Somerset Attractions
From meandering rivers, limestone gorges, hills and knolls to panoramic beaches, South coast and Severn seas, Somerset is a playground for the senses with attractions to match.
Known for its far-reaching plains and dramatic sunsets, as well as its varied landscapes, the county boast historic buildings, locally-produced food and drink and rich traditions and cultures of its people.
Visit grandiose stately homes, sample renowned cheeses, ciders and ales, attend Somerset shows celebrating its long farming heritage, go wildlife spotting or walled garden wandering; there's lots of Somerset attractions to explore.
Glastonbury Tor
Steeped in history and legend, Glastonbury Tor is said to have been a spiritual site since ancient times and is often associated with Celtic mythology.
The Tor is believed to be the Isle of Avalon from Arthurian legend, a place of mystery and the final resting place of King Arthur. As a result, the Tor has been a place of pilgrimage and spiritual significance for centuries. Many people believe it to be a location with strong earth energies and ley lines. making it a powerful spot for meditation, reflection, and spiritual practice.
The climb to the top of Glastonbury Tor presents breathtaking views of the Somerset Levels, including panoramic vistas that stretch to the Mendip Hills, Dorset, Wiltshire, and Wales on clear days. The landscape around the Tor is incredibly picturesque, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers and photographers, as well as druids!
Museum of Somerset
The Museum of Somerset, located in Taunton features a wide range of collections that span from prehistoric times to the modern era. Archaeological finds, historical artifacts, fine art, and natural history specimens, offer visitors an in-depth look at the rich tapestry of Somerset life through the ages.
From its early inhabitants through to the present day, The Museum of Somerset is an excellent place to learn about Somerset's history. On display are exhibits from the county's Roman and Saxon past, its agricultural history, and its role in key historical events.
Designed to engage visitors of all ages, the museum incorporates interactive and multimedia exhibits. These features make learning fun and accessible, allowing you to immerse yourself in Somerset's history in new ways.
Somerset Space Walk
The Somerset Space Walk is a scale model of the Solar System, located along the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal in Somerset. It's a unique educational attraction designed to give you a tangible sense of the vast distances within our Solar System.
The entire space walk is about 14 miles long, representing the Solar System at a scale of 1:530,000,000, meaning that each metre walked, along the path equates to 530,000 kilometers in space. Key features include models of the Sun and the planets, with the sizes and distances between the models scaled down to match the overall scale of the display.
The model of the Sun is at Higher Maunsel Lock and the planets are spread out along the canal path, all the way to Pluto (still included as a 'planet' in this installation, despite its reclassification as a dwarf planet in 2006), which marks the end of the walk. A fascinating Somerset attraction.
The American Museum of Art and Gardens, Bath
The American Museum of Art and Gardens, stands as the only museum of Americana outside the United States, presenting an exceptional opportunity to explore American culture, art and history in Somerset.
The museum houses a wide range of American decorative and folk art, from the colonial period through to the 19th century. The collections include fine examples of quilts, textiles, furniture, glassware, and folk art, providing a comprehensive overview of American artistic achievements and cultural developments over centuries.
The American Museum of Art is housed in Claverton Manor, an elegant Georgian house set in beautiful English countryside near Bath. For the architecture and grounds alone the museum is worth a visit.
The gardens include a replica of George Washington's garden at Mount Vernon, among other themed areas to explore. Beautifully maintained, the gardens offer a peaceful retreat and showcase the integration of American landscaping styles in a UK setting.
Cheddar Gorge
Cheddar Gorge is Britain's largest gorge, featuring dramatic cliffs rising over 450 feet and a stunning stalactite cavern. With its rugged cliffs and stunning landscape, the Cheddar Gorge is a natural spectacle worth witnessing firsthand.
Also a site of considerable historical and prehistorical importance, evidence of human habitation dating back to the Neolithic era (including Britain's oldest complete human skeleton, the Cheddar Man, dated to around 7150 BCE) has been found in the caves, making it part of human evolution and habitation in Britain.
For the adventurous, the gorge offers a variety of activities including caving and rock climbing.