Exciting and diverse things to do with kids in Somerset

You’ll want for nothing while out with the kids in Somerset. From caves to amusement parks and more, there’s plenty of fun for the whole family here. If you’re looking for something refreshing, you can take the kids outside to explore the beautiful landscape. For a more educational adventure, try visiting a museum. Parts of Somerset are on the coast, making it a great destination for beach lovers, plus there are plenty of attractions for animal lovers and thrill-seekers here. Learn about top activities and attractions for family days out in Somerset.

Take in Somerset’s rich history on family days out in Somerset

1. Learn about Somerset history while exploring the Museum of Somerset

Learn the extraordinary history of Somerset at the Museum of Somerset, located in the 12th-century Taunton Castle, a Grade I Listed Scheduled Ancient Monument. The museum features 9 themed galleries, including a look at 400 million years of the area’s changing landscape, early farming and settlers, transportation and a military museum. Behind the museum is The Glass Bridge, which takes you to the delightful Goodland Gardens, which feature a 3-section park and a natural amphitheatre. This nature-made venue hosts events ranging from live music to theatre performances. The family can learn about Somerset’s extensive history, explore a castle and see quality entertainment. Be sure to check out their website for updated information on upcoming opportunities.

2. Bask in the spiritual wonderment of Glastonbury Abbey

The Glastonbury Abbey is a place of legends, including age-old folklore. One such piece of lore is that King Arthur and Queen Guinevere are allegedly buried here. It’s one of the earliest abbeys in England, and Glastonbury is reputedly the origin of Britain’s earliest Christian foundations. The abbey sits on a total of 14.5 hectares and also hosts events, such as Shakespearean plays and a ‘Medieval Fayre’. Its beauty and enchanting grounds will make for a serene day out with the kids.

3. Go back in time while visiting an 1800s village and Allerford Museum

The Allerford Museum in West Somerset comprises the West Somerset Rural Life Museum, The Victorian Schoolroom and The West Somerset Photographic Archive. The schoolroom and the museum, home to thousands of artefacts from the 1800s to the 1950s, are housed in Allerford’s old schoolhouse, which operated from 1821-1981.

The schoolroom has been restored to its original 1821 state, giving visitors a glimpse into the Victorian Era. Kids can dress up in available Victorian school clothes, and there are school slates and toys for kids to play in the schoolroom. The village of Allerford itself is charming, quaint and full of things to explore. You’ll also find a selection of eateries, making this a great area for a fun family day out in Somerset.

4. Visit a World Heritage site at Bath

In 1987, UNESCO declared The City of Bath to be a World Heritage site because of its ties to Roman history, 18th-century Georgian life, hot springs and more. The Romans founded Bath in the 1st century AD and specifically chose the site because of its hot springs, which made up the epicentre of the city. During this time, Bath had a reputation for being a ‘spa town’.

During your day out with the kids in Somerset, you can visit the Thermae Bath Spa, where you can relax and bathe as the Romans did. There’s plenty more to do for visitors in Bath, including touring a 250-year-old Georgian townhouse, learning about William Herschel, the astronomer who first identified Uranus, or taking a small day trip to Stonehenge, one of the world’s wonders.

Take delight in visiting Somerset’s Animal Attractions

5. Be amazed by majestic owls and more at Exmoor Owl and Wildlife Sanctuary

For a fun and educational family day out in Somerset, visit the Exmoor Owl and Wildlife Sanctuary, where the whole family is sure to enjoy watching these beautiful creatures fly and then land on your gloved hand. The sanctuary is also home to hedgehogs, birds of prey and a pony, which are all sure to delight your little ones.

This sanctuary has been rehoming and rehabilitating animals for over 35 years, focusing on the importance of both animal health and caretaker education, which led to the sanctuary to create programs like Gentle Horse and Rider. In this workshop, you’ll learn about how to connect with your horse partner and yourself in an environment of equine therapy.

6. Check out the family-owned Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm

With over 200,000 visitors a year, Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm is a popular destination for things to do with kids in Somerset. This zoo is a family-owned, award-winning operation that is working towards becoming an official ‘green zoo’ through its sustainability and conservation efforts. The zoo offers educational programs as well, which have been accredited by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom. Outside of educational programs and the opportunity to see animals, your family can also visit the Play and Adventure area.

7. Venture through the Animal Farm Adventure Park

At Animal Farm Adventure Park, you and your family can interact with animals like wallabies, foxes and more, and visit the attractions. You can feed the llamas or get up close to animals in the ‘cuddle club’, including a Welsh pig and an alpaca. Your kids are sure to enjoy the range of animals from the gorgeous peafowl to the majestic white fallow deer. You can even handle some of the creepy-crawly animals like snakes and a tarantula. Of course, all of this is supervised by the trained staff.

