'The Jewel of the South West' keeps morphing into a bigger and brighter county every few years, drawing more and more visitors eager to spend their days out in Somerset doing something new and exciting. For those of you dusting off your caravans and stocking up for an expedition along the southern shore of the Severn Estuary, we could think of a few ways to spend those precious few days out in Somerset.
Helicopter Museum
A seaside resort steeped in Victorian history, Weston-Super-Mare is a great starting point for Somerset family days out. The UK's largest free admission theme park, Brean Theme Park, and the Helicopter Museum with the world's largest collection of aircraft are both in Weston-Super-Mare. The children could also enjoy a visit to the Water Adventure Play Park or AJ's Karting and lasertag arena. Visit in June for the Air Festival, or enjoy the beach rides and services offered by the lovely people at Weston Donkeys on warm Somerset days out with the children.
Mulberry Factory Shop
Drag the entire family to Shepton Mallet so the lady of the house can feast her eyes on discounted styles and exclusive factory specials at the Mulberry Factory Outlet. When she's had her fill of leather goods at this beautiful converted school, head over to Saint Peter and Saint Paul's Church in Shepton Mallet, which boasts a wagon roof, stained-glass windows and a pulpit dating back from medieval times. Then admire the Charlton Viaduct from Kilver Court Gardens, the 17th century hexagonal market cross in town centre, and The Shambles market stall nearby. As you head over to the various holiday parks nearby after your days out in Somerset, keep an eye out for the Cannards Grave roundabout, with its stone sheep and lamb sculptures whimsically sprinkled about the field, donning bonnets and other colourful accessories on festive occasions.
Visit Coleridge Cottage
Take a step back in time as you cross the threshold of Coleridge Cottage. This was Romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge's home of three years at the end of the 18th century. Living here with his wife Sara and his first-born baby Hartley, he produced some of his best-loved poems in Nether Stowey. The décor looks as though you've just missed him, but there will be actors at the museum posing as him, nonetheless. Spend your Somerset days out here and admire the poet's marble bust, his handwriting on original correspondence, his lock of hair, and various other artefacts scattered in every room of this small and homey museum. Then wander outside, where spotted pigs, colourful ducks and geese sculptures made of wire and twig roam through the small country garden. The original 17th century well and the jasmine bower made to resemble the one in "This Lime-Tree Bower my Prison" will give you an inkling of how much Wordsworth enjoyed visiting him here. Later, walk to nearby Quantock Hills, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, to admire the wild flowers that would have inspired Coleridge a century ago. Pull up and pitch up after your delightful Somerset family days out at one of the several holiday parks and caravan sites in the area, and set off on the 51-mile Coleridge Walk.
Dunster Castle
Once a feudal stronghold, Dunster Castle was home to the Luttrell family for 6 centuries. A timber castle dating back from the Norman Conquest at the beginning of the millennium, it has been extensively expanded and restored throughout the ages, transformed into a Victorian/Gothic building with an ornate 17th century carved staircase, and a picturesque Mediterranean garden. Take the Dunster Castle Express steam train from Bishop's Lydeard near Taunton, and travel in style to the castle. Should you have an inclination for spectres, then visit the crypt or take an immersive ghost tour.
Wookey Hole Caves
The largest cave system in the kingdom, Wookey Hole Caves in Wells is a year-round attraction with fun for everyone. Legend will have you believe the stalagmite in the first chamber is the infamous Witch of Wookey turned to stone by a monk, but a skeleton at the Wells and Mendup Museum nearby says otherwise. But there's much more to the place than a legend. Enjoy abseiling, climbing, crawling, making paper by hand, exploring the mystic fairy garden, roaming the valley of the dinosaurs, getting lost in the mirror maze, watching 4D shows, joining in on circus performances, and even meeting the wicked Wookey Witch herself. The holiday park at Bucklegrove will accommodate you with seasonal hardstanding pitches, but there are many other caravan sites around for shorter stays. However long you stay in Wells, England's smallest city, you're bound to fall in love with the splendid sights on your days out in Somerset, including its drawbridge portcullis and the Bishop's Palace.
