Stylish self-catering holidays and short breaks in Somerset
Family Things to do in Somerset
We love living and working in Somerset and the county's beauty, mystery and attractions never ceases to surprise us!
Being blessed with natural wonders and a rich cultural heritage means that you will be spoilt for choice for things to do during your Somerset holiday. Whether it’s for kids (even the big ones!), romantic couples or family groups there are always lots of fun things to do in Somerset.
We’ve cherry picked the most exciting attractions to visit whilst you are on your self-catering break in Somerset and listed them below. Check out our recommendations and let us know if there are any we should add, we’d love to hear from you!
Visit Longleat Safari Park
This famous wildlife and safari park, Longleat is just over the Somerset border and is certainly one of the most popular things to do in Wiltshire. The 9,000-acre site is considered by many to be one of the best in the UK, and it certainly has plenty to offer the whole family. Take a drive through Lion Country, and watch elephants, rhinos, and giraffes (and not forgetting the lions!) stroll past your car.
The park has recently built the Koala Creek, which is home to a menagerie of antipodean marsupials, including an adorable baby koala. The little Joey was the first southern koala to be born in Europe, and has been named Hazel after an online vote, ITV News reports. Longleat also has one of the biggest hedge mazes in Europe.
Every year from November through to January, Longleat runs it’s renowned Festival of Light and for 2022 it will be Roald Dahl themed, certain to be popular with parents and children alike - so we recommend you book early!
If you're looking for somewhere to stay during your trip then we offer family friendly Longleat holiday accommodation too.
Distance from By the Byre Holidays:
- 5 miles (13.7 kilometres)
Travelling Times from us (estimated):
- 15 minutes by car (dependent on traffic)
- 1 hour by bicycle
- 1 hour 34 minutes by bus
Contact Details
Website: https://www.longleat.co.uk/
Phone: Not applicable – see below for email
Email - For Customer Services and General Enquiries - enquiries@longleat.co.uk
Address:
The Estate Office, Longleat, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7NW
Getting there:
Click to open the route on Google Maps
Wookey Hole Caves
Not far from the famous Cheddar Gorge are the Wookey Hole Caves (just north west of the City of Wells), an extensive network of natural limestone caves which are open for visitors to explore. The caves are richly embedded in the Celtic mythology of the area, and evidence has been uncovered of early Iron Age settlers who made the caves their home.
There are many well developed attractions at the site that are ideal for families, including a museum, animatronic dinosaurs, country walks, gift shops, cafes, picnic areas, and much more.
Wookey Hole host a variety of different special events, from comedy nights in the Cavern, Halloween spectaculars through to an annual Christmas Wonderland.
Don’t just take our word for it, check out all their positive reviews on Tripadvisor!
Distance from By the Byre Holidays:
- 5 miles (34.6 kilometres)
Travelling Times from us (estimated):
- 45 minutes by car (dependent on traffic)
- 2 hours by bicycle
- Approximately 3 hours by bus and train
Opening Hours:
Peak Season: First Admission 9.30am, Last Admission 4.30pm, Site Closes 5.30pm
Off Season: First Admission 10am, Last Admission 3pm, Site Closes 4.30pm
Note: Wookey Hole is shut Monday to Friday in November, December, January & some of February
Contact Details:
Website: https://www.wookey.co.uk/
Phone: 01749 672243
Email – witch@wookey.co.uk (what an awesome email!)
Address:
The Mill, High St, Wookey Hole, Wells BA5 1BB
Getting there:
Click to open the route on Google Maps
The Bishop’s Palace, Wells
The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens at Wells is a stunning 13th century moated palace, with 14 acres of beautifully tended gardens. It was home to the Bishops of Bath for over 800 years and is packed with a long and interesting history. In recent times the Palace was designated Grade 1 Listed Status by English Heritage, so it certainly is worth a visit!
You can look inside the buildings, including the impressive episcopal chapel, with an intricately carved vaulted ceiling and stained glass windows. Some of the glass was installed after being rescued from damaged French churches during the Revolution of 1789.
It’s worth noting that the Admission Ticket to the Palace includes 12 months of return visits from the date of your first visit and you’re welcome to use it again on any normal day.
