iKnow Somerset
Central Somerset Accommodation
The magnificent Wells Cathedral is a must see in central Somerset
Glastonbury Tor rises up out of the Somerset Levels
Fantastic views over Cheddar and the Mendips from Cheddar Gorge
Even the Tourist Information Centres are in historic buildings
Central Somerset is a mix of the rolling Mendips and the flat Somerset Levels
Wells, the smallest city in England and historic centre 
The Somerset Levels, great for walking, cycling and getting away from it all
Explore the historic villages and market towns of central SomersetCentral Somerset Tourist Information Mendip Hills Somerset Levels Glastonbury
Central Somerset contains the Mendip Hills which are great for walking, caving and outdoor activities. The world famous showcaves attractions, Cheddar Gorge and Caves and Wookey Hole, also lie in the Mendips. The flatter land around the Mendips are the Somerset Levels which contain the largest areas of wetland habitats in Britain.
The towns and villages of Central Somerset are steeped in history from Glastonbury's links with King Arthur and the Isle of Avalon, Glastonbury Abbey and the Tor to the smaller medieval market towns like Shepton Mallet. There is also England's smallest city Wells with its beautiful cathedral. This area mixes ancient history with more modern pastimes like the Glastonbury Music Festival and events at The Royal Bath and West Showground.
Glastonbury Tourist Information
Glastonbury, where the streets are fragranced with the aroma of patchouli and joss sticks, is set within the Somerset Levels - a low lying area of marshes and fenland where the ditches, rhynes, cross the landscape. Glastonbury Tor is the most prominent landmark rising above the town and is thought to be the fabled Isle of Avalon as the sea did once lap at the base of the Tor. Even when the land was drained and the sea receded, the marshlands that surrounded it would have been difficult to negotiate when in flood.
Glastonbury is steeped in spiritual legend and is believed to be the birthplace of Christianity where the first British church was built to house the Holy Grail. There is also a strong link with Glastonbury and the Arthurian legend that Glastonbury is the Isle of Avalon where King Arthur was taken to recover from his wounds and where his sword Excalibur was forged. Much of this legend is due to the monks at Glastonbury Abbey having claimed to have discovered Arthur's remains along with his wife's. In 1191 excavations in the Abbey's grounds revealed an oak coffin with an iron cross and an inscription "Here lies King Arthur in the island of Avalon" in which the two bodies were believed to be that of King Arthur and his Queen, Guinevere. However, the truth of this latter discovery is somewhat shrouded in doubt. Glastonbury is not just a Christian centre for spirituality.
Glastonbury is at a junction with several ley lines that can be traced to other spiritual sites such as Stonehenge. These ley lines are said to resonate mystical energy making Glastonbury one of the most magical centres in England if not the world. People have long been making he journey to Glastonbury from all over the world either as a Christian pilgrimage or to seek more New Age spiritual well-being.
Glastonbury is associated the world over with the annual Glastonbury Festival, formally known as the Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts and often shortened to "Glasto". The Festival is actually held on Michael Eavis's land at Pilton which is nearer Shepton Mallet to the north east of Glastonbury. Glastonbury Festival attracts bands from all over the world and becomes a tented metropolis over the August weekend it's usually held.
Street Clarks Shoes Clarks Outlet Village
Just a mile from Glastonbury is Street, a village at the eastern end of the Polden Hills. Its name is often said to originate from the Roman "strata" meaning paved road from the time the Fosse Way was built near Glastonbury - although archaeologists dispute this. The village can be traced back to the Dark Ages when a cluster of huts was the first settlement. Street's population has made a living through quarrying, knitting, weaving until Clarks shoe makers brought much needed employment to the village.
Today Street is known for Clarks Village shopping outlet and attracts visitors from all over the South West. It is a handy base from which to explore the Polden Hills, Glastonbury and the Mendips.
Mendips Tourist Information
The Mendips are a ridge of carboniferous limestone hills that run from Bristol in the west to Frome in the east of Somerset. They contrast sharply with the flat Somerset Levels which flow out south from the base of the Mendip Hills. The limestone has been valuable as a commodity in the past and there are many quarries dotted around the Mendips as well as the magnificent caves carved by water seeping through them for thousands of years at Cheddar and Wookey Hole.
Outdoor activities are popular in the Mendips. There are plenty of caving and climbing opportunities and certainly gives you a different perspective of the area. There are plenty of walks crossing the hills and walking the hills will give you the best views of the area. If you fancy less strenuous walks you'll find riverside walk and gentle strolls down in the valleys. Mountain biking trails have also been identified throughout the Mendip Hills with a variety of difficulty gradings so there's something to suit everyone.
Cheddar Historic Village Cheddar Gorge and Caves
Cheddar, famous for cheese, caves and Cheddar Gorge, despite its busy-ness in summer, is still only a village albeit a pretty large one for these parts. Its stature has surpassed surrounding towns due to its historical importance for farming and cheese making. Since the caves were discovered tourism has grown throughout the twentieth century and become the main source of the village's popularity.
