Places to visit in Somerset
Often overlooked in light of its more famous South West neighbours Devon and Cornwall, Somerset is a severely underrated county full of ancient landscapes, secret caves and grottoes, undulating hills, mysterious folklore and spectacular coastlines.
But that’s not all, fascinating ancient history, pagan sites, castles, and the stunning wilderness of Exmoor are all encompassed within its boundaries. Somerset is the perfect county for outdoor exploration as well as visiting architectural wonders and bustling market towns. We have put together this list of the best places to visit in Somerset to help you get your bearings in the west country.
Weston-super-Mare
Perfectly located for a day trip, you’ll be surprised at the variety of entertainment, cuisine and shopping at Weston-super-Mare. The Somerset coastal gem offers fresh air and scenic walks, as well as the impressive Grand Pier, and the theme parks Puxton Park and Funland. There’s bucket-loads of good old-fashioned family fun to be had at Weston-super-Mare; think fresh sea air, thrilling rides, fish and chips, retro arcade machines, soft play for the tots and more.
Burnham-on-Sea
One of the jewels of Somerset, Burnham-On-Sea is a thriving seaside town with plenty of things to do. There are beaches, a beautiful pier, gardens, and the 42-acre Apex Park which is enjoyed as a space for picnics, games and wildlife watching. The town lies at the southern end of the second longest strip of sand in Europe and therefore boasts several superb natural beaches making it one of the best places to visit in Somerset for beach lovers.
Minehead
Minehead, found on the south bank of the Bristol Channel, is a bustling seaside town. Nestled between Exmoor National Park on one side and the Quantock Hills on the other, there’s certainly plenty to satisfy nature lovers. However, Minehead also offers everything you could need for a family seaside holiday such as a long flat sandy beach and charming harbour, as well as plenty of independent shops, cafes and heritage attractions.
Taunton
Make your Haven adventure to Somerset even more memorable by spending a day in Taunton, another fantastic town in this lovely county. While this smaller town might not receive as much attention as other nearby destinations, it still boasts a variety of exciting attractions and experiences. Whether you're looking to bond with your family at one of the many nearby parks or discover the region's history at one of its museums, Taunton has plenty of fun activities to offer!
Dunster and Exmoor
Situated in the northeastern corner of Exmoor National Park, Dunster is a charming market town that has something to offer for everyone. With its quaint castle, tranquil village, and beautiful countryside, it's difficult not to fall for this picturesque destination. From museums to historic buildings and beauty spots, there’s plenty to see and do in Dunster and the surrounding area of Exmoor.
Bath
It’s impossible to make a list of the best places to visit in Somerset without including Bath. The city of Bath has been a major centre of activity since Roman times and is still a hub of activity in the southeast of England. You'll find historic buildings, enthralling museums, as well as boutique shops, and gourmet restaurants offering every cuisine under the sun.
While there are endless things to do in Bath, there’s only one place to begin and that’s the Roman Baths. Some of the most famous Roman ruins in the country, there is also an attached Roman Museum to fascinate adults and kids alike. The history doesn’t stop there with the seventh century Bath abbey and Pulteney Bridge, one of the only Palladian Bridges in the world, next on the list. No trip to Bath would be complete without a picture at the eminently photogenic Crescent, a stunning perfect circle of Georgian architecture. There’s so much to do it’s worth more than a single day, but if you set off early you may just squeeze it all in!
Glastonbury
While it may be most famous for its music festival that draws crowds and acts from around the world, Glastonbury is also a fascinating town in its own right with connections to Druids and King Arthur. A hike to the top of Glastonbury Tor provides amazing view of the surrounding countryside. You can also try some of the mysterious red water at Chalice Well and explore the ruins of the 8th-century Glastonbury Abbey, a grade I listed building and scheduled ancient monument.
The high street is also filled with independent shops here, many of which have a supernatural or pagan theme, nodding to the folklore of the town. Add to that the Somerset Rural Life Museum that allows visitors to learn about the daily life of the county’s folk in times past, and you’ve got one of the best places to visit in Somerset with the kids.
Start planning your Great British break
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Important information
Site fees from as little as £125 a month with Let2offset at Burnham-on-Sea
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Site fees from as little as £125 a month with Let2offset’ is available at Burnham-on-Sea. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance. Offer is subject to availability.
“Site fees from as little as £125 a month with Let2offset” is applicable to new customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. This offer is available at Burnham-on-Sea only and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade) for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Site fees from as little as £125 a month with Let2offset” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Burnham-on-Sea with a monthly site fee of £750.00 (includes purchasing discount of £20) and monthly letting income of £606.00. The monthly difference equates to £124 which will be billed to the owner's account monthly. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Free 2024 site fees when you buy a Haven holiday home
Offer is applicable to new customer purchases made through Haven from 19 April 2024, completing by 31 December 2024.
Offer excludes part-exchanges or private sales. Available on new & pre-owned holiday homes at the following selected parks only: Kent Coast, Burnham-on-Sea, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, Hopton, Orchards, Skegness and Wild Duck.
A credit equivalent to the value of your site fees due during the 2024 season will be applied to your account balance on completion of your purchase for use against your running costs e.g. utilities, after-sale add-ons e.g storage boxes or site fees. It cannot be applied to your purchase or refunded in cash.
Subject to availability and status. Deposit required. Access to your holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Offer cannot be combined with any other offer, discount, or promotion. Offer may be withdrawn or changed at any time without notice. Full site fees will be payable for subsequent years.
Images are shown for representational purposes.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2031
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.