the tasting in the UK – try a traditional with local ingredients and menu and prepare to be crab salad to make sure simple preparation. amazed! the tasty crustacean is at the heart of your meal.

www.oliverstravels.com MAP IT OUT: WHERE TO FIND THE BEST FOR FOODIES

The Ethicurean Acorn Kitchen The Pony & Trap Cheddar Gorge Glastonbury

Sheppy’s Farm Taunton

Yeovil We’d like to think we know travel pretty well. Since we first hatched Oliver’s Travels in 2003 it’s been essentially all we’ve talked about. You could call us obsessed.

Our extensive blog, Oliver’s Journal has got tons of information and inspiration on locations across Europe and the Caribbean. It’s a one-stop shop for family-friendly holiday fun, the best group activities, foodie finds and a good dose of adventure. If you found this travel guide useful, (we hope you did!), you can find a whole host more on the blog, too!

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