Somerset is one of England’s most underrated counties. It sits southwest of Bristol, stretching from the Mendip Hills to the Somerset Levels. The landscape changes dramatically within a few miles. Green hills give way to flat wetlands. Ancient woodlands open onto coastal marshes. The county has been inhabited for over 10,000 years. Glastonbury has been a spiritual centre since before the Romans arrived. Bath has been a spa destination for 2,000 years. Yet Somerset remains quiet compared to Cornwall or the Cotswolds. It does not shout for attention. It rewards those who take the time to explore. The food is outstanding. The cider is famous. This guide reveals the best of Somerset for your next holiday.
In This Article
Glastonbury Tor: A 158-Metre Hill with 1,400 Years of History
Glastonbury Tor rises 158 metres above the Somerset Levels. The hill has been a site of religious significance since the 7th century. St Michael’s Tower was built in the 14th century. It is all that remains of a church destroyed in 1539 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The Tor is visible from 30 kilometres away. Legend says it is the Isle of Avalon, the resting place of King Arthur. The climb takes about 20 minutes from the town centre. There are 7 terraces cut into the hillside of unknown origin. The view covers 5 counties on a clear day. Entry is free. The National Trust manages the site. Visit at sunrise or sunset for the most dramatic light.
Bath: A UNESCO City with 2,000-Year-Old Roman Baths
Bath became a UNESCO World heritage site in 1987. It is the only city in the UK with this status for its entire urban landscape. The Roman Baths were built between 60 and 70 AD. They use natural hot springs that produce 1.17 million litres of water per day at 46 degrees Celsius. The bathing complex covers 6,000 square metres. The Great Bath is 44 by 16 metres and 1.6 metres deep. Entry costs 21 pounds for adults (as of 2026). Children aged 6 to 16 pay 14.50 pounds. The Georgian architecture dates from the 18th century. The Royal Crescent was built between 1767 and 1774 with 30 terraced houses. The Circus was built between 1754 and 1768 with 33 houses arranged in a circle 97 metres in diameter.
Cheddar Gorge: A 137-Metre-Deep Canyon with 10,000-Year-Old Caves
Cheddar Gorge is the largest gorge in the United Kingdom. It was formed by meltwater from glaciers at the end of the last Ice Age, around 12,000 years ago. The cliffs rise 137 metres on either side. The gorge is 3 kilometres long. The Cheddar caves have been inhabited for 10,000 years. Cheddar Man, the oldest complete human skeleton in Britain, was found here in 1903. He lived around 7150 BC. Gough Cave was discovered by Richard Gough in 1894. It extends 115 metres into the cliff. The caves maintain a constant 11 degrees Celsius. Entry costs 17.95 pounds for adults (as of 2026). Children aged 5 to 15 pay 13.95 pounds. Cheddar is the birthplace of cheddar cheese. The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company has been making cheese since 1919.
Exmoor National Park: 267 Square Miles of Moorland and Coast
Exmoor National Park was established in 1954. It covers 267 square miles across Somerset and Devon. The highest point is Dunkery Beacon at 519 metres. The park has 55 kilometres of coastline including the highest sea cliffs in England. Great Hangman rises 318 metres above the Bristol Channel. The park is home to 1,200 Exmoor ponies that have lived here for 4,000 years. The park has 1,000 kilometres of public footpaths. The Coleridge Way is a 51-mile walking trail named after poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. The Valley of the Rocks near Lynton has 200-metre-high cliffs formed during the last Ice Age. Entry to the national park is free. Parking costs 3 to 6 pounds per day.
Somerset Cider: A 2,000-Year-Old Tradition
Somerset has been making cider since the Roman occupation starting around 43 AD. The county produces 60 percent of England’s cider. There are over 200 cider farms. The Somerset Cider Brandy Company in Burrow Hill has been making cider since 1880. A distillery tour costs 12.50 pounds (as of 2026) and includes a tasting. Thatchers Cider in Sandford has been operating since 1904. The farm covers 400 acres. A tour costs 15 pounds and includes 4 tastings. They produce 80 million litres of cider per year. The Cider Museum in Ilminster has over 1,000 exhibits in a 14th-century tithe barn. Entry costs 6 pounds for adults. A bottle of farmhouse cider costs 4 to 8 pounds. Somerset cider is drier than commercial varieties.
Which corner of Somerset would you explore on your next holiday? 🍎
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