Anne's favourites
Countryside Walks
Montacute
Circular walks around Montacute, built from local hamstone.
Park Covert - National Trust
Start from public footpath in Hollow Lane, Montacute.
Ladies Walk - National Trust
Start at village school, Montacute.
St Michael's Hill
Start from public footpath at Abbey Farm, Montacute.
Dog walking, watch the sun set. Car parks up the hill, 5 minutes drive.
56 locals recommend
Ham Hill Country Park
Ham Hill RoadDog walking, watch the sun set. Car parks up the hill, 5 minutes drive.
Local woodland ideal for dog-walking. Walk up the hill from the house or park on top of Ham Hill Road (TA14 6RW).
Hedgecock Hill Wood
Local woodland ideal for dog-walking. Walk up the hill from the house or park on top of Ham Hill Road (TA14 6RW).
Coney's Castle
Long LaneNational Trust stop-place en route to Jurassic Coast.
Cadbury Castle
Iron Age hill fort and limestone grassland with wild flowers.
Blackdown Hills AONB
Countryside walks, cycling and horse riding.
Castle Neroche
Dramatic limestone gorge with ancient woodlands near Wells and Wookey hole.
37 locals recommend
Ebbor Gorge National Nature Reserve
DeerleapDramatic limestone gorge with ancient woodlands near Wells and Wookey hole.
Cheddar Gorge
Horner Wood
Ancient oak woodland NNR on Holnicote Estate, Exmoor National Park.
Mendip Hills AONB
Cheddar Cave and Gorge, cliff top walks.
Heathland and wooded combes near the Jurassic coast of North Somerset.
118 locals recommend
Quantock Hills AONB
Heathland and wooded combes near the Jurassic coast of North Somerset.
Dorset AONB
South Dorset rolling countryside and stunning coastline.
Kingscombe Meadows Nature Reserve
Golden Cap
Great walks on top of the cliff between Seatown and Charmouth.
Hill chalk figure and countryside, village and pubs
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cerne-giant
67 locals recommend
Cerne Abbas Giant
24 Long StHill chalk figure and countryside, village and pubs
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cerne-giant
Trail following the coast of Dorset and Devon and beyond
https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/
7 locals recommend
South West Coast Path
South West Coast PathTrail following the coast of Dorset and Devon and beyond
https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/
A diverse landscape of rolling chalk grassland and ancient woodlands.
https://cranbornechase.org.uk/
8 locals recommend
Cranborne Chase AONB
B3081A diverse landscape of rolling chalk grassland and ancient woodlands.
https://cranbornechase.org.uk/
Exmoor National Park
Tarr Steps
Ancient clapper bridge crossing the River Barle SSSI.
National Trust
Historic houses, parkland and veteran trees, countryside walks.
Just around the corner with good food, great walks.
127 locals recommend
National Trust - Montacute House
Just around the corner with good food, great walks.
A gardener's garden, great for picnic in the orchard. Only 10 minutes drive. Tearoom in the village.
16 locals recommend
Tintinhull Garden
Farm StreetA gardener's garden, great for picnic in the orchard. Only 10 minutes drive. Tearoom in the village.
Barrington Court
Walks, orchards and garden, Christmas trees and mistletoe.
Lytes Cary Manor
Manor nearIntimate manor house with Arts and Crafts-style garden.
18th-Century landscape garden on the edge of Bath.
133 locals recommend
Prior Park Landscape Gardens (NT)
Ralph Allen Drive18th-Century landscape garden on the edge of Bath.
Palladian house and world-famous landscape garden.
109 locals recommend
Stourhead House The National Trust
High StreetPalladian house and world-famous landscape garden.
Birthplace of Thomas Hardy, cob and thatch cottage. Woodland and heathland walks.
62 locals recommend
Hardys Cottage
Birthplace of Thomas Hardy, cob and thatch cottage. Woodland and heathland walks.
Fossil Hunting
Request for our own list of fossil hunting tips: where to park, what to do, best places to go and more.
Charmouth Beach
Bring your own picnic, get there early.
Guided fossil hunts, book ahead. Local finds on display.
25 locals recommend
Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre
Lower Sea LaneGuided fossil hunts, book ahead. Local finds on display.
Park at the top of the stairs at Charmouth Road car park. Check the tides before you go.
81 locals recommend
Lyme Regis Beach
Park at the top of the stairs at Charmouth Road car park. Check the tides before you go.
Lyme Regis Museum
Historic building and town. Fossil collection.
Jurassic Coast - Cliff
South West Coast PathFossil hunting and walks,
World Heritage Site.
