Somerset space walk!

Somerset space walk is a great day out, essentially a scenic walk along the Taunton and Bridgwater canal with to scale models of the solar system. I have to say it was absolutely brilliant for helping me understand how big everything is in relation to each other and the distance between planets. Particularly brilliant for…

The mysterious Somerset Levels

The Somerset Levels is a vast, flat watery landscape that covers 170,000 acres. It reaches from Clevedon near Bristol in the north, to Ilchester in the south. Its western boundary is formed from Bridgwater Bay and the Bristol Channel beyond. The landscape is magical and evocative of ancient times. It is against this backdrop that…

Sutton Bingham

Sutton Bingham sounds like a rather refined character from a Jane Austen novel. In fact, it’s the site of a reservoir in South Somerset, just beyond the village of East Coker. According to ancestory.com ‘Sut’ is from the Old English word for South and ‘ton’ means enclosure or settlement. ‘Bing’ means hollow and ‘ham’ homestead….

Glastonbury Tor

We loved our trip to Glastonbury Tor. I have only visited the Tor a few times, even though this beautiful jewel in the crown of Somerset is located so nearby! I always assumed that ‘Tor’ was the little tower on top, but actually it means ‘a hill or a rocky peak’, and the roofless Grade…

Two of the best beaches near to me!

Living as I do in South Somerset, I’m actually really close to the Dorset border and I live a stones throw from the town of Sherborne in Dorset. It just so happens that the beaches nearest to where I live are in our neighbouring county. If you are staying in South Somerset and fancy a…

The Newt in Somerset, Bruton

I was really intrigued to visit The Newt, which had been recommended to me by a friend. It’s actually a mere 12 miles away from where I live now and where I grew up so it’s interesting that I’d never heard of it (more on that later). Bruton is accessible by train and is famous…

Two of the best play parks set in the Somerset countryside

Being a mum of three little ones, I have been to a lot of play parks over the last six years! I have to say, these two parks are two of my favourite – both safe and enclosed – and so beautifully set in the heart of the Somerset countryside. Hardington is a small village…

Ferne Animal Sanctuary, near Chard

This is a beautiful place, it’s a bit tricky to find through country lanes, so a sat nav would be handy. Ferne is a charity, so every penny goes to supporting the animals that you are going to see. The entry fees are reasonable and I have also been tempted to buy the annual pass,…

Ham Hill

Ham Hill has a special place in my heart. As a teenager, I used to hang out here with my college friends around the BBQ area, watching the green and orange fire flies light the sky in the evening. Ham Hill is situated above the village of Stoke Sub Hamdon, with amazing widespread views across…

Countryside in the heart of Yeovil

Yeovil Country Park is a beautiful area of green, close to the town centre. I usually just call it Ninesprings, but actually Ninesprings is one of five areas in the park which is so vast it also includes: Riverside walk, Summerhouse Hill, Wyndham Hill and Penn Hill Park. I had my kids in tow today and we…