Ashton Windmill, Chapel Allerton
(tel 01934 712694)
(open pm Sun and BH Easter - Sep, plus pm Wed July-Aug)
Somerset's last complete mill, built in the 18th century and offering wonderful views over the Cheddar gorge and Somerset Levels.

Bath - please see our separate Guide to Bath

Cadbury Castle, South Cadbury
This huge Iron Age camp covering about 18 acres is quite a steep climb but free to those who get there. According to legend, King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, wake from their sleep here every Christmas Eve to ride down the hill and through the village on their pilgrimage to Glastonbury.

Castle Cary
Interesting medieval market town with a good selection of traditional, craft and antique shops. Visit Britain's smallest prison at the 18th century Roundhouse and the Vineyard at Honeywick, where award-winning wines are produced.

Cheddar Caves and Gorge
(tel 01934 742343)
(open all year excl. 24-25 Dec)
Two amazing caves with impressive stalactites and stalagmites and floodlights revealing the hues of pink, green and grey in the rocks, plus an exhibition on 'Cheddar Man', the country's oldest complete skeleton, that reveals life as it was 9,000 years ago. Outside, climb the 274 steps of Jacob's Ladder for a cliff-top view towards Glastonbury Tor, Exmoor and the distant sea. Cheddar Gorge is a magnificent limestone gorge with towering cliffs that cuts through the Mendip Hills. Fabulous vistas can be enjoyed from a variety of viewpoints driving through the gorge or from the cliff-top paths along the top.

Dunster
A pleasant town with fine medieval houses, market and market cross, 15th century priory church and an interesting doll museum in the Memorial Hall (open Apr-Sep).

Dunster Castle
(tel 01643 821314)
(Gardens open all year, Castle open Sun-Wed, Apr-Oct)
The Castle, largely rebuilt in the 19th century, enjoys a wonderful setting in 28 acres of parkland and gardens with exotic plants, terraced gardens and riverside walks. Special features inside include a 17th century oak staircase and brightly painted wall hangings in the Gallery.

East Somerset Railway, Cranmore
(tel 01749 880417)
(open daily, trains most days)
Also known as the Strawberry Line, the Railway was founded by David Shepherd, famous for his wildlife paintings. Steam trips, nine locomotives and rolling stock, engine shed, and art gallery.

Exmoor National Park
A protected wilderness straddling the Somerset and North Devon borders, extending as far as the coast to the picturesque seaside villages of Porlock and Lynton. The area is famous for its red deer and ponies. Horse-riding is popular with a number of stables scattered around.

Fleet Air Arm Museum
(tel 01935 940565)
(open daily, 10-16.30 winter, 10-17.30 summer; closed 24-26 Dec)
This Royal Naval aviation museum has superb exhibits, including computers for interactivities, simulations and tours.

Glastonbury
Glastonbury, situated in the lee of Glastonbury Tor, a grassy hill rising to 520ft above