What to Do – Where to Go

Around and About

We are on the south facing slopes of the Isle of Wedmore, 2 miles south of the village of Wedmore. Between the Somerset Levels and the Mendip Hills, Wedmore is a lively village with varied restaurants, a diverse range of quality food and other independent shops.

Wells is 15 minutes away with its famous cathedral, historic lanes, supermarkets, and thriving market. The Mendips offer Cheddar and Ebbor Gorges, challenging cycling and great walking. Weston-Super-Mare and Burnham-on-Sea have vast sandy beaches, seaside shops, family entertainments and restaurants. Within walking distance, take in Westhay Nature Reserve, a paradise for bird lovers, or our very legendary cider maker, Roger Wilkins. Mystical Glastonbury and Street, with Clarks Shopping Village, are also close by. Further afield, the cities of Bristol and Bath offer cosmopolitan culture, museums, bars and restaurants.

Wetland Nature Reserves

The Avalon marshes are a great network of accesible reserves for world-class wildlife and bird watching .

The Avalon Marshes are a world-class bird watching destination. A network of magnificent reserves owned by the RSPB, Hawk and Owl Trust, Natural England and the Somerset Wildlife Trust link across a flooded and low lying landscape.

The Somerset Levels lie well below high tide in the Bristol Channel, just a few miles away, and water is everywhere, controlled by a complex network of drains, rhynes (pronounced ‘reens’) and ditches. And wherever you are, Glastonbury Tor is visible.

Westhay Moor is just below us, a mile away down local footpaths. Somerset Wildlife Trust’s premier wetland reserve is reclaimed from the remnants of industrial-scale peat extraction, and home to the largest surviving remnant of lowland acid mire in the South West. From the Cart Shed you can hear the Bittern booming in the Spring, and tens of thousands of overwintering birds make it their home. It is home to 7 of the 9 UK breeding herons and has fabulous resident populations of wading birds, wildfowl and is home to otters, beguiling numbers of dragonflies and also raptors such as hobbies, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine and the odd Hen Harrier.

Further out, a visit to the salt marsh and sandy flats of the Severn Estuary and Steart Marshes will reward you well.

Glastonbury Tor and the Levels

Ancient Isle of Avalon, claimed to be King Arthur’s burial place (!)

Wherever you are on the Levels, Glastonbury Tor dominates the landscape. It’s not tall, just 160m high, but the ruined tower on the hill is an iconic and pervasive image. In turns iconic, desolate, misty and in glorious sunshine, it’s easy to understand the mystical power of the Isle of Avalon over these marshlands.

The peatlands are traversed by tracks built by neolithic hunters as long ago as 4,000BC, and have been used as a rich source of summer grazing, winter hunting and fishing, firewood since. Drained and enclosed in the late 1700’s, they have never lost the feel of remoteness.

Visit the Avalon Marshes Centre, Coates English Willow Centre, find a replica of the neolithic Sweet Track on Shapwick Heath, and feel the vibe from St Michael’s Ley Line, running straight through Glastonbury Tor.

Walking and Hiking

A ramblers’ paradise. Hills, nature reserves and long long sandy beaches.

The Avalon Marshes are an extensive local network of wildlife reserves owned by Natural England, the RSPB and Somerset Wildlife Trust, with miles of level trackways. Absorb the natural world as you walk along.

The West Mendip Way winds through the Mendip Hills AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) all the way from Brean Down on the Severn estuary right to the city of Wells, with magnificent vistas across Somerset on every step.

The sands of Brean Down and Burnham run for miles along the Severn Estuary. With a tidal range of 13m, the worlds 2nd largest, the retreating tide exposes vast sand and mud flats.

You don’t have to be a seasoned walker. There are lovely short walks all along the Mendips, or relaxing town strolls around Wells and Glastonbury. Fresh air and the natural world will follow you wherever you walk.

Glastonbury

Off-beat centre of the Arthurian myth

Close to the home of Glastonbury festival (actually a few miles way, in Pilton), Glastonbury is home to a unique and buzzing High Street, but very alternative! Lots of nice food places and cafes as well. The town wraps around the abbey precinct, source of Glastonbury’s medieval wealth. The abbey was violently dissolved by Henry VIII, and the majestic buildings mostly ruined. The Rural Life Museum has a beautiful monastic tithe barn in a modern and well curated exhibition space. Well worth a visit, as are the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey. Climb Glastonbury Tor, that’s a must.

Cycling – family friendly or demanding routes for all

Somerset is a justifiably popular cycling destination. We have a wonderful network of lanes, rolling countryside and lovely destinations.

National Cycle Routes 3 and 33 are on our doorstep, with leisurely lanes and tracks across the levels (flat!). Choose easy routes to pubs and tearooms in Wells, Westhay and Godney. Or take a picnic to the many local nature reserves in the Avalon Marshes

For more challenges, try the Mendips and Quantocks. Riding Cheddar Gorge, a Tour of Britain route, is a classic, and there are more demanding climbs for enthusiasts.

Wells

Bustling market town (city!) with wonderful cathedral and medieval roots.

The smallest cathedral city in Britain, Wells is a busy town with lots going for it. With great food and drink, it also has thriving Saturday and Wednesday markets in the lovely medieval cobbled market square, next to the ancient Bishop’s Palace and Cathedral Green. The Square is ringed by cafes, eateries and shops.

Our favourites include The Good Earth at the bottom of the High Street, or Goodfellows for a gourmet night out.

Tucker’s Fish and Chips is highly regarded, call first to book!

Wells has a full range of supermarkets, including Morrisons, Tesco, Waitrose and Lidl, and the High Street is well supplied with all the shops, banks, chemists etc. that you need.