The Bishop’s Palace also hosts regular events and they’re worth checking out:
https://bishopspalace.org.uk/whats-on/
Distance from By the Byre Holidays:
- 20 miles (32.2 kilometres)
Travelling Times from us (estimated):
- 45 minutes by car (dependent on traffic)
- 1 hour 40 minutes by bicycle
- Approximately 2 hours by bus
Opening Hours:
9.30am-5.30pm daily in the Summer months
10am-4pm daily in the Winter months
Contact Details:
Website: https://bishopspalace.org.uk/
Phone: 01749 988111
Email – info@bishopspalace.org.uk
Address:
The Bishop’s Palace, Wells, Somerset, BA5 2PD
Getting there:
Click to open the route on Google Maps
Visit The Roman Baths in Bath
No visit to Somerset would be complete without seeing the world-famous Roman Baths in the historic city of Bath. They were built almost 2,000 years ago at the site of Britain’s only hot spring source and remain a stunning sight to this day. The experience is brought to life by actors in Roman costume, and there is a superbly curated museum to enjoy.
The Baths host a variety of events for visitors, from Arts and Craft School to Lecture Tours, there is something for everyone!
Distance from By the Byre Holidays:
- 14 miles (22.5 kilometres)
Travelling Times (estimated):
- 30 minutes by car (heavily dependent on traffic, especially in Bath city centre which operates a Clean Air Zone)
- 1 hour 20 minutes by bicycle
- Approximately 1 hour by bus
Opening Hours:
9.00am-6.00pm (last entry 5.00pm) – this is subject to regular change so do check their site
Contact Details:
Website: https://www.romanbaths.co.uk/
Phone: 01225 477785
Email – heritage_weborderenquiries@bathnes.gov.uk
Address:
The Roman Baths, Abbey Church Yard, Bath BA1 1LZ
Getting there:
Click to open the route on Google Maps
Wander through Cheddar Gorge & Show Caves
Cheddar Gorge, in the Mendip Hills, is the UK’s biggest gorge with stunning cliffs, spectacular crags and drop-dead gorgeous pinnacles, making it one of England's most spectacular natural landscapes. This spectacular 3-mile-long gorge is free to visit and harbours many ancient secrets due to it being home to prehistoric Ice Age hunters living in the area several thousand years ago.
You’ll also find the site of the largest underground river system in the UK (the Cheddar Yeo) as well as the Cheddar Show Caves, a stunning 113 metre long stalactite cavern, first excavated in 1890 and - eventually in 1903 - giving up “Cheddar Man”, the oldest and most complete skeleton found in Britain to date.
This awe-inspiring limestone gorge was voted the “2nd Natural Wonder in the UK” (back in 2005 by Radio Times readers) and is still a hugely popular place to visit attracting over half a million visitors per year – so we recommend you get there early to avoid the crowds.
Whether it’s raining or sunny Cheddar Gorge and the Show Caves are always a great day out for the whole family!
Distance from By the Byre Holidays:
- 5 miles (41 kilometres)
Travelling Times (estimated):
- 50 minutes by car (dependent on traffic, please note parking may be limited)
- 2 hours 30 minutes by bicycle
- Approximately 1 hour by bus
Opening Hours (Gough’s Cave):
10am-5pm – this may be subject to change so do check the Show Cave website
Contact Details:
Website: https://www.cheddargorge.co.uk/ (paid admission to the caves)
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cheddar-gorge (free access into the Gorge)
Phone: 01934 742343
Email (for Gough’s Cave) – info@cheddargorge.co.uk
Address:
Cheddar Gorge and Caves, The Cliffs, Cheddar, BS27 3QF
Getting there:
Click to open the route on Google Maps
Walk up Glastonbury Tor & Take in the Views over an Ancient Land
Glastonbury Tor (called Ynys yr Afalon by the Ancient Britons) is a prominent conical hill that rises from the Somerset Levels and offers visitors breath taking views over nearby Glastonbury, as well as across the counties of Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire.
The Tor is topped by the roofless St Michael's Tower, a Grade I listing 15th century stone building that was once a complete church before being partially destroyed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
Steeped in legend and pagan beliefs, the Tor is also heavily linked with the legend of King Arthur and is believed to have the Holy Grail buried at its base. It was also the site of a rather grisly execution of an Abbot and 2 of his staff in 1539.
Thankfully it’s more a spiritual location to visit to relax these days and take in the beautiful views rather than a place to literally lose your head!
Distance from By the Byre Holidays:
- 26 miles (42 kilometres)
Travelling Times (estimated):
- 45 minutes by car
- 2 hours 15 minutes by bicycle
- Approximately 3 hours by bus
Opening Hours:
From dawn till dusk
Contact Details:
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/glastonbury-tor
Phone: 01278 751874
Email: – glastonburytor@nationaltrust.org.uk
Address:
Near Glastonbury, Somerset
Getting there:
Click to open the route on Google Maps
These are our top things to do in Somerset which we like to think are perfect for families and couples - but please do let us know your favourites too and we’ll be sure to list them here!