Somerset, GB holiday rentals: cottages & more

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Destination guide

Escape to the country with Somerset holiday cottages

Somerset is the West Country in a nutshell, a land of soft, green hills and quaint towns, round tors and thatched-roof pubs. It spreads out from the Bristol Channel to the depths of the Blackdown Hills, covering a great cut-out of England with its bucolic landscapes of farm fields and woodlands. It's a magnet for hikers and beachcombers, and there are Somerset holiday lettings dotting the wide sands and the pretty countryside alike. Others will be close to enthralling towns, like Bath and Bristol, where hip bars, excellent shopping and even ancient Roman ruins are on the menu.

Things to do

Seeing the main attractions of Somerset

The high hill of Glastonbury Tor is steeped in Celtic myths and legends of King Arthur. It's a National Trust site that comes capped with the haunting Chapel of St Michael and surrounded by sweeping views of the whole Somerset region. Stunning Wells Cathedral is a treat for the history buffs. It artfully showcases the English Gothic style and is adorned with beautiful stained-glass windows, which cast jewelled beams on the floors, inside. Those looking for holiday cottages in the green Mendip Hills can head to Cheddar Gorge for tastes of cheese and walks through wild caverns. And, talking of caverns, a visit to the deep Wookey Hole Caves promises an adventure underneath the county's surface.

Activities

Sightseeing in and around Somerset

Are you hoping to discover top things to see and do in the area? Venture out of your holiday home and check out everything that Somerset has to offer. Here are some of the major attractions to put on your list, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city centre:

Techniquest (26.8 mi / 43.2 km)
We The Curious (28.2 mi / 45.3 km)
Bristol Zoo (28.6 mi / 45.9 km)
Somerset Speedway (8.9 mi / 14.4 km)
Burnham and Berrow Golf Club (10.7 mi / 17.2 km)
Ashton Windmill (11.1 mi / 17.8 km)

Outdoor activities

Hill walking aplenty around Somerset holiday cottages

This great swathe of the West Country could just be home to the best hill walking in all of England. Outdoorsy types can bag themselves a Somerset holiday rental in the wooded vales around reserves like the Mendip Hills or the Exmoor National Park. They are criss-crossed by miles of marked trails. Some connect the limestone ridges about Cheddar Gorge to the beautiful reaches of the Cotswolds. Others wriggle through salt-washed coastal villages, like Lynton and Culbone, before delving into the ancient Hoaroak Valley, where pre-historic human settlements await. Other important nature reserves include the Quantock Hills, in the north, and the flower-strewn Blackdown Hills, to the south.

Natural features

Exploring the natural landscape of Somerset

Whether you're an active traveller or just want to spend some time taking in the scenery, Somerset is a great place to get out in nature. Here are a few of the area's most stunning features, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city centre:

Wookey Hole (14.6 mi / 23.6 km)
Cheddar Gorge and Caves (14.7 mi / 23.6 km)
Wills Neck (11 mi / 17.6 km)
Sand Bay Beach (18.8 mi / 30.3 km)
Dunster Beach (21.8 mi / 35.1 km)
Mapperton Gardens (23.6 mi / 37.9 km)

Beaches

Discover Somerset holiday homes by the beaches

With wide, long lengths of honey-coloured sand fringing its shores along the Bristol Channel, Somerset is a popular place for lovers of English beaches. Some of the best are:

Brean, which seems to just keep going and going – there's loads of parking and room for beach games there
The rocky, pebble beach at Stolford – it's great for walkers and has sweeping views over the Bristol Channel
Sand Bay – a great place to head to for secluded walks with your 4-legged friend – just be sure to book a Somerset holiday cottage that's pet-friendly
Burnham-on-Sea Beach, which is home to Victorian and Edwardian buildings and plenty of traditional seaside enjoyments – arcades, cafes, fish and chip shops

How to get there

Travelling to and around Somerset

The nearest airport is in Bristol (BRS-Bristol Intl.), located 22.1 mi (35.6 km) from the city centre. If you can't find a flight that works for your travel itinerary, you could book a flight to Cardiff (CWL-Cardiff Intl.), which is 26.8 mi (43.1 km) away.