The park has many attractions as well for a full day out with the kids. Indoors, your family can let loose in the indoor playbarn. There is even an area exclusively for children under 3. The giant play castle is a favourite with its 3-level turrets and endless opportunities for medieval imagination. Kids will also love the giant trampoline area and tractor-shaped wooden climbing structures to play on. The Adventure Park is a great place for children to experience both adorable animals and great playtime.

8. Help preserve the wetlands at Westhay Moor

Westhay Moor National Nature Reserve is an essential part of the local ecology. For a long time, people used this area to extract peat, which was useful for producing both fuel and fertilizer. Now, the Somerset Wildlife Trust has taken over protecting and restoring this area. At this 106-hectare preserve, you can walk along trails that take you to various hides and view of wet woodlands and reedbeds. You can enjoy some birdwatching here, and you might spot Exmoor ponies and cattle if you visit in summer or autumn.

Let loose at Somerset kids’ attractions

9. Experience the height of family fun on a day out at Brean Leisure Park

Don’t miss out on a family day out at Brean Leisure Park, a complex that includes attractions such as a water park, a gym, golfing, an indoor play area and a theme park. The nearly endless options here mean that any member of the family, no matter what age, should be able to find something perfect for their tastes and interests.

For those with especially little ones, check out Brean Play, a huge indoor play area that’s great for entertaining the little ones on a rainy day. The play place is divided into 3 sections based on age, and the rooms are tastefully filled with lots of colours and stimulating sensory experiences. Older children up to age 11 can play on the climbing frame, while babies and toddlers have many soft toys from which to choose.

10. Visit Somerset’s famous Wookey Hole Caves

Wookey Hole Caves is a colourful, wacky and highly entertaining attraction consisting of caves filled with stalagmites, limestone and stalactites, as well as stunning views around the property. Here, you can learn about the history of the caves, including what groups of people lived in them and how they may have lived in ancient times. Your kids are sure to enjoy the opportunity to learn legends about witches and more in this gorgeous setting.

Other attractions on the premises include a fairy garden, pirate golf and animatronic dinosaurs. If you’re looking for something more calming, step out for their Woodland Walks to enjoy a family-friendly trail through the valley that the cave site is underneath.

11. Enjoy family fun with indoor and outdoor attractions at the Grand Pier

The Grand Pier is a great place to find things to do with the kids in North Somerset. More than just a pier, this tourist attraction offers many unique choices for kids and adults alike. For instance, you can visit the Museum of Memories, which houses thousands of retro and foregone memorabilia from children’s toys, TV programs, cereals and more.

Luckily, rain or shine, you can also visit their indoor play area, featuring everything from go-karts to a crystal maze. They even have mini-karts for small children. You’ll also find a rollercoaster, an F1 simulator, a House of Horrors and other thrilling attractions for older children.

12. Find endless fun among the Butlin’s fairgrounds

Butlin’s fairgrounds comprise 3 areas you can choose to visit: Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness. Each of these fairgrounds has a unique appeal and options for family fun. At Bognor Regis, you can treat your family to a day filled with outdoor fun complete with a traditional fair carousel and rides that spin you and swing you around.

Butlins is a seaside resort, and Minehead is a fairground that faces the sea. This area has fun for adults and kids alike, including vintage games and modern rides. Be sure to ride the Paratrooper, which is an umbrella that whirls around until you’re at the top of the resort. The last of the fairgrounds, Skegness, also prides itself on fun for the whole family and features many of the same traditional and updated fairground rides as the other Butlin’s fairgrounds.

Beautiful and striking nature sites

13. Discover the calming powers lavender at Somerset Lavender farm

Lavender has many uses and is widely known for its calming effects when used in aromatherapy. At Somerset Lavender, you can find over 20 varieties of the beautiful lavender plant, totalling over 50,000 plants across 5 acres. Visit the healing garden, which includes herbs such as thyme and echinacea, or take a stroll through the rose garden. Thanks to all of this fragrant beauty, the farm sees its fair share of bees and butterflies, and the owners even make their own honey. Somerset Lavender is open seasonally, so make sure you check their availability.

14. Find peace and tranquillity at The Walled Garden

For a relaxing family day out in Somerset, consider a visit to The Walled Garden, where you’ll find not only the tranquil gardens, but beautiful meadow views and an onsite cafe with an outdoor pizza oven. The garden features several sections, including a greenhouse, a rectory cottage, a pond and more.

