iKnow Somerset
- Taunton
- Around Taunton
- Mid West
- Exmoor National Park
- Porlock
- Dulverton
- Bridgwater
- Quantock Hills
- Dunster
West Somerset Accommodation
The old docks were once the hub of Bridgwater
Taunton has a mix of historic buildings and modern shopping centres
Somerset Carnivals bring Autumn fun fairs to Taunton
Chocolate box villages in the Quantock Hills
Heather moorland on Exmoor - excellent walking country
Exmoor villages have historic B&B accommodation
Thatched cottages are a feature of the villages around ExmoorWest Somerset Bridgwater Taunton Quantock Hills Exmoor National Park
West Somerset has some of the county's most spectacular scenery within it. The Quantock Hills rise up from the Somerset Levels and head west to the coast at Watchet. The Quantocks have long been an inspirational place with beautiful wooded combes and views out across Somerset as far as Glastonbury and over Bridgwater Bay to the Welsh coast. Heading further west takes you into Exmoor National Park famous for its heather moor, red deer and Exmoor ponies. These landscapes offer fantastic walking opportunities with a network of footpaths and walking routes.
Bridgwater and Taunton are two of Somerset's main towns with excellent shopping, cafes, restaurants, pubs, museums and historic buildings and town trails. They also put on fantastic illuminated carnivals in the Autumn months to celebrate Guy Fawkes' Gunpowder Plot that was masterminded by a Somerset born man!
Bridgwater Tourist Information
Bridgwater is the main town of the Sedgemoor area of Somerset. It is a major business and shopping centre. The town centre makes for pleasant shopping with historic streets, covered shopping malls and plenty of cafes, restaurants and pubs to keep you going. The highlight of the year comes in November for Bridgwater as the finale to the Somerset Illuminated Carnivals takes place around firework night. Don't miss a dazzling display of illuminated floats and music that stems from a celebration of Guy Fawkes Gunpowder Plot.
In and around Bridgwater you'll find plenty of historic interest. Town trails take you from medieval to Georgian history and architecture and there are a series of blue plagues across the town highlighting particular places of interest. Out to the south east of Bridgwater you'll find sites that played important roles in the Battle of Sedgemoor including the battle site itself at Westonzoyland. For more exploration of the countryside around Bridgwater pick up The River Parrett Trail that takes you through the heart of the Somerset Levels up to Bridgwater Bay.
Bridgwater has an interesting history which is often overlooked in favour of the shopping on offer! You can find out all about the town's most famous son, Admiral Robert Blake, at the Blake Museum. Alternatively to find out more about Bridgwater's industrial past check out the Brick and Tile Museum at the old docks with its last remaining tile kiln.
The arts are very much alive in Bridgwater too. The Bridgwater Arts Centre is a community arts venue for theatre, dance, music, visual arts and film. Along with regularly changing art exhibitions you should be able to find something to suit your taste or even get involved in classes or workshops.
Taunton Tourist Information
Taunton is Somerset's largest town and county centre. It's a good mix of historic buildings and modern shopping centre so should easily keep you occupied. Although you'll find a vast range of shops, restaurants, cafes, pubs and clubs it retains its market town traditions such as the Farmers Markets which are still held weekly in the High Street. Continental and specialist markets also make an appearance throughout the year.
Somerset's County Museum is in Taunton within the grand surroundings of Taunton Castle. It makes a good introduction to the social and natural history of Somerset before you head out further afield in the Somerset countryside.
The area around Taunton, Taunton Vale, is dotted with cider farms and ringed by the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Brendan and Quantock Hills to the west.
Taunton Racecourse is just outside the town centre and has a full programme of horse racing fixtures throughout the year. For a family day out or just a leisurely way to explore West Somerset take a trip on the historic West Somerset Railway that runs from Taunton to Minehead stopping off at a whole host of Somerset villages on the way.
Quantock Hills Walks Somerset
The Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has long been a source of inspiration due to the wonderful views afforded from the hills and the mosaic of habitats that clothe them. The Quantock villages are everything you could imagine from traditional Somerset villages with thatched cottages and historic buildings in every one.
The best way to explore the Quantocks is to take some of the many public rights of way that criss cross the hills or the circular walks that you can find on the Quantock Hills AONB website. Mountain biking and horse riding are also popular and there is a network of bridleways within the Quantocks. If wildlife is your particular interest there are several nature reserves worth a visit and Somerset Wildlife Trust has a visitor centre at Fyne Court with lots of information to help you explore.
Nether Stowey is just one of the traditional Quantocks villages nestled amongst the beautiful Somerset countryside. It is famous as being the home of poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge who lived here and wrote some of his best known poems: Christabel, Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Kubla Khan. His former home is now owned by the National Trust and is open to visitors as a museum.
From the cottage you can pick up the long distance walking trail The Coleridge Way. This will take you through the Quantock Hills and on to Exmoor National Park.
Exmoor National Park Walking Holidays
Exmoor National Park lies in West Somerset and stretches into Devon. The vast majority of the National Park is within Somerset. It covers 267 square miles of heather moorland, farmland, ancient wooded valleys, spectacular coastal cliffs and rivers. For a long time Exmoor was a Royal Forest and hunting ground and much of that tradition has continued today and is part and parcel of Exmoor's culture. Exmoor is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit. The small windy roads take you through the varied countryside which is punctuated with historic villages such as Dunster, Dulverton, Wheddon Cross, Exford and Simonsbath.
Dunster is one of the most picturesque villages within Exmoor National Park. It retains its medieval character with narrow, windy streets lined with historic and characterful buildings, some of which are thatched. The eleventh century Dunster Castle still dominates the village towering over it from its hilltop position. Dunster has a good range of independent shops and tea rooms and makes a beautiful place to stay while exploring Exmoor and the Somerset Coast nearby.
Porlock is one of several typical Exmoor villages with thatched cottages, tall brick chimneys nestling around the foot of the Exmoor hills. Porlock Hill in renowned for its steepness. It rises 400 feet in under two miles with a gradient of 1 in 4! Alternatively you can take the scenic toll road with fantastic views of the coast. Porlock itself has a good range of accommodation, shops and eateries - many serving up tasty local produce. Porlock is an excellent base for exploring Exmoor either by foot, cycle or car. Heading west to the coast will take you past the sweeping shingle Porlock Bay and on to the pretty hamlet, Porlock Weir.
Dulverton is the main centre for the southern part of Exmoor. It is an historic village where fishing, shooting and hunting are strong traditions that remain today. There is also excellent walking country nearby with riverside and woodland walks or more strenuous walks up to the moors. The upland oak woodlands in the Barle Valley are some of the best ancient woodlands in the country.
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