If you prefer to travel by train, Bridgwater Station, Highbridge & Burnham Station and Taunton Station are the main stations that serve the city.

How to get around

The best ways to get around Somerset

Somerset is a whole cut-out of the English West Country. It goes from the English Channel to the town of Yeovil, and covers largely rural swathes of the UK. That means it can be tricky to get around if you don't have access to your own wheels. There are a couple of local bus and train routes, but they mainly connect the biggest towns and cities. The good news is that pretty much all Somerset holiday homes out in the countryside will come with dedicated parking spaces. You'll just need to be ready to navigate winding, narrow lanes to get to them.

Food & drink

Things to eat around your Somerset holiday rental

If there are 2 things you simply must try when visiting Somerset, it's local cheese and cider. The town of Cheddar is the obvious place to go to sample the 1st – it's the namesake of England's favourite cheese. Although only a few small makers still exist in the area, you'll be able to say you tasted the delicious dairy delight in the place that gave it its name. Scrumpy cider, cloudy and tangy with West Country apples, is available all over the place. Drop into a local country inn to enjoy their craft brew tipples – it's the perfect refreshment on a sunny day.

Essential info

Some facts and figures to know about Somerset

Taunton is the county town of Somerset
Somerset has a population of 545,000
Nearly half of Somerset's population lives in the countryside
Bristol Airport is a convenient arrival point, located just 22 miles from the northern border of Somerset
It's wise to pack waterproofs and good hiking boots if you're planning on trekking in the Somerset hills

How many holiday rentals are available around Somerset?

Our 2020 accommodation listings offer a large selection of 2,651 holiday lettings around Somerset. From 1,062 cottages to 1,863 houses, find unique self catering accommodation for you to enjoy a memorable stay with your family and friends for a long holiday or a weekend break.

What are the most popular destinations to visit in Somerset?

There are many lovely places to stay for a long holiday or just a weekend break in Somerset. From Vrbo UK travellers, the popular destinations to visit are:

Taunton: 654 holiday homes
Porlock: 320 holiday homes
Cheddar: 298 holiday homes
Yeovil: 452 holiday homes
Wells: 363 holiday homes

Vrbo UK offers you the possibility to discover many other popular destinations in Somerset! Please use our search bar to access the selection of self catering accommodations available in other popular destinations.

What are the main cities to discover in Somerset?

Whether you are travelling solo or with family and friends, here are the cities in Somerset with the largest selection of holiday lettings for a perfect city break:

Taunton: 654 holiday lettings
Cheddar: 298 holiday lettings
Yeovil: 452 holiday lettings
Wells: 363 holiday lettings
Langport: 287 holiday lettings

For other cities, please use our search bar to access the selection of holiday homes available.

Can I find easy access holiday homes when travelling by plane to Somerset?

Yes of course. Our owners offer a large selection of self catering accommodations near to airports. Airports with a large selection of self catering accommodations in Somerset are:

Yeovilton (YEO-Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton): 637 self catering accommodations
Taunton (TTY-Taunton Bus Station): 661 self catering accommodations
Bristol (BRS-Bristol Intl.): 1,006 self catering accommodations

For other airports, please use our search bar to access the selection of holiday rentals available.

What are the most popular points of interest and landmarks to stay near in Somerset?

Vrbo UK offers a large selection of holiday lettings near great places to visit in Somerset. From Vrbo UK travellers, the top popular points of interest to stay for a holiday trip or just for a weekend are:

Royal Bath and West Showground: 920 holiday rentals
Cheddar Gorge: 1,018 holiday rentals
Tintinhull House Garden: 836 holiday rentals
Tarr Steps Clapper Bridge: 775 holiday rentals
Glastonbury Abbey: 637 holiday rentals

But there are many other points of interest around Somerset listed on Vrbo UK where you can find your place to stay. Just write your wanted destination in our search bar and have a look at our selection of holiday accommodations.