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Country breaks in South Somerset

30th July 2008 Print
Country breaks in South Somerset South Somerset is the ideal place to relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility of rural England. Pretty hamstone villages, sleepy hamlets and bustling market towns punctuate a rich tapestry of fields, orchards and woods.

An inspiration to artists and craftspeople, it has a wealth of historic country houses and glorious gardens to visit and is steeped in history. Evidence of bygone eras is all around from one of the largest Iron Age hill forts in Europe, Ham Hill, now a 400-acre country park, to the remote hill top site of Cadbury Castle, reputed to be King Arthur’s Camelot.

The diverse landscape is a haven for walkers, cyclists and horse riders with around 1,300 miles of way-marked routes to explore, while the numerous lakes, ponds and rivers are a delight for anglers.

The tradition of quality local produce has always flourished in South Somerset ranging from award winning cheeses and dairy products to fruit and vegetables, breads and traditionally smoked fish and meats. The region’s climate and soil conditions are also well suited for the production of quality cider, beer and wine.

In keeping with their rural heritage, the local towns and villages continue to hold festivals, fairs, rallies and celebrations throughout the calendar; among the most famous are the autumn carnivals complete with illuminated floats and colourful processions.

All this plus a host of attractions and museums ensures the visitor is literally spoilt for choice all year round.

Discover South Somerset’s Towns and Villages
Stretching from the broad expanse of the Blackmore Vale to the flat wetlands of the Somerset Levels while gentle hills and valleys reach to the Devon border, South Somerset encompasses some larger towns such as Yeovil and Chard as well as the pleasant market towns of Bruton, Ilminster, Crewkerne, Castle Cary and Wincanton, famous for its racecourse.

There are also some lesser known places such as Henstridge to the east where Sir Walter Raleigh is said to have first smoked tobacco at the Virginia Ash Inn; Muchelney once the site of an influential 10th century Benedictine Abbey and now the workplace of the famous potter John Leach and Hinton St George which witnesses an unusual event every October. Children parade candlelit mangel-wurzurls through the village to celebrate ‘Punky Night’ recalling when village wives tried to frighten their drunken husbands who had outstayed their leave at Chiselborough Fair.

Enchanting Gardens
South Somerset has several classic gardens open to the public each offering its own unique style from the archetypal English cottage gardens at East Lambrook Manor and Lower Severalls, to the formal gardens at Tintinhull House and Lytes Cary Manor, and the landscaped estates of Barrington Court and Hadspen. Near Yeovil is Montacute House, which is said to be one of the finest examples of a grand Elizabethan property anywhere in England; its formal gardens are often used as a stage for theatrical and musical events.

Themed Walking Routes
Three long distance walking trails pass through the region. The 28-mile Leland Trail traces the journey taken by John Leland when he was commissioned by King Henry VIII in the 1530s to seek out and record England’s antiquities. It leads through gentle agricultural landscapes from Alfred’s Tower on the Wiltshire border to Ham Hill west of Yeovil.

Also 28 miles long, the Liberty Trail follows the route that supporters of the Monmouth rebellion may have taken in 1685. It leads across the hills and vales from Ham Hill to the Dorset coast at Lyme Regis where the Duke landed on his return home from exile.

The 50-mile River Parrett Trail follows the course of the Parrett through South Somerset and across the Levels to its mouth at Bridgwater Bay in the north of the county, passing through one of Britain’s most ecologically sensitive and fragile areas. Along the route Somerset artists have used natural local materials to create stiles, bridges, gates, seats and sculptures.

South Somerset also offers numerous shorter, circular routes ideal for a morning’s stroll or the family looking for a little healthy exercise on a fine afternoon. An interesting walk around Barwick Park, near Yeovil takes in four weird and wonderful follies created during the first half of the nineteenth century. Located on the estate boundary at the four points of the compass, they are eccentric ornaments serving no useful purpose but are a source of fascination and speculation by all.

80 Mile South Somerset Circular Cycle Route
For keen cyclists the circular South Somerset 80 mile Cycle Route is one of the best ways to explore this scenic area of rural England. It takes in the region’s gentle hills and vales to the north east of Yeovil as well as the lowland moors, pretty hamstone villages and historic market towns.

The route map suggests starting in an anti-clockwise direction from Yeovil Junction railway station for those wishing to put their bike on a train, but it can be joined at any point. Cyclists should then follow the brown signs or Sustrans national cycle network numbers 30, 26 and 33.

Attractions for All
Visitors don’t have to be fascinated by transport to find the Haynes Motor Museum at Sparkford of interest. Boasting more than 300 rare and exotic cars, it has something to appeal to everyone while, across at Yeovilton, the Fleet Air Arm Museum showcases the best of Britain’s naval aviation through the ages. Displays include eight aircraft which cannot be seen anywhere else in the world; visitors can also go on board Concorde and be transported by a simulated helicopter flight to the replica flight deck of the aircraft carrier HMS Royal Ark.

Animal lovers can choose from three animal rescue centres to visit, namely the Ferne Animal Sanctuary, the National Animal Welfare Trust and the International League for the Protection of Horses. There’s also the Wildlife Park at Cricket St Thomas where families can get up close to over 500 animals from around the world and learn about wildlife conservation and endangered species.

And for those searching for something more unusual at Wincanton there is the only place dedicated to Terry Pratchett’s fantasy DISCWORLD while at Montacute the TV and Radio Toy Museum is home to a full size Dr Who Dalek and Tardis, which are on display amongst other nostalgic memorabilia from programmes over the years.

Taste of South Somerset
Wholesome, natural tastes can be enjoyed direct from the producers or farmers’ markets. The products are varied ranging from cider beer and wine; breads and pasties; dairy produce, seasonal fruit and vegetables to meat and poultry.

Visitors can witness many of the age-old methods of production from delicious ice cream made and flavoured the old-fashioned way to the Brown & Forrest Smokery at Hambridge where fish, meats and cheeses are prepared as they have been for eons. They can also visit the cider mills and distilleries where they can sample some of the West Country’s most famous flavours such as Perry’s Cider at Dowlish Wake, near Ilminster and the Somerset Distillery at Burrow Hill.

More Information
Details of this great wealth of things to see and do can be found online at Visitsouthsomerset.com or in the Discover South Somerset visitor guide.

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Country breaks in South Somerset