The Best Places To See In Somerset

Somerset is just one of the major counties in England, one set towards the South West of the country, and one that is bordered by many other Countries such as Wiltshire and Bristol that often prove to be a little more popular.

However, Somerset is a largely overlooked county in England, and many people tend to forget about how much there is to see and do there.

Are you planning on visiting Somerset and some of its central cities and towns, like Yeovil, Bath, and Weston-Super-Mare?

Then you will totally want to keep on reading down below because today we are going to show you 35 of the most incredible places that you can visit in the county of Somerset!

1. Portishead

You may have heard of the band Portishead, but did you know that they directly lifted the name of their band from one of the most beloved coastal areas in Somerset? That’s right!

Not only is this beach incredibly popular with locals of Somerset, but it is also incredibly popular even with the people of Bristol to which this coastal area is in very close proximity.

The small town of Portishead is incredibly humble and charming. It proves a significant area of respite away from the hustle and bustle of some of the more popular cities in England.

The town has made full use of its proximity to the water, as it boasts an incredibly modern harbour that plays host to a number of water sports facilities, as well as numerous shops and eateries, making it a lovely place to relax with friends and family and soak in the sound of the waters lapping all around you!

2. Glastonbury

Glastonbury is perhaps one of the most recognizable towns in the entirety of England and has even become a popular name outside of the UK.

This is because, every year, it plays host to the immensely popular and influential Glastonbury music festival, which draws countless people to its grounds every Summer.

One of the most popular attractions in Glastonbury outside of festival time is the Glastonbury Tor, which is a National Trust attraction set atop a large hill that offers some of the best views of Glastonbury and even some much further spots across Somerset!

At the top of the Glastonbury Tor is St Michael’s Church, a surviving three-storey church tower that still stands to this day, and can be seen even from the base of the hill across Glastonbury!

Glastonbury also has a very charming town centre that is well worth visiting.

Walking down the high street is very relaxing, and it is even full of plenty of small independent stores, so you can help by shopping locally and grabbing something unique to the area!

3. Quantock Hills

Somerset is often known for having a unique landscape made up of countless hills and even plenty of flatter plains.

If you want to get out into the open air of the English countryside and explore some of these hills for yourself, then you would get a lot out of a visit to the Quantock Hills which are fun to explore and offer some very epic sweeping 360-degree views that will have you in total awe.

Make sure to also check out the Coleridge Trail which offers a very simple path through much of the hills, offering some of the best views you can get in the area!

4. Exmoor National Park

This is a national park that actually sits square on the border between Somerset and Devon, but it is still equally one of Somerset’s best features.

There are so many unique things to do here, taking advantage of the open air and the amazing rolling hills that surround you on all sides.

Every step you take seems to offer a totally new set of sights that will fill your whole body with awe.

Exmoor also boasts a number of beaches with beautiful crystalline waters that are great for dipping into during the warmer summer months.

You can even see the waters from the hills as you approach, giving you a great sense of scope that makes you feel incredibly relaxed.

5. Porlock

Sometimes, nothing beats heading out to a small town and experiencing some quiet domesticity.

If you live in a busy metropolitan town or city, then nothing can quite beat heading to Porlock, which is an incredibly rural little town made up of small and quaint homes that are so nice to walk beside across its small roads.

6. Dunkery Beacon

Sometimes nothing will clear your mind quite like enjoying a vast and expansive view all around you. Luckily, this is offered in spades thanks to Dunkery Beacon, which is officially the highest point in all of Exmoor and Somerset!

Heading to the top of this hill is incredible, and is luckily very easy, as all you need to do is park your car at the base, and then simply hike up to enjoy the views of the landscape all around you!

If you look at the right spot, you can even see the coastline!

7. Cheddar Gorge

Somerset is full of natural wonders that you can experience for yourself totally free of charge. One of the very best of these is the Cheddar Gorge, which features some incredibly unique geology to explore.

The sight of the immense gorge is so amazing to behold yourself and makes a trip more than worth it. There are also numerous small caves to explore, just make sure to wear appropriate and comfortable footwear when exploring!

8. Priddy

It can be easy to forget the immense history that some of the UK’s towns boast, and Priddy is a small town that continues to honour its history to this day.

While many ancient buildings have since been replaced with newer buildings in other towns, Priddy still boasts some ancient structures that give you a sense of how life was once lived!

9. Axbridge

Want to enjoy some delicious local food in a humble setting? Then head to Somerset’s smallest town of Axbridge, which boasts a number of amazing pubs that serve some of the best food around!

