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Somerset's secret spots: a guide to lesser-known treasures

Discover the untold magic of Somerset with this carefully curated collection of hidden gems. Unlike the typical tourist hotspots, each point of interest in this selection forms part of a mysterious tapestry that reveals Somerset for the historical and cultural wonder it is. From ancient megaliths nestled in rolling hills to quaint villages brimming with tales of yore, Somerset conceals many treasures just waiting to be uncovered.

Tarr Steps
Tarr Steps

United Kingdom

Clapper bridge in Somerset, England

Muchelney Abbey
Muchelney Abbey

Somerset, United Kingdom

The atmospheric ruins of a medieval abbey surrounded by tranquil countryside.

Porlock Weir
Porlock Weir

Somerset, United Kingdom

A serene harbor village with rich maritime history and unique charm.

Selworthy Beacon
Selworthy Beacon

Somerset, United Kingdom

A stunning viewpoint atop rolling hills carpeted with heather.

Tarr Steps
Tarr Steps

Somerset, United Kingdom

A prehistoric clapper bridge traversing the scenic River Barle.

King Alfred's Tower
King Alfred's Tower

Somerset, United Kingdom

A fascinating folly with connections to King Alfred the Great.

Stogursey Castle
Stogursey Castle

Somerset, United Kingdom

The ruins of a Norman castle hidden within a picturesque village.

Culbone Church
Culbone Church

Somerset, United Kingdom

England's smallest church, tucked away in an ancient oak woodland.

Nettlecombe Court
Nettlecombe Court

Somerset, United Kingdom

An Elizabethan manor house nestled in the verdant Quantock Hills.

Dunster Dovecote
Dunster Dovecote

Somerset, United Kingdom

A well-preserved cylindrical dovecote, emblematic of medieval agricultural methods.

Burrow Mump
Burrow Mump

Somerset, United Kingdom

A striking hilltop ruin offering expansive views of the surrounding wetlands.

Ebbor Gorge
Ebbor Gorge

Somerset, United Kingdom

A dramatic limestone gorge cloaked with lush flora and fauna.

Blue Anchor Bay
Blue Anchor Bay

Somerset, United Kingdom

A tranquil pebble beach away from the crowds, ideal for relaxing walks.

Nunney Castle
Nunney Castle

Somerset, United Kingdom

A moated castle with a storied past, situated in a charming village setting.

Wellington Monument
Wellington Monument

Somerset, United Kingdom

A towering tribute to the Duke of Wellington set amidst picturesque scenery.

Glastonbury Tribunal
Glastonbury Tribunal

Somerset, United Kingdom

A 15th-century stone townhouse with deep ties to Glastonbury Abbey's history.

Westbury White Horse
Westbury White Horse

Somerset, United Kingdom

An enigmatic hill figure etched into the landscape, visible from miles around.

Holnicote Estate
Holnicote Estate

Somerset, United Kingdom

A vast area of moorland, woods, farms, and beaches steeped in history.

Fyne Court
Fyne Court

Somerset, United Kingdom

Hidden nature reserve and wild garden of the philosopher Andrew Crosse.

Bishop's Palace Wells
Bishop's Palace Wells

Somerset, United Kingdom

Stunning medieval palace still residence to the Bishops of Bath and Wells.

Combe Sydenham Hall
Combe Sydenham Hall

Somerset, United Kingdom

An Elizabethan manor full of history, including connection to Sir Francis Drake.

Saltford Brass Mill
Saltford Brass Mill

Somerset, United Kingdom

A remarkably preserved 18th-century brass mill on the River Avon.

Garden of the Chalice Well
Garden of the Chalice Well

Somerset, United Kingdom

An ancient well with gardens providing a place for quiet reflection.

Kilve Beach
Kilve Beach

Somerset, United Kingdom

Rich in fossils and striking rock formations, Kilve Beach is a geologist's paradise not overrun by tourists.

Barle Valley
Barle Valley

Somerset, United Kingdom

Picturesque river valley offering serene walking routes and wildlife spotting.

Cleeve Abbey
Cleeve Abbey

Somerset, United Kingdom

One of the best-preserved medieval Cistercian monastery cloisters in Britain.

Cheddar Reservoir
Cheddar Reservoir

Somerset, United Kingdom

A peaceful spot for birdwatching and wind sports away from the famous gorge.

Horner's Neck Wood
Horner's Neck Wood

Somerset, United Kingdom

Ancient woodlands known for its majestic oak trees and rare lichens.

