At any time of the year, Somerset is a fantastic holiday destination for all the family. It’s perfect for a cycling or walking holiday in the UK. Other local highlights including a ride on a steam train with the West Somerset Railway, alpaca walking, great pub food and much more besides. There’s so much to see, do and enjoy, from tennis and swimming right on your doorstep to slightly further afield. These are our favourites, but there’s much more on offer too.
Within Wiveliscombe
Wiveliscombe’s Recreation Ground is five minutes’ walk from The Old Quarry. There are three all-weather tennis courts and an historic open-air heated swimming pool (www.wiveypool.net), which opens seasonally. For a small fee, these facilities can be enjoyed by guests if they bring the appropriate equipment and attire. It’s also home to the town’s rugby and cricket teams, which provide good entertainment on most weekends
A further five minutes’ walk takes you into the centre of the charming small rural town of Wiveliscombe itself. It’s a friendly place and it’s perhaps no accident that it’s the only place name in the UK to include the word ‘welcome’ (WivELisCOMbE)!! Despite a small population, the town boasts many local amenities since it also serves more rural outlying communities. Alongside other shops, there’s a multi-award winning butchers and an excellent grocers/deli. A Co-Op helps with all you’ll need for self-catering. Other amenities include a Post Office and a community/tourism centre, which provides a wealth of information for visitors on things to do in the area.
Local Food
If you fancy someone else doing the hard work for you, there are two cafés. Likewise, there are two pubs with excellent fare, including The Bear Inn where they have their own microbrewery. In addition, there are also Indian and Chinese takeaways and a Fish and Chip shop. Close to Wiveliscombe there’s some great alternatives too, such as The Rock Inn at Waterrow, The Globe pub restaurant at Milverton, the Anchor Inn at Hillfarrance and the White Post Cafe at Langford Budville.
Beer, Wine & Cider
Historically, Wiveliscombe was a famed brewing town and thrived on the trade. Today, as well as the microbrewery at The Bear Inn, both Exmoor Ales and Cotleigh Brewery are based in Wiveliscombe, with the latter offering tours. Less than five miles away, across the border into Devon, you’ll find Wellhayes Vineyard open for tours and tastings. Remembering that you are in Somerset, however, you might decide to visit nearby Sheppy’s Cider. They combine tours and tastings with a farm shop, a restaurant and a museum of cider-making.
Local Attractions
In terms of gardens and places of interest to visit locally, there’s so much to do. Cleeve Abbey is the closest. It’s not much further to Knightshayes Court and Gardens and Dunster Castle (both National Trust), with it working watermill. Nearby Hestercombe House also boasts gardens of national importance.
The Museums of Somerset (in Taunton) and of Mid-Devon Life (in Tiverton) are both well worth visiting. The nearby Bishops Lydeard Mill is also famed for its excellent tea room. For shopping, the county town of Taunton boasts quite an array and is just ten miles away.
Family Activities
There’s plenty for children too. Take a ride on a steam engine with West Somerset Railway or experience different machinery at nearby Diggerland. Try pony trekking across the Quantock Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), or feeding and walking with alpacas. Find more animals at Doniford Farm Park and its near neighbour, Tropiquaria Wildlife Park, or head out into bluebell woods with Devon Badger Watch to see these beautiful animals in the wild. Head to the beach at Minehead Terminus, thought to be the county’s best for its sand, sea, kite-surfing and windsurfing. If that’s not enough, there’s also fossil hunting on the shore at Kilve to keep the kids entertained.
Walking, Cycling, Golf & More
On top of this, Somerset is the home of the great outdoors. The Old Quarry is set in the Brendon Hills, so opportunities abound to immerse yourself in the beautiful landscape. To this end, we provide walking guides and a map for walking and cycling. You’re also close to both Exmoor National Park and the Quantock Hills, England’s first AONB. The highest hill in Somerset, Dunkery Beacon, is nearby as well as Exmoor’s famous Tarr Steps. If you prefer to stay more on the level, the Grand Western Canal at Tiverton is well worth a visit. You can take a trip on one of Britain’s last remaining horse-drawn canal boats and there’s more to do besides. Oake Manor, an excellent golf course, is nearby too. Exmoor is also home to Wimbleball Lake. Just over twenty minutes from The Old Quarry, there’s a host of water-based activities and high ropes to be found.
