Somerset offers the green rural idyll many visitors to England are hoping to find. Warm and witty West Country charm, thatched cottages, country lanes, cider and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty abound here. In between grand Georgian Bath; historic centres like Taunton, Glastonbury and Wells; pretty rural centres Frome and Yeovil; and seaside charmers Minehead, Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon. The accommodation options here are as varied as the landscapes. We've unearthed some real treasures here from gorgeous country house hotels, to chic little B&Bs, family friendly properties and cosy pubs with rooms. Our pick of the best places to stay in Somerset are scattered all over this historic county — even within the boundaries of Exmoor National Park.
When it comes to sightseeing, Somerset has a lot to offer, and, even though it’s a cliché, there is something for everyone. Longleat is an obvious choice for families (its safari park is legendary), as are Wookey Hole and Cheddar Gorge, and of course the coastline. Walkers have a tough choice to make between the flat charms of the Somerset Levels, or more rolling landscapes of hills and dales, or dramatic tor-spiked Exmoor, among others. Somerset is littered with historic churches and sites of archaeological interest, including Roman ruins, stone circles, and some impressive Norman castles. The army of appeals makes it hard for our Gurus to pick amongst the best places to stay in Somerset, so you might find it easier to refine your search here and now, and peruse just the best B&Bs in Somerset, Somerset's best pubs-with-rooms, the best boutique hotels in Somerset, best hotels with hot tubs or most romantic hotels.