The gardens are suitable for small children, but the owners do ask that you keep an eye on children around the ponds and keep them from climbing any trees for safety reasons. You can also find gardening workshops and a nursery shop here so that you can bring the magic to your own home.

15. Explore the historic Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve

Covering 500 hectares, the Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve is a historic area full of habitat surprises. The landscape’s human history dates back as far as 6,000 years ago when Neolithic people lived there. They created trails throughout the terrain, and one, the Sweet Track, has been preserved. A replica trail has been fashioned beside it for visitors to walk alongside. On a day out with the family, consider taking the Discovery Trail. This trail is specifically designed for easy access for families and those in wheelchairs.

Where to eat in Somerset

16. Get your fill at this seafront restaurant delight

Lasseter’s Restaurant and Bar is located on the Weston-super-Mare seafront at the historic Winter Gardens Pavilion, which served as the base for the BBC during World War II and later became a music venue where such acts as David Bowie performed. At Lasseter’s, you can enjoy small bites as well as main courses and dessert, all with an unbeatable view. For the main course, you can choose from 3 types of meat or a vegetarian loaf, each served with seasonal vegetables.

17. Indulge the kids at a kid-friendly restaurant with a play area

Meadows Restaurant is located at Puxton Park, making it a perfect fit for children. Here, you’ll find locally sourced meat, fresh Sunday carvings of Puxton farm-raised lamb and pork and seasonal vegetables. While you’re here, be sure to check some of the many attractions before or after you grab a bite to eat. You can choose from the adventure area, indoor soft play area, water pursuits, the Puxton Farm, tractor tracks, an animal zone and a miniature railway. They’ve given serious effort in covering all bases for kids entertainment. The kids will undoubtedly be well-rested that night, as there’s even a play area in the Meadows Restaurant. You could truly make a day of it.

18. Enjoy all-day breakfast and more

The Milton Larder is a kid-friendly restaurant best-known for its famous cheesecakes. Flavours change regularly, but you’re sure to be in for a treat. They also have sandwiches, wraps and an extensive kids’ menu. Luckily for parents, they also serve espresso drinks. You can also find rotating buffet menus, including an afternoon tea served with finger sandwiches, scones and more. Saturdays feature a special breakfast menu, including favourites such as beans and mushrooms on toast with gravy.

19. Don’t forget the sweet treats

If you’re having a craving for something sweet, as the children surely are, then stop by the ever-popular PJ’s Ice Cream Parlour, where the staff crafts the ice cream into art. Some of the designs include favourite characters like Pokemon and unique swirly designs with caramel and fruit accentuating the look. The flavours rotate, but you’re sure to find a flavour to please every family member. You’ll find classics like Reese’s Pieces peanut butter and some more acquired tastes, such as chunky ginger. They also have thick milkshakes and slush drinks.

Best beaches in Somerset

20. Relax among the resort, fairgrounds and soft sands at Brean Beach

If you check out the fairgrounds or resort at Brean, be sure also to see the sandy beach that includes dunes and mud flaps. You’ll find ample parking here, and dog walking is especially popular on this beach. Be wary of the mudflats, as they are dangerous at low tide and not for children to explore. However, older children may enjoy the climb to the ruins of a 19th-century fort built in defence of a Napoleonic invasion.

21. Head to a classic beach at Burnham-on-Sea

Burnham-on-Sea’s Main Beach is a popular family beach lined with a row of Edwardian guest houses that add to the enchantment of the area. For a unique and charming experience, you can enjoy a donkey ride down the beach sand. The beach has a launch area for boats and personal watercraft, and swimming and paddling are popular here as well. From babies to older children, everyone can relax and splash in the water, and there are lifeguards on duty during the summer.

22. Play with the kids at Minehead Beach

Minehead Beach, also known as The Strand, features sand and tide perfect for beach play. For instance, you can have a wonderful time with the kids building a sandcastle, or you can take them to explore rock pools or search for fossils. The Strand is a resort area and can be bustling in the busy seasons. Be aware that there are no lifeguards on duty at this beach.

23. Experience the pebble-lined Victorian beach at Clevedon

Clevedon Beach was popular during the Victorian era, functioning as a resort at that time. The beach is more pebble-lined than sandy, but it is beautiful all the same. While walking, you can appreciate the calming sounds of the water and the beautiful landscape. There is a popular promenade that leads to other nature walks to discover and enjoy. For an incredibly charming seaside walk, try The Poet’s Walk, where many famous poets, including William Wordsworth, would stroll for relaxation and inspiration.