Rolling, verdant hills, quaint hamlets and a historic spa city make up Somerset. Among its many attractions are the Roman and Georgian city of Bath and the region’s array of vast, undulating parks. Get a sense of the local traditions and customs in the proud and fascinating villages of the West Country.
Stroll through the historic center of Bath to see its many highlights, such as the late 15th-century Bath Abbey. The impressive ecclesiastical structure stands beside the Roman Baths, built by the Romans about 2,000 years ago. Admire the elegant baths and see the open-air Great Bath in this Georgian and Roman building.
The source of the baths is England’s only mineral hot springs. Drink this water in the site’s restaurant. Snap photos of the row of majestic terraced houses that make up the Royal Crescent and cross the exceptional Pulteney Bridge, which is lined with shops.
Visit the Gothic Wells Cathedral in England’s smallest city, Wells. Admire the preserved religious district that includes the Bishop’s Palace and the medieval Vicars’ Close. Just outside the city is the large village of Cheddar, which gave its name to golden cheese. Delve into the caves of Cheddar Gorge.
Make your way through the tiny villages in Exmoor National Park. Somerset also has Quantock Hills and Mendip Hills as well as coastal towns, such as Minehead and Burnham-On-Sea. Listen for the distinctive Somerset accent, which has a rural twang that became known as a pirate accent in modern movies.
Find Somerset County in the so-called West Country on the southwestern tail of Great Britain. Fly to Bristol Airport, which is just outside Somerset’s northern border and drive east for 20 miles (30 kilometers) to get to Bath in about 45 minutes. The drive west from London to the heart of Somerset takes about 3 hours.
A tapestry of Roman history unravels across the swelling hills of Somerset.