Kimmeridge Bay
Jurassic Coast fossils.
The Etches Collection, Museum of Jurassic Marine Life
Vast open space and a good day out near the Quantock Hills
https://ukfossils.co.uk/2004/10/20/kilve/
54 locals recommend
Kilve Beach
Vast open space and a good day out near the Quantock Hills
https://ukfossils.co.uk/2004/10/20/kilve/
Food scene
Café & Takeaway, street food with local ingredients, vegetarian/vegan options. Great food, friendly staff, great find!
https://www.theolddairycafe.uk/
14 locals recommend
Old Dairy Cafe
Back LaneCafé & Takeaway, street food with local ingredients, vegetarian/vegan options. Great food, friendly staff, great find!
https://www.theolddairycafe.uk/
The Phelips Arms
Beer garden, around the corner on the village square
https://www.phelipsarms.co.uk/
The Kings Arms Inn
49 Bishopston
Katy's Bakes @ The Reading Room
The Masons Arms
41 Lower Odcombe
Priory Coffee
Trough Farmshop & Cafe
Stone Lane
Pip’s Railway Carriage Cafe
Great stop for lunch and tea and cakes in a former Sunday school.
https://www.thefeedstationmerriott.co.uk/
22 locals recommend
The Feed Station
Sandy HoleGreat stop for lunch and tea and cakes in a former Sunday school.
https://www.thefeedstationmerriott.co.uk/
Award-winning restaurant & bar offering refined Modern British dining.
https://www.thebarringtonboar.co.uk/
21 locals recommend
Barrington Boar
Award-winning restaurant & bar offering refined Modern British dining.
https://www.thebarringtonboar.co.uk/
Craft cider making company, farm and orchards, near Illminster.
https://www.perryscider.co.uk/
16 locals recommend
Perry's Cider Mills
Craft cider making company, farm and orchards, near Illminster.
https://www.perryscider.co.uk/
Apples, orchards, harvesting, making cider and distilling brandy. Orchard walk, cider house, guided tours.
https://www.somersetciderbrandy.com/
19 locals recommend
Burrow Hill Cider Farm
Burrow WayApples, orchards, harvesting, making cider and distilling brandy. Orchard walk, cider house, guided tours.
https://www.somersetciderbrandy.com/
Lord Poulett Arms
High Street
The Firehouse Somerset
Church StreetA contemporary restaurant with a real connection to the people and the land.
https://holmsomerset.co.uk/
12 locals recommend
HOLM Somerset
28 Saint James's StreetA contemporary restaurant with a real connection to the people and the land.
https://holmsomerset.co.uk/
The Red Lion Inn
North Street
Symondsbury Kitchen
Mill Lane
Mercato Italiano ltd
Great place for afternoon tea, set beside the River Otter; with ancient traditions of flour milling, bread baking and much more.
http://ottertonmill.com/
37 locals recommend
Otterton Mill
Fore StreetGreat place for afternoon tea, set beside the River Otter; with ancient traditions of flour milling, bread baking and much more.
http://ottertonmill.com/
Our favourite place to go after a good fossil hunt, on the square in Axminster.
9 locals recommend
The Community Waffle House
Our favourite place to go after a good fossil hunt, on the square in Axminster.
Cafe Sladers
RYE Bakery, RYE Pizzeria & RYE Wine Bar
The Creamery
Brown & Forrest Smokery Restaurant & Shop
Hambridge Road
Lyme Bay Winery
Shute RoadBeaches and swimming pools
Tintinhull Swimming Pool
local pool, limited opening times, check their calendar first.
National Trust car park at Cogden, DT6 4RL
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/burton-bradstock/trails/the-cogden-circular
Cogden Beach NT Carpark
B3157National Trust car park at Cogden, DT6 4RL
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/burton-bradstock/trails/the-cogden-circular
National Trust - Burton Bradstock
Chesil Beach
National Trust car park at Ringstead , DT2 8NQ
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ringstead-bay
67 locals recommend
Ringstead Bay
National Trust car park at Ringstead , DT2 8NQ
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ringstead-bay
Lulworth Cove & Durdle Door, geology and walks, gets very busy
https://lulworth.com/visit/places-to-visit/durdle-door/
403 locals recommend
Durdle Door
Lulworth Cove & Durdle Door, geology and walks, gets very busy
https://lulworth.com/visit/places-to-visit/durdle-door/
Greenbank Pool
Wivey Pool Wiveliscombe Community Swimming Pool Club
The Recreation GroundWivey Pool Wiveliscombe Community Swimming Pool Club
The Recreation GroundSightseeing
Medieval abbey ruins near Langport, a landmark in the Somerset Levels.
