Somerset is a beautiful county with a wide variety of attractions. You can explore the towns of Frome and Glastonbury, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, and the Haynes International Motor Museum. It also has many historical buildings. These attractions are worth checking out, whether you are looking for a day out or a weekend getaway.
Frome
Frome is a civil parish in eastern Somerset and is a small town centred on the River Frome. The town is built on high ground in the Mendip Hills, with the River Frome running through its centre. The town is surrounded by countryside and has many places of interest.
The town is home to more than 500 listed buildings, some of which date back to the 15th century. The old centre is home to many small independent shops and cafes. During the 17th century, the town was home to industry, primarily textiles. Its earliest factories were located in the Trinity area, which has some of the oldest industrial buildings in England.
Frome is also a great destination for foodies and shopping enthusiasts. There are several excellent food stalls and an independent market, which usually takes place on the first Sunday of the month. The market features some of the best local craftspeople and food producers. There is also live music and a large selection of stalls for lunch and dinner.
Glastonbury
A place of legend and myth, Glastonbury is one of England’s most ancient settlements. As one of the first Christian settlements, it is also a pivotal site in Roman and Pagan mythology. Despite its historic importance, the town has a decidedly alternative vibe. There is a renowned festival, an ancient abbey, and plenty of esoteric shops. The town also boasts a beautiful high street filled with interesting shops and restaurants.
The town is a popular place for tourists to explore. The city is home to Glastonbury Abbey, which is located just a short walk from the town center. Founded in the 8th century, this abbey is a popular pilgrimage site. It is also thought to be the burial place of King Arthur. The bones and hair of King Arthur were discovered here during the monks’ excavations during the 12th century. While most of the abbey was destroyed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the site is still an important historical site for the region.
A trip to Glastonbury will be a magical experience. This small town has ancient spiritual connections with King Arthur and the Druids. It is a popular destination for New Age travellers as well. The town is especially magical during the summer solstice.
Clifton Suspension Bridge
The Clifton Suspension Bridge is 3.5 km west of Bristol city centre. It’s an ideal place to enjoy a leisurely stroll and admire the beautiful views of the surrounding area. You can even go on a guided tour to learn more about the bridge. The bridge has been open for over a century and is open to the public 24 hours a day. It is one of the most important buildings of the Victorian era and continues to play a vital role in the infrastructure of society.
The Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre is open to the public and is free to visit. The centre has a film showing the history of the bridge’s construction and many other interesting objects in its collection. There are also regular free events. There are also ticketed tours and activities and there are also plenty of activities for kids.
The bridge can be viewed from two sides, either from the outside or from within the towers. There are also tours of the bridge in its interior, which are only offered on rare occasions. Visitors can take free tours of the bridge during the week or pre-book an experience. In addition to the bridge, there are other attractions nearby like the Clifton Observatory, Giant’s Cave, and Leigh Woods.
Haynes International Motor Museum
The Haynes International Motor Museum is one of the UK’s largest motorbike and car exhibitions and has lots of family friendly activities. You can also find a kids play area there. The museum is open all year round. This place is ideal for families as it is free to enter.
The museum is located in Sparkford, 30 minutes’ drive from the M5 junction 25. It is a good idea to take public transport to get to Haynes International Motor Museum as it has many routes to get there. You can also walk. The Haynes International Motor Museum has over 400 cars on display that span the years from 1885 to the present. The museum also features a motor-themed play area for kids called Haynes Motorland. There are also coin-operated go-karts and a mini road system for children to enjoy.
For a truly fascinating day out, head to the Haynes International Motor Museum in Sparkford, Somerset. This award-winning attraction has over 400 automobiles and motorcycles on display from the early nineteenth century to the present day. It is the largest motor museum in Britain and contains everything from vintage racing cars to modern classics.
Tyntesfield
Tyntesfield is a beautiful National Trust estate near Bristol. The house was once home to the Gibbs family, and is now a family museum and play centre. It also boasts an extensive sculpture trail through the woodland, which features a treehouse and rope swing.
The beautiful gardens at Tyntesfield are still relatively unchanged since the turn of the century, and visitors can enjoy the Kitchen Garden, Rose Garden, Orangery, cut flower garden, glasshouses, and walled vegetable garden. The estate itself is 650 acres in size and includes a variety of parkland and woodland. The woodland area is full of wild flowers and offers spectacular views of the Somerset countryside.
The National Trust bought the house in 2002, after a fundraising campaign. Ten weeks after the purchase, the house opened to the public. Today, visitors can tour the house and the grounds, and more rooms are added to the tour as they are completed. There are a number of beautiful rooms and gardens on the grounds, and you can even walk through the aviary and summer house.
Montacute House
Montacute House is a late Elizabethan mansion in South Somerset with a beautiful garden. It is an excellent place for a romantic break. The house was built in 1570 and is now a National Trust property. There are tours available, and the house is a perfect place to spend an afternoon.
The Montacute House is set in 300 acres of land and boasts beautiful formal gardens. Its huge yew hedges have a distinctive style, and they were once trimmed to resemble irregular waves. The garden has an impressive fountain and the formal border surrounding the original entrance court is a riot of colour in August. The Montacute estate also used to contain glasshouses, and a large kitchen garden.
Montacute House is part of the National Trust Collection and has one of the longest Long Exhibitions in England. Long Exhibitions were intended to be a space for indoor practice. They were often lit by a lantern to highlight the scene. Sir Edward Phelips gathered together Montacute House for this purpose, and the Long Gallery is the ultimate example of this. From the Long Gallery, you can admire the town, the nursery, and the whole domain.
East Lambrook
This village is located halfway between London and Cornwall, and is a great place to stop on your way to the West Country. It is only four minutes from the South Petherton Hays End roundabout and three miles south of Yeovil (Cartgate) and six miles north-east of Ilminster. You can reach East Lambrook by following the brown tourist signs, and then continue down Silver Street, which is in the centre of the village, opposite the Rose & Crown pub.
There are a number of fun things to do in East Lambrook, and there are plenty of places for kids of all ages. The Adventure Park has more than 40 acres of space for kids to run and play. It offers tractor rides, bouncing pillows, trampolines, and a miniature train. There are also playgrounds, bumper boats, pedal karts, diggers, and a boating lake. You can even take your kids to the high ropes course.
If you’re looking for a more cultural experience in Somerset, you might want to check out the Mendip Wildlife Park. Located on a working farm, it offers an interactive experience that the whole family will enjoy. During the spring, when new animals are born, the park is especially fun.
Somerton
Somerton is a beautiful town with lots of charm. The old market place has beautiful buildings and a lovely Buttercross, which is floodlit at night. Other sights in Somerton include the Somerset Guild of Craftsmen and the Old Town Hall. There are also plenty of walks to enjoy around the town. You can walk down to the River Cary, which is known for its trout, or to the nearby fishing lakes.
Somerton is located near the A303 road, which extends into northern Hampshire and joins the M3 motorway near Basingstoke. You can also take the B3165, which runs through the town, but it doesn’t connect to the A303 for 4 miles. The B3153 road runs southwards to the A372, which runs south-east to Podimore services.
The town is also home to the Lynch Country House, which is a Grade II listed building. The town has an interesting history as a county seat. Somerton elects a single Member of Parliament, in the Somerton and Frome county constituency. It has previously been part of the South West England constituency, electing six MEPs using the d’Hondt method of proportional representation.
