Learn all about alpacas, walk with them, then meet and feed the rare-breed sheep at Somerset Alpacas. Did you know that rays are actually flat sharks? Discover this and more at Bristol Aquarium. Or learn all about Somerset’s history, from prehistoric times to the present day, inside Taunton Castle at the Museum of Somerset.
Need more museums? The Somerset Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury explores rural life from the 1800s onwards. Don’t forget to climb the tor while you’re in town. Or how about the Museum of Brick and Tile, telling the story of brick- and tile-making, including one of the only traditional brick kilns to survive in southern England.
Fancy going underground? You’ve got caves, legends and adventure at Wookey Hole, or explore the gorge and caves and try freefall, rock-climbing and adventure caving at Cheddar Gorge. Or head for stage and screen at the Bridgwater Arts Centre, Taunton Brewhouse Theatre and the Princess Theatre in Burnham.
Visit Tropiquaria Zoo, is a small tropical house and zoo based in a 1930s art-deco BBC radio transmitter or Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm to meet spectacled bears, sun beetles, macaws, meerkats and more. Ride 20 miles of heritage track on the West Somerset Railway. Or raid the rockpools on beaches at Kilve, Minehead and Brean.
Keep your fitness up at 1610 Trinity Sports and Leisure Centre with its 45-station fitness studio, well-equipped free weights area and pool. Fish the five lakes at Trinity Waters or another five at Summerhayes Fishery. Park Run fan? Don’t miss a Saturday: get your name down and get down to Apex Park for 9am.
Discover a new contemporary art gallery and studio complex with exhibitions and events in nearby Watchet at East Quay. Tackle a challenging golf course that’s a good test for all levels of player, with greens built to USGA standard, at Cannington. Or explore the highways and byways on two wheels with On Your Bike.
Pick from a range of stunning walks, including The Coleridge Way, a 36-mile linear walk, The Southwest Coast Path (refuel in The Hood Arms), or any number of treks across the nearby Quantock Hills. Or support The National Trust with trips to Dunster Castle, Fyne Court, Montacute House and the Walled Gardens of Cannington.
Spot interesting wildlife at WWT Steart Marshes. Enjoy the views from the top of Burrow Mump. Take a tour and a tipple at Oakley Vineyard. Sip Somerset cider on tap in the orchard and gardens at Perry’s Cider Farm. Or come in November for the Bridgwater Carnival, the largest illuminated carnival in Europe.
Bring the spa experience to you with Love Pamper Company, a mobile beauty and massage company offering packages to large groups, couples and individuals. Ask about our 5% discount. Or how about gin and whisky tasting on site with Azu Spirits or an evening mixing Mojitos, with Cocktails and Games?
Couldn’t make it to Africa? You won’t meet the Big Five, but an Exmoor Wild Safari by Land Rover will give you an authentic countryside experience and the chance to see red deer and Exmoor ponies in their natural habitat. Or shoot clay with Clay Shots, Guns on Pegs or Ling Shooting.
Head down to the tap room, open from Tuesday to Saturday, at nearby Quantock Brewery. Celebrate cider country on the farm at Rich’s Cider, Burrows Hill or Sheppy’s. Visit Bridgwater College for low ropes, high ropes, climbing walls and more. Or splat your pals with paint at Cannington Park Outdoor Laser.
Put your trust in stag and hen specialists Black Rock for raft-building, high ropes, mountain boarding, treasure hunts or archery. Chuck axes, shoot arrows, canoe, paddleboard or fish at Wall Eden Adventures. Or head north for zorb football at Bristol Bubble Ball. Stick around for tag archery or turbo cricket.