Market House Castle Cary
Market House Castle Cary

Somerset, United Kingdom

A striking heritage building hosting a weekly market and community events.

Hestercombe Gardens
Hestercombe Gardens

Somerset, United Kingdom

Stunning historic gardens featuring designs by Gertrude Jekyll and Sir Edwin Lutyens.

The Holburne Museum
The Holburne Museum

Somerset, United Kingdom

Art collection housed in an elegant Georgian building at the end of Great Pulteney Street.

Cothay Manor
Cothay Manor

Somerset, United Kingdom

One of England's finest examples of a small medieval manor surrounded by magical gardens.

Lytes Cary Manor
Lytes Cary Manor

Somerset, United Kingdom

An intimate manorial house with an arts and crafts-style garden.

Vicars' Close
Vicars' Close

Somerset, United Kingdom

Claimed to be the oldest purely residential street with original buildings surviving intact in Europe.

Tyntesfield
Tyntesfield

Somerset, United Kingdom

A Victorian Gothic Revival house with gardens and parkland.

The Shoe Museum
The Shoe Museum

Somerset, United Kingdom

Small museum displaying shoes from Roman times to the present day, located in Street.

The Bakelite Museum
The Bakelite Museum

Somerset, United Kingdom

The largest collection of vintage plastics in Britain, celebrating the modern material culture.

Tarr Steps Clapper bridge in Somerset, England

Tarr Steps
Tarr Steps Clapper bridge in Somerset, England
Muchelney Abbey The atmospheric ruins of a medieval abbey surrounded by tranquil countryside.

Muchelney Abbey
Muchelney Abbey The atmospheric ruins of a medieval abbey surrounded by tranquil countryside.
Porlock Weir A serene harbor village with rich maritime history and unique charm.

Porlock Weir
Porlock Weir A serene harbor village with rich maritime history and unique charm.
Selworthy Beacon A stunning viewpoint atop rolling hills carpeted with heather.

Selworthy Beacon
Selworthy Beacon A stunning viewpoint atop rolling hills carpeted with heather.
Tarr Steps A prehistoric clapper bridge traversing the scenic River Barle.

Tarr Steps
Tarr Steps A prehistoric clapper bridge traversing the scenic River Barle.
King Alfred's Tower A fascinating folly with connections to King Alfred the Great.

King Alfred's Tower
King Alfred's Tower A fascinating folly with connections to King Alfred the Great.
Stogursey Castle The ruins of a Norman castle hidden within a picturesque village.

Stogursey Castle
Stogursey Castle The ruins of a Norman castle hidden within a picturesque village.
Culbone Church England's smallest church, tucked away in an ancient oak woodland.

Culbone Church
Culbone Church England's smallest church, tucked away in an ancient oak woodland.
Nettlecombe Court An Elizabethan manor house nestled in the verdant Quantock Hills.

Nettlecombe Court
Nettlecombe Court An Elizabethan manor house nestled in the verdant Quantock Hills.
Dunster Dovecote A well-preserved cylindrical dovecote, emblematic of medieval agricultural methods.

Dunster Dovecote
Dunster Dovecote A well-preserved cylindrical dovecote, emblematic of medieval agricultural methods.
Burrow Mump A striking hilltop ruin offering expansive views of the surrounding wetlands.

Burrow Mump
Burrow Mump A striking hilltop ruin offering expansive views of the surrounding wetlands.
Ebbor Gorge A dramatic limestone gorge cloaked with lush flora and fauna.

Ebbor Gorge
Ebbor Gorge A dramatic limestone gorge cloaked with lush flora and fauna.
Blue Anchor Bay A tranquil pebble beach away from the crowds, ideal for relaxing walks.

Blue Anchor Bay
Blue Anchor Bay A tranquil pebble beach away from the crowds, ideal for relaxing walks.
Nunney Castle A moated castle with a storied past, situated in a charming village setting.

Nunney Castle
Nunney Castle A moated castle with a storied past, situated in a charming village setting.
Wellington Monument A towering tribute to the Duke of Wellington set amidst picturesque scenery.

Wellington Monument
Wellington Monument A towering tribute to the Duke of Wellington set amidst picturesque scenery.
Glastonbury Tribunal A 15th-century stone townhouse with deep ties to Glastonbury Abbey's history.