Cheddar Caves and Gorge is one of the most visited attractions in the UK. Cheddar Caves attracts most visitors where you can go underground and explore these fantastic natural formations. There are several other attractions as part of the complex that explains the history of the caves or where you can get some fantastic views of Cheddar Gorge and the surrounding Mendip countryside. If you want to experience rock climbing or caving for yourself, Rocksport at the caves provide guided instruction
Due to the thousands of visitors who come here every year you'll find a good choice of shops, tea rooms, eateries, pubs and an ice cream parlour so you definitely won't go hungry while you're here. Cheddar Cheese is still made in Cheddar Gorge and you can take a trip round the dairy to see how it's made.
Wells Tourist Information Wells Cathedral
Wells is probably the most visited of the historic Mendip towns. In fact Wells is a city, England's smallest city, due to the presence of Wells Cathedral. However, Wells still retains the feel of a small provincial market town despite its grandiose historic architecture.
It is a very pleasant place to walk round with greens, gardens and waterside walks around the Bishop's Palace and Wells Cathedral. There are no other words to describe Wells Cathedral than stunning! It stands out even on the approach to Wells. It is a testament to the beauty of Gothic architecture and there are so many features you'll want to set aside a good amount of time to explore them all.
Many of the historic buildings around Wells were built with funding from the church. The medieval Vicar's Close is the most famous street in Wells and is the oldest continuously inhabited street in Europe. The houses that line the Close are still home to the cathedral's choir as was intended when they were originally built.
If you fancy a spot of shopping there's a good centre with a wide range of shops both high street names and independents. It's an excellent base for exploring the surrounding Mendip countryside and of course Wookey Hole Caves nearby.
Wookey Hole Family Days Out
Wookey Hole village lies to the west of Wells in amongst the Mendip Hills. It's a small village that is overshadowed by the Wookey Hole Caves attraction nearby. The village does however make a good watering hole or accommodation base with hotels and B&Bs. Nearby is Ebbor Gorge National Nature Reserve with its fantastic wooded slopes and limestone gorge.
Like Cheddar, Wookey Hole is Somerset's other showcaves attraction. These caves have been created through the natural erosion of the Mendip limestone hills by the River Axe that flows underground through the caves. There is evidence that man inhabited the caves as long ago as 50,000 years ago. They were extensively excavated in the early twentieth century which opened them up to visitors to the area. Today you can take a guided tour through the caves to find out all about the history of the caves, how the beautiful rock formations were formed and something of the legends that surround them.
The Wookey Hole attraction is a fun packed family day out and it's not just the caves you can explore. On the site is a mill that has had several uses over time the latest of which was a paper mill. There is also Dinosaur Valley that contains twenty life-size models of all sorts of dinosaurs, the largest collection of Edwardian Penny Arcade machines and The Mirror Maze.
Shepton Mallet Royal Bath and West Showground East Somerset Railway
Shepton Mallet, five miles east of Wells, is a mix of ancient medieval town and industrial centre within the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Shepton Mallet is a handy base from which to explore The Mendips and the surrounding towns and villages such as Radstock, Frome, Glastonbury, Castle Cary, Wells and Wookey Hole.
There is some excellent walking country around the town and the Mendip Council and Mendip Society websites (links right) have further information on walks and events in the Mendips around Shepton Mallet.
Just outside Shepton Mallet is the Royal Bath and West Showground, one of the biggest venues in Somerset. There is a full programme of events held at the Showground throughout the year including the ever popular agricultural show, the Bath and West Show.
If it's a day for the kids or railway enthusiasts you'll find the East Somerset Railway at Cranmore to the east of Shepton Mallet good fun. Themed days are held such as Thomas the Tank Engine days or Santa Specials at Christmas. You can even have a go at driving an engine too!
Somerset Levels
The Somerset Levels and Moors is the largest area of lowland wet grassland and wetland habitats in Britain covering 35,000 hectares. They stretch across the lowlands between the Mendip and Quantock Hills and are what is left of a once wider area of flooded fenland. The Somerset Levels have eight rivers and drains running through it: the Kenn, Yeo, Axe, Brue, Huntspill, King's Sedgemoor Drain, Parrett and Tone. The land here is only a few metres above sea level and is criss-crossed with ditches, rhynes (pronounced reens) and rivers that take the huge amounts of water through the landscape. Glastonbury Tor is the most prominent landmark in the Levels rising up 521 feet.
In days gone by this was actually an island surrounded by sea and later inaccessible marsh hence it becoming known as the Isle of Avalon. The marshes that lie all around Glastonbury and as far west as the coast are collectively called The Avalon Marshes. Shapwick Heath, Ham Wall, Westhay Moor, Catcott Lows wildlife reserves all fall within The Avalon Marshes.
Today these wetlands are renowned for internationally important numbers of waterfowl who come here to feed and roost in winter. In summer waders come here to breed and it is one of the best places in lowland England to see breeding waders. Cattle grazing, hay and silage production maintain these large areas of countryside.
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