A land of heritage, traditions and beautiful landscapes is what the town of Somerset is about. Its historic architecture from thatched cottages, stone bridges, and medieval villages will reveal to you its cultural roots and yesteryears lifestyle. A look into its natural gems, like the rolling hills and caves, will give you a hint of enigmatic secrets of the prehistoric past. Somerset is also the home of Wells - the smallest city in England - and Bath, which is a UNESCO world heritage site with charming villages and towns. Its culinary contribution is also influential as the world-famous Cheddar cheese also originated from its village of Cheddar. There are certainly a lot of family-friendly experiences to try out in Somerset County. If you are planning a vacation here, or you’re just curious about its heritage and culture, read on to learn about the things to do in Somerset, UK.
1. Join a tour around the Shepton Mallet Prison
Incepted in 1624, Shepton Mallet Prison was a correction facility needed to accommodate prisoners from the Eastern region of England. Renowned as the oldest jail in operation until its closure in 2013, this spot reflected how inmates in the area were treated. Over the decades, it shifted its role from being a civilian prison to a military jail.
Now, this facility was reopened as a point of interest to travelers. You can either go for a self-guided tour or enjoy a trip with a knowledgeable guide who’ll give you a brief background of all the events that transpired in this spot. Some prison cells were repurposed as escape rooms for added fun for the visitors. If you’re brave enough, you can join paranormal investigations within the prison and have a fun ghost-hunting experience.
Shepton Mallet Prison
Address: Frithfield Ln, Shepton Mallet BA4 5LU, United Kingdom
Website: Shepton Mallet Prison
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 10 GBP (12.33 USD) for children; 15 GBP (18.49 USD) for adults
2. Enjoy family fun at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
It’s amazing what you can capture simply with a phone and a little time watching Ufford and Prince
Posted by Noah's Ark Zoo Farm on Thursday, January 26, 2023
Can’t find a suitable trip for the whole family? A tour around Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm is perfect for kids and adults alike. Inside this sanctuary, you can get close to some of the geese, goats, llamas, and alpacas. You can also see farm animals such as Tamworth pigs, donkeys, and jersey cows thriving in peace.
For those with kids, bring them to the zoo farm’s rainbow slide area and elephant play zone where they can giggle and have fun. You can also try some baked goods, jams, and biscuits from sustainable suppliers from its Farm Shop. And for those who love studying wildlife species, there are also educational events staged at this place of interest.
Noah's Ark Zoo Farm
Address: Clevedon Rd, Wraxall, Clevedon BS48 1PG, United Kingdom
Website: Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm
Opening hours: 10:30am - 5pm (daily)
Price: Free entry for children under 2 years old; 16.75 GBP (20.64 USD) from children aged 2 to 16 years old; 18.35 GBP (22.62 USD) for students and senior citizens; 20.85 GBP (25.70 USD) for adults
3. Go biking along the Bridgewater and Taunton Canal
Should you want to see the countryside and villages in Somerset, follow the towpath of the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal. This area is ideal for outdoor activities such as cycling and walking. The towpath is surrounded by flowers and greens along its whole stretch. Along the way, you’ll see swing bridges and the Somerset Space, which displays the sculpture of the Solar System made by Pip Youngman. The differently colored and sized sculptures in this family park are round in shape. Each sculpture depicts a particular part of the solar system.
Somerset Space Walk
Address: North Petherton, Taunton TA7 0DQ, United Kingdom
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
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4. Fly hawks and owls at Exmoor National Park in Porlock (from USD 66.0)
Have a personal encounter with owls and hawks in this two-and-a-half-hour bird-flying experience, which is surely a terrific activity for children. The activity will take place on the grounds of a 600-year-old farmstead surrounded by woods. During the fun activity, you will see a collection of birds and learn the natural behavior and different personalities of owls and hawks. You will also be introduced to how to hunt and train them. For a more interactive experience, you will be given the opportunity to fly owls and hawks. After the flying activity, you can relax and see the 15th-century barn, which was the original kitchen of a medieval farmhouse. The experience will be concluded with a treat of cake and cream tea.
Owl and Hawk Half Day Flying Experience
Duration: 2.5 hours
5. Explore the history of Somerset at Taunton Castle
History buffs will adore visiting Taunton Castle, a 12th-century structure aptly located in the heart of Taunton town. This castle served as a Saxon fort, a religious foundation site, a prison, and assizes during the English Civil War. With its long history, a visit to its grounds will show you the events of the bygone era in Somerset. At present, this historical center has housed the Museum of Somerset for over a century. Events that tell about the history of the castle and Somerset are also conducted here.