Glastonbury Tribunal
Glastonbury Tribunal A 15th-century stone townhouse with deep ties to Glastonbury Abbey's history.
Westbury White Horse An enigmatic hill figure etched into the landscape, visible from miles around.

Westbury White Horse
Westbury White Horse An enigmatic hill figure etched into the landscape, visible from miles around.
Holnicote Estate A vast area of moorland, woods, farms, and beaches steeped in history.

Holnicote Estate
Holnicote Estate A vast area of moorland, woods, farms, and beaches steeped in history.
Fyne Court Hidden nature reserve and wild garden of the philosopher Andrew Crosse.

Fyne Court
Fyne Court Hidden nature reserve and wild garden of the philosopher Andrew Crosse.
Bishop's Palace Wells Stunning medieval palace still residence to the Bishops of Bath and Wells.

Bishop's Palace Wells
Bishop's Palace Wells Stunning medieval palace still residence to the Bishops of Bath and Wells.
Combe Sydenham Hall An Elizabethan manor full of history, including connection to Sir Francis Drake.

Combe Sydenham Hall
Combe Sydenham Hall An Elizabethan manor full of history, including connection to Sir Francis Drake.
Saltford Brass Mill A remarkably preserved 18th-century brass mill on the River Avon.

Saltford Brass Mill
Saltford Brass Mill A remarkably preserved 18th-century brass mill on the River Avon.
Garden of the Chalice Well An ancient well with gardens providing a place for quiet reflection.

Garden of the Chalice Well
Garden of the Chalice Well An ancient well with gardens providing a place for quiet reflection.
Kilve Beach Rich in fossils and striking rock formations, Kilve Beach is a geologist's paradise not overrun by tourists.

Kilve Beach
Kilve Beach Rich in fossils and striking rock formations, Kilve Beach is a geologist's paradise not overrun by tourists.
Barle Valley Picturesque river valley offering serene walking routes and wildlife spotting.

Barle Valley
Barle Valley Picturesque river valley offering serene walking routes and wildlife spotting.
Cleeve Abbey One of the best-preserved medieval Cistercian monastery cloisters in Britain.

Cleeve Abbey
Cleeve Abbey One of the best-preserved medieval Cistercian monastery cloisters in Britain.
Cheddar Reservoir A peaceful spot for birdwatching and wind sports away from the famous gorge.

Cheddar Reservoir
Cheddar Reservoir A peaceful spot for birdwatching and wind sports away from the famous gorge.
Horner's Neck Wood Ancient woodlands known for its majestic oak trees and rare lichens.

Horner's Neck Wood
Horner's Neck Wood Ancient woodlands known for its majestic oak trees and rare lichens.
Market House Castle Cary A striking heritage building hosting a weekly market and community events.

Market House Castle Cary
Market House Castle Cary A striking heritage building hosting a weekly market and community events.
Hestercombe Gardens Stunning historic gardens featuring designs by Gertrude Jekyll and Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Hestercombe Gardens
Hestercombe Gardens Stunning historic gardens featuring designs by Gertrude Jekyll and Sir Edwin Lutyens.
The Holburne Museum Art collection housed in an elegant Georgian building at the end of Great Pulteney Street.

The Holburne Museum
The Holburne Museum Art collection housed in an elegant Georgian building at the end of Great Pulteney Street.
Cothay Manor One of England's finest examples of a small medieval manor surrounded by magical gardens.

Cothay Manor
Cothay Manor One of England's finest examples of a small medieval manor surrounded by magical gardens.
Lytes Cary Manor An intimate manorial house with an arts and crafts-style garden.

Lytes Cary Manor
Lytes Cary Manor An intimate manorial house with an arts and crafts-style garden.
Vicars' Close Claimed to be the oldest purely residential street with original buildings surviving intact in Europe.

Vicars' Close
Vicars' Close Claimed to be the oldest purely residential street with original buildings surviving intact in Europe.
Tyntesfield A Victorian Gothic Revival house with gardens and parkland.

Tyntesfield
Tyntesfield A Victorian Gothic Revival house with gardens and parkland.
The Shoe Museum Small museum displaying shoes from Roman times to the present day, located in Street.

The Shoe Museum
The Shoe Museum Small museum displaying shoes from Roman times to the present day, located in Street.
The Bakelite Museum The largest collection of vintage plastics in Britain, celebrating the modern material culture.

The Bakelite Museum
The Bakelite Museum The largest collection of vintage plastics in Britain, celebrating the modern material culture.