Somerset Sightseeing, Attractions & Activities Guide

recommended places to visit and things to do throughout Somerset


  • archeological site
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  • historic house
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  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • pre-booking advised
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  • World Heritage Site
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • archeology
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  • history
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  • social history

one of the world's best preserved Roman spas, built over a natural hot spring, with an adjoining museum and grand Pump Room restaurant

  • historic house
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  • place of worship
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • religion

dominating the city centre, this was the last great medieval church to be built in England, with impressive West facade and tower tours

  • leisure facility
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • pre-booking advised
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • music
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  • nature

set between Bath and Bristol, the home of fun things to do, exciting live horse racing fixtures and high-quality hospitality events

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • history
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

designed in 1825 and completed in 1827 for William Beckford. The 120 foot tower, has uninterrupted views of the countryside, and was was constructed as a study retreat and to house Beckford's precious collection of art and rare books

  • nature reserve
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  • family-friendly
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  • free admission
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  • seasonal opening
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  • visitor centre
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  • nature
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  • wildlife

the Exmoor pony is the oldest native pony breed in Britain, around 350 still live free on Exmoor

  • museum
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • shop

the ultimate Jane Austen experience, celebrating her connection with Bath and the city's influence on her writing

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • seasonal opening
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  • pre-booking advised
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  • National Trust
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

built as a family home, the garden and estate balance faded beauty and function with an abundance of nature; celebrated in ornate Gothic carvings

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • archeology
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  • history
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  • maritime heritage
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  • military history
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  • toys & models

featuring artefacts and displays from the Civil War and a section on the history of Bridgewater. Admiral Blake is renowned as the founder of the modern British navy

  • museum
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • art
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  • furniture
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  • history

the only museum of American decorative and folk art outside the USA, exploring history and culture from early settlers to the 20th century. 35 acres of grounds are open to the public with the largest collection of American horticultural features in the UK

  • farm park
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • nature
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  • wildlife

boasting a giant indoor play barn, and over 250 animals. Plus reptile handling, meet the ferrets, cuddle club, chipmunk feeding, meet the boas, outdoor adventure play & inflatables

Avalon Vineyard

Shepton Mallet

  • vineyard
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  • seasonal opening
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  • shop
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  • food & drink
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  • wine

this is a working organic vineyard & fruit farm, where visitor can take a stroll around & sample a free wine & cider tasting

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • shop
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • nature

modernised in the 19th Century to become a lavish country house with Mediterranean planting in the garden and a working water mill

Ashton Windmill

Stone Allerton

  • something different!
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  • viewpoint
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • free admission
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  • limited opening
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  • history

this is a unique 18C flour mill standing on the "Isle" of Widmore. The mill was restored in 1958 to a working condition , with further renovations in 1979

  • nature reserve
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • nature
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  • wildlife

collection of unusual birds from all over the world. The centre also has a hospital room where sick or injured birds can be treated

  • historic house
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • architecture
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • social history

the first house in Bath's most famous Georgian terrace, now restored and furnished to show life for Bath's fashionable residents in the 18th century

  • museum
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • fashion

collection of historic fashionable dress, over hundreds of years right up to today's leading designers, housed in historic Assembly Rooms

  • museum
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • architecture

explore the rich architectural history of Bath as it was transformed from a small medieval town to world famous Georgian city

  • museum
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • history
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  • social history

based where the world's first stamped letter was posted, this museum explores the development of postal services over hundreds of years