It’s tempting to stay sitting beneath the branches, watching sunlight through the leaves and soaking up the birdsong, but we're also surrounded by spectacular landscapes, quintessential thatch-roofed villages and cultural hotspots such as Wells, Bruton, Frome and Bath. Whether you want to stay put and unwind or head out and explore, here are some of our favourite things to do:
Sip cider as the sun sets over the pond, lie in a hammock to read a book, stroll to the village pub for a pint (15 minutes’ walk away across the fields) or sit and star-gaze beneath our delightfully dark Mendip skies.
Enjoy a spot of forest bathing. We provide prompts to help get you started but just sitting out in the woods and soaking up the brustles and whispers of the trees around you is a magical way to unwind.
Head over to Vobster Quay for an open-water swim, dive or paddle-boarding session. Numbers are managed by membership but some sessions are open to non-members.
Walk around the spectacular castle at nearby Nunney, or along waterside paths near Mells (also home to the wonderful Walled Garden café, a well-stocked village shop and an excellent dining pub).
Wander the art, craft and food stalls at The Frome Independent market, browse independent shops, galleries and cafes in Frome or visit the Shepton Flea, a vintage and antiques fair.
Offbeat Shepton Mallet is home to vintage shops, boho cafés, a hip little Filipino restaurant and Kilver Court (home of Babycham perry and Showerings cider as well as a Toast outlet store and a ‘secret’ garden).
Go caving, hiking or cycling in the Mendip Hills. Cheddar Gorge is popular but Ebbor Gorge is slightly quieter, and handy for a pint of cider at the Queen Victoria Inn, in Priddy, on the way home.
Dip into the otherworldly Somerset Levels. Start among the crystal shops of Glastonbury, climb the Tor to get your bearings, then wend your way out among sleepy bird-rich waterways to the Sheppey Inn.
Browse the galleries, bookshops, clothes stores, restaurants and bakeries in Bruton (stopping off at the best chai wallah in Somerset). Just south are woodlands, gardens, restaurants and a Roman villa at The Newt.
Walk the glorious East Mendip Way (we can drop you and collect you at the start and end of each day), hike the trails at King Alfred’s Tower, or stroll around 18th century parkland at Stourhead.