The brick roads that map the town are also very charming in their own way, and make the whole town worth exploring at your own pace!

10. Wells

Though Wells is incredibly small, it is officially a city, thanks to its massive Cathedral that sits right in the heart of its quaint population.

The cathedral itself is more than worth visiting, because it is incredibly fascinating, and is one of the most historic in all of England. The Church itself was built in 1176 AD and has remained on the grounds ever since.

The grounds of the Cathedral are an incredibly popular place for groups to head out to enjoy the sunshine and share a picnic together, so why not grab some food and enjoy it in the wake of this immense structure?

11. Bath

It was a foregone conclusion that we would eventually mention Bath amongst our list, but we didn’t want to start the list with something so obvious.

However, though it is an obvious recommendation to make, Bath is one of the most popular attractions in Somerset for a reason.

It is one of the most unique cities in all of England, and this is thanks to the numerous classically-styled buildings that still dot the majority of its landscape.

Make sure to also pay a visit to the Roman Baths, one of the most historic sites in all of England!

12. Box

If you’re staying overnight in Bath, and you want something a little outside of the city itself, then make sure to head to Box, a small town just on the outskirts of Bath that features some similarly older buildings that will give you a sense of the country’s rich history.

The Crown Jewels were even hidden here during the Second World War, which helps to lend it an even greater sense of history!

13. Brean

Want to enjoy the coast and some of Somerset’s hilly landscapes in one day? Then make sure to pay a visit to Brean, which features some of the county’s biggest hills, and even a beach that you can easily explore on foot.

Looking down on the coast from on high and then slowly descending to enjoy the waters yourself helps to make the waters feel even more rewarding and immense.

There is also a famous orchard here where local cider is made, where you can also find a cider-themed restaurant!

14. Shepton Mallet Prison

If you want a tourist attraction totally unlike any other, then you will enjoy Shepton Mallet Prison, which you can freely explore, and gives you a sense of the UK prison system and its immense history.

It’s not often you get the chance to explore an old prison, so make sure to give this attraction a visit when you head to Somerset yourself.

15. Clevedon

One of the best ways to experience the English coast is to head out onto a pier to hear the waters lap all around you, and smell the salty air as you allow your mind to clear out.

While Clevedon may not have the most exciting and attraction-filled piers, it does have one of the best expansive views that stretches out on all sides.

Watching the skies slowly turn a pink colour as the sun sets over the horizon is a sight to behold from this relaxing pier! 

16. Weston-Super-Mare

If you are instead looking for a little more excitement when visiting Somerset, then make sure to head to Weston-Super-Mare which also features a large pier that overlooks the waters of the English coast.

This pier, however, is filled with all kinds of family-friendly attractions like rides and games. Weston-Super-Mare also has a town centre that is very worth exploring to see some of the awesome local shops run by local people.

Great for grabbing yourself a souvenir of your Somerset trip!

17. Clifton Suspension Bridge

This amazing site actually lies between Bristol and North Somerset, which makes it a great spot to see if you are heading between both Somerset and Bristol.

This structure looks incredibly modern but was actually built in the Victorian era as a way of carrying all kinds of goods easily between Bristol and Somerset.

The bridge is used both by cars and pedestrians, and heading out to walk across it on foot offers its own set of pleasures, as you can get unparalleled views of the Avon Gorge.

The bridge is very easy and safe to traverse and allows you to enjoy fresh breezes that are very cool during the sunnier months of the year!

18. Somerton

If you truly want to ‘understand’ Somerset, then you will need to make a point of visiting Somerton, one of the oldest towns in Somerset. In fact, it is also where the County earned its name!

The town once served as the County town of Somerset, and you can explore its immense history for yourself by walking its humble streets and also paying a visit to the Old Hall, which is a building where many of the county’s most historic events occurred!

19. Bruton

If you want to experience some of Somerset’s best food, then you will need to pay a visit to Bruton, a rural town that has become renowned for its cuisine. You need to head there to see what the hype is all about!

20. Ilminster

If local shopping is more your speed, then head to the quaint town of Ilminster which boasts a large selection of Stores run by local people, selling local products.

The people are incredibly friendly, and there are so many immense things to peruse at these stores. It is also incredibly close to a Cider Mill, so you can also enjoy some of Somerset’s famous apple cider!

21. Frome

Historical buildings continue to amaze in Frome, one of the oldest towns in all of Somerset.

Simply park your car and then take a leisurely stroll across its cobbled streets to explore some of these historic buildings and take in a little bit of local culture by browsing its many stores.

22. Bridgwater

Bridgwater was once one of England’s central hotspots for manufacturing and trade, and this has helped to make the town not only culturally relevant to England’s history but has also helped it to flourish as one of the best towns to visit in Somerset.

The town centre is pleasant to slowly explore, and is full of rich history.

23. Wincanton

One of the things that makes Wincanton truly interesting is that the town is officially twinned with Ankh-Morpork, which is one of the fictional cities from Terry Pratchett’s series of Discworld novels.

This is actually the town where Pratchett first wrote the novels, and this makes it a must-visit for any of Pratchett’s popular novels. It is also full of exclusive merchandise, making it a fan haven!

24. Minehead

This is an area that lies on the Northeasternmost part of Exmoor, and the seaside town that occupies it is totally without comparison.

It features a truly expansive beach with flat and soft sands that allow you to easily dip your toes into the glistening waters.

During the Summertime, this beach very quickly and easily fills up with those seeking to soak in the sunshine, so if you want a summer getaway close to home, then you really cannot do better!

25. Taunton

Want to learn the entire history of Somerset? Then a trip to Taunton should definitely be on the cards.

Pay a visit to Taunton Castle, which now plays host to the Museum of Somerset, where you can find a massive collection of artefacts and information to give you a sense of Somerset’s interesting past. 

26. Kilve Beach

The cliffs of Kilve Beach offer unrivalled views of the Coast, as they drop down beneath your feet to allow you to see the waters as they carefully lap against the sands of the beach. 

This beach is also famous for being home to numerous Jurassic fossils that help us to better understand Earth’s ancient history! 

27. Dunster

Dunster is a small hamlet made up of small and quaint homes that line its small streets. Within this small town, you will also find the famous Dunster Castle, a truly massive castle still standing to this day.

Exploring the castle is a total joy, and helps you to understand the breadth of England’s history!

28. Exford

Want to enjoy a relaxing picnic with friends and family? Then head to Exford, where the multiple large greens will easily situate your picnic as you breathe in the fresh air and take in the beauty of England’s nature. 

The town sits on the River Exe, so you can even enjoy the soft sound of the waters coursing down! 

29. Dulverton

Whether you want long walks or independent shopping, Dulverton is a great small town to pay a visit to. This old market town not only plays host to a charming high street but also still hosts a 15th-century church to this day.

You can feel the history exuding off of the building as you approach it! 

30. Castle Cary

Market towns are a great way to get a sense of the history of any County in the UK. If you want one of the best in Somerset, then make sure to check out Castle Cary, one of the largest market towns around.

Try to visit on a Tuesday, on which you will be able to enjoy the historic local farmer’s market, which is incredibly vibrant and full of local culture! 

31. Yeovil

Yeovil is one of Somerset’s biggest towns, but that does not mean that there isn’t plenty of rural charm to soak in when you pay it a visit.

The town itself is very pleasant, and the town centre is worth exploring on foot so you can stop in at one of the many humble local cafes for a cuppa.

Just outside of the town is the Fleet Air Museum, so if you are a fan of aviation history, then this is well worth a visit! 

32. The Mendip Hills

If you are in the mood for a long hike in the countryside, then you don’t want to miss out on the Mendip Hills, a hiking trail that carries you across many of Somerset’s best natural wonders.

33. Bleadon

Bleadon is one of the many stops you will find along the way on the Mendip Hills trail, and while it might be one of the quaintest villages on this list, it boasts a hill with easily the best view in the county.

We’ll let you experience this view for yourself. 

34. Blagdon

Blagdon is famous for its own lake, which is truly vast, and looks incredible during a bright sunset, as the light reflects off of its shimmering waters! 

Make sure to also walk through the village itself to enjoy some peace and quiet amongst humble English architecture.

35. Limpley Stoke

Head to Limpley Stoke and check out the vast and historic viaduct that is enshrined amongst beautiful trees and perfectly managed fields. This site is very close to Bath, so also very easy to access on a free day.

To Wrap Up

We hope that this guide has proven useful and that you now feel ready to check out some of Somerset’s best places, including small and humble towns, and various natural wonders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Visit Somerset?

One of the best reasons to visit Somerset is to check out some of its amazing views and natural sites. 

What Is The Main Town In Somerset?

Somerset’s county town is officially the town of Taunton.

Is Somerset A Posh Area?

Somerset is known for hosting some of the poshest towns in the UK!