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/muchelney-abbey/
17 locals recommend
Muchelney Abbey
Law LaneMedieval abbey ruins near Langport, a landmark in the Somerset Levels.
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/muchelney-abbey/
Museum and workshops on rural life and skills near Glastonbury
https://swheritage.org.uk/somerset-rural-life-museum/
35 locals recommend
Somerset Rural Life Museum
Chilkwell StreetMuseum and workshops on rural life and skills near Glastonbury
https://swheritage.org.uk/somerset-rural-life-museum/
The Willows and Wetlands Visitor Centre: willow grower, basket making workshops, museum and woodland trail.
https://www.coatesenglishwillow.co.uk/
30 locals recommend
Coates English Willow Visitor Centre
Stoke RoadThe Willows and Wetlands Visitor Centre: willow grower, basket making workshops, museum and woodland trail.
https://www.coatesenglishwillow.co.uk/
Iconic landmark and quirky town
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/glastonbury-tor
427 locals recommend
Glastonbury Tor
Iconic landmark and quirky town
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/glastonbury-tor
Shaftesbury Abbey Museum & Garden
Park Walk
Sherborne Abbey
Abbey Close
Wells Cathedral
Historic town, museum and arts & crafts
https://www.brutonmuseum.org.uk/
https://www.hauserwirth.com/locations/10068-hauser-wirth-somerset
85 locals recommend
Bruton
Historic town, museum and arts & crafts
https://www.brutonmuseum.org.uk/
https://www.hauserwirth.com/locations/10068-hauser-wirth-somerset
Iron Age hillfort with multiple ramparts near Dorchester
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/maiden-castle/
40 locals recommend
Maiden Castle
Maiden Castle RoadIron Age hillfort with multiple ramparts near Dorchester
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/maiden-castle/
Maiden Castle
Maiden Castle RoadPrehistoric stone circle and Manor
World Heritage Site
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/avebury
332 locals recommend
Avebury
Prehistoric stone circle and Manor
World Heritage Site
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/avebury
Country house with monastic roots, once home to William Henry Fox Talbot, inventor of the photographic negative
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock-abbey-fox-talbot-museum-and-village
170 locals recommend
Lacock Abbey
Country house with monastic roots, once home to William Henry Fox Talbot, inventor of the photographic negative
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock-abbey-fox-talbot-museum-and-village
Prehistoric stone circle and walks
World Heritage Site
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/
677 locals recommend
Stonehenge
Prehistoric stone circle and walks
World Heritage Site
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/
Historic town and early Gothic cathedral
https://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/salisbury
302 locals recommend
Salisbury Cathedral
Historic town and early Gothic cathedral
https://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/salisbury
Motte castle and Iron Age hill fort near Salisbury
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/old-sarum/
59 locals recommend
Old Sarum
Castle RdMotte castle and Iron Age hill fort near Salisbury
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/old-sarum/
The Roman Baths
Abbey ChurchyardNature conservation
Somerset levels and moors near Glastonbury
http://avalonmarshes.org/
65 locals recommend
Avalon Marshes Centre
Somerset levels and moors near Glastonbury
http://avalonmarshes.org/
Somerset national and local nature reserves
https://www.somersetwildlife.org/
29 locals recommend
Westhay Moor National Nature Reserve
Westhay Moor DroveSomerset national and local nature reserves
https://www.somersetwildlife.org/
Find a woodland nearby, bluebell woods and autumn leaves
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/
9 locals recommend
Somerset
Find a woodland nearby, bluebell woods and autumn leaves
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/
A plant rich grassland renowned for its orchids and a wet woodland
https://www.somersetwildlife.org/nature-reserves/edford-meadows
Edford Woods and Meadows
A plant rich grassland renowned for its orchids and a wet woodland
https://www.somersetwildlife.org/nature-reserves/edford-meadows
Saltmarsh and freshwater wetlands, a habitat for otters, owls, waders and wildfowl.
https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/steart-marshes#
23 locals recommend
WWT Steart Marshes
Stert DroveSaltmarsh and freshwater wetlands, a habitat for otters, owls, waders and wildfowl.
https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/steart-marshes#
A wetland teeming with wildlife and stunning views across the marshes to Glastonbury Tor.
https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/ham-wall/
58 locals recommend
RSPB Ham Wall
A wetland teeming with wildlife and stunning views across the marshes to Glastonbury Tor.
https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/ham-wall/
RSPB Swell Wood Nature Reserve