Taunton Castle
Address: Taunton Castle, Castle Green, Taunton Somerset TA1 4AA
6. Learn how to bake bread (from USD 89.0)
Feel like a master baker and bake three kinds of loaf bread from start to finish in this hands-on pursuit. During the workshop, you will learn about the kinds of flour, and the different baking styles and traditions. You’ll also get recipe cards and wrap the loaf you cook to take it home. One of the great activities for visitors, this unique leisure takes place in the open kitchen of the Sandpits Heating Centre.
Artisan Bread Baking in Somerset
Duration: 4 hours
7. Hike to Glastonbury Tor for breathtaking views
This prominent Somerset landmark can be seen even from a distance. This hill has a conical shape with a top that is leveled. Hiking is possible and reaching its uppermost part will give you a good view of the county and its surrounding towns. A tower, which was a ruin of a stone church, can also be seen at the top of this amazing attraction. Terraces can be found on its hillside, where you can sit to breathe in the fresh air.
Glastonbury Tor
Address: Glastonbury Somerset BA6 8BG, United Kingdom.
Opening hours: 24hours (daily)
Price: Free
8. Have a glimpse at your past life using Past Life Regression meditation (from USD 95.0)
This activity will give you a peek at the techniques of past life regression. It is conducted in the Rainbow shop located in Prince Risborough. During this session, you will be surrounded by a collection of crystals and metaphysical things. This flexible activity can be conducted at your most convenient time. You will also be hosted by Jane, who is into reconnecting with ancient wisdom.
Past Life Regression one to one
Duration: 2 hours
9. Learn about the history of naval aviation at Fleet Air Arm Museum in Ilchester
Featuring various historic naval aircraft, Fleet Air Arm Museum allows you to get up close and personal with rare flying vehicles. On your visit to the museum, you will learn fascinating stories about naval aviation through the ages. The museum houses four halls, and each hall displays aircraft according to a particular theme. In Hall 1, you’ll see the development of naval aviation. Hall 2 shows you World War II aircraft. Hall 3 enables you to see naval aircraft in its natural setting. Hall 4 displays more special aircraft and teaches you about the theory of flight. Aircraft you’ll see here include airships, seaplanes, carrier-borne aircraft, bi-planes, and modern helicopters.
Fleet Air Arm Museum
Address: RNAS Yeovilton, Ilchester BA22 8HT, United Kingdom
Website: Fleet Air Arm Museum
Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 10am - 4:30pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
Price: From 10GBP (12.91 USD)
10. Venture into the caves and cliffs of Cheddar George in Cheddar
Marvel at the towering limestone cliffs and stalactite caverns at Cheddar Gorge and Caves. Exploring the site allows you to see various flora and specialized plant species like Cheddar pink, Cheddar whitebeam, and Gough’s Rock. Wildlife observation in this natural attraction is also possible as the area has peaceful surroundings and serves as a habitat for a wide range of animals. You will also find out more about prehistoric stories including the ‘Cheddar Man’ which was discovered in the Cheddar caves. Also, you can take a glimpse of England’s biggest gorge. From this destination, you can extend the family fun at the nearby Animal Farm Adventure Park where lots of animals, a large outdoor play area, and more exciting activities await.
Cheddar Gorge & Caves
Address: Cheddar Gorge Cheddar Somerset BS27 3QF, United Kingdom
Website: Cheddar George
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
11. Admire the sunset view at Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare
A great way to conclude your day trip is to have a relaxing visit to Grand Pier. This fun-filled landmark is nestled along the stretch of beach with calm waters in Weston-super-Mare. Its amazing location makes it a good spot for water activities and viewing the seascape and sunset. Its building offers plenty of activities as it houses an indoor amusement park with a variety of exciting rides, arcade games, shops, cafes, and restaurants. With all these thrills available in one location, is unsurprising that this attraction is visited by thousands of visitors yearly.
Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare
Address: Marine Parade, Weston-super-Mare BS23 1AL, United Kingdom
Website: Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 1 GBP (1.29 USD)
12. Taste local delicacies on a walking tour of Bath (from USD 91.0)
Feast and enjoy yourself during this three-hour walking tour where you’ll visit different food shops. In this curated experience, you will learn more about the food scene in Bath. You will greet and meet different local artisans and see how they make their own local food products such as ice cream and pizza. You will also get to taste their food and non-alcoholic drinks. The maximum number of people per group in this activity is 10 people.
Food Heroes of Bath
Duration: 3 hours
Discover the marvels of Somerset
Somerset can take you back to the past, while still keeping you in the present. It gives you a peek, not only at its modern-day culture, but also at its history, heritage, and natural beauty. Pack your bags and wander around this town for outdoor recreation and a vacation to remember. You’ll surely discover and rediscover extraordinary marvels more than what you have previously read in many blog posts.
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