With rolling hills, golden villages, listed gardens and historic homes, the south of the county offers some of England’s most glorious sights
May 2024
Somerset’s growing cycle network bears fruit: a ride on the Strawberry Line
Mostly traffic-free and flat, this route between Yatton and Cheddar takes in old stations and views across the Levels to the Bristol Channel – and it’s being extended to form part of the 76-mile Somerset Circle
April 2024
Restorative in every way: a rewilding retreat in Somerset
A Wild Weekend on the 42 Acres estate near Frome offers fresh air, cosy rooms, sumptuous food and a chance to get hands dirty with some land regeneration work
September 2023
Medieval city of Wells named as UK’s top tourist destination
Somerset city scores five stars for attractiveness and tourist attractions as it tops Which? survey of inland towns and villages
August 2023
Lakes, mountains and distant isles: 15 of the most tranquil places to visit around the UK
Five of the best walks on England’s South West Coast Path
July 2023
Country diary
Country diary 1948: In search of the Cheddar pink
14 July 1948: Having heard that numbers of the plant had been seriously depleted, we were prepared for a long day looking for it when we visited the gorge
November 2022
Observer walks
A walk on the wild side: explore the Avalon Marshes, Somerset
In the shadow of Glastonbury Tor, on the Somerset Levels, our writer discovers a wetland wonderland for wildlife
August 2022
‘I was so much happier outside London’: how top chefs found heaven in the West Country
Fields of light: an arty Somerset glampsite with glowing gardens and a space pod
July 2022
Cheese, cider, cycling: a tasty tour of the West Country
Following the Somerset Food Trail by e-bike offers the chance to meet growers and makers, enjoy beautiful scenery, and sample delicious local produce
April 2022
10 of UK’s best active rural holidays
Where the magic happens: 10 of Britain’s most mystical sites
March 2022
The pub walk
A great walk to a great pub: the Packhorse, near Bath, Somerset
This walk through a lost world of canals and Roman roads ends in a brilliant old pub now run by the local community
December 2021
Rooms for improvement: new pods pep up an unsung Somerset coastal town
A new arts centre in previously overlooked Watchet offers rooms with a view and wider community benefit. Plus six more UK social enterprises
October 2021
‘It began with cider’: how a group of young parents transformed a Somerset harbour
From pub nights to hard hats, the locals-run Onion Collective made East Quay arts centre in Watchet, Somerset, a reality
September 2021
Living the stream: glamping in an American Airstream trailer … in Somerset
We check out a lovingly restored classic caravan on a quiet farm – but they can also be taken out on the road or to a festival
May 2021
10 of the best Somerset pubs with beer gardens or outdoor space
Soak up the views, great ales and ciders, and homemade food at our selection of characterful and historic inns
April 2021
‘No live music and a curfew’: Glastonbury opens Worthy Farm for tranquil camping
Glastonbury festival site to offer family-friendly camping over summer
