10 charming Somerset towns to visit on your holidays

Somerset is a great county for a camping or glamping holiday! Not only due to its beautiful landscapes but also thanks to the wide choice of delightful towns to visit here. The ten charming Somerset towns below are all wonderful places to spend the day with plenty on offer for holidaymakers.

Wells

Wells features a great collection of architectural attractions, from the Bishop's Palace to Wells Cathedral. Visitors can stroll along Vicars’ Close, reputed to be Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited street, while fans of the film Hot Fuzz will recognize Wells as the setting of the film’s fictional town Sandford and can see a number of locations that were used in the film.

Glastonbury

Glastonbury is steeped in myth and legend and has attracted a New Age community which makes it a very interesting place to visit. The town is world famous for its music and performing arts festival which is now held at nearby Worthy Farm. There is a lot to see here: the views from the top of mysterious Glastonbury Tor are excellent and visitors to the remains of Glastonbury Abbey can view the reputed burial location of King Arthur.

Burnham-on-Sea

Burnham-on-Sea is a great choice for visitors who fancy a traditional seaside treat. The nine-legged lighthouse is a well-known landmark and there are seven miles of sandy beaches to explore. The Apex Leisure & Wildlife Park is also a good place to spot wildlife, enjoy a leisurely walk or picnic or alternatively get active with BMX biking or skateboarding.

Frome

Frome is a picturesque town constructed on a series of hills and features pretty cobbled streets along with plenty art galleries, theatres and craft centres. This is a very relaxing place to spend a cultural afternoon. The town hosts the annual Frome Festival, a popular arts festival featuring a range of musicians, performance arts, crafts and artists.

Bath

The city of Bath is a spectacular World Heritage Site which really does have something to suit everyone. The renowned Roman Baths are well worth visiting and Jane Austen fans should definitely stop by the Jane Austen Centre. There is also an abundance of art galleries, museums and green spaces to enjoy. One of the best ways to explore Bath is via a free audio-guided walking tour which highlights Bath’s intriguing history and stunning architecture.

Bruton

The small and picturesque town of Bruton has a number of historic structures to attract visitors, including the pretty Packhorse Bridge and 17th century Sexey’s Hospital which contains a chapel and quadrangle that holidaymakers can visit. The town is a good base for walking the Leland Trail and Macmillan Way and also hosts the Packhorse Fair.

Axbridge

The market town of Axbridge has an attractive medieval square, a pretty church dating from the 13th century, as well as an eye-catching Tudor timber-framed merchant house known as King John’s Hunting Lodge which today serves as a local history museum. The town is also a good base for exploring the nearby Cheddar Gorge.

Chard

Chard is Somerset’s highest town and a visit to this attractive location should definitely include exploring the Chard Museum and Heritage Centre which contains a variety of interesting exhibits and displays, including an exhibition on John Stringfellow and the first aircraft to be flown under its own power. The beautiful Chard Reservoir Local Nature Reserve is also well worth discovering at a leisurely pace.

Crewkerne

Crewkerne has a number of attractions to recommend it to holidaymakers, including a museum which provides insight into local history, a 15th century church and 19th century Georgian townhouses within the town centre which is a conservation area. The nearby Bincombe Beeches Nature Reserve is also great for visitors seeking a peaceful and pretty place to explore.

Taunton

Taunton is a bustling market town which houses the excellent Museum of Somerset within Taunton Castle. There is a large antique market as well as a weekly farmers’ market. One of the best ways to explore the town is via the self-guided Taunton Heritage Trail.

Ten terrific towns to put on your itinerary

These attractive towns in Somerset are excellent stop offs during a holiday in the county. With superb architecture, informative museums, art attractions and stunning natural landscapes, there’s no shortage of wonderful things to explore in these towns which are sure to charm with their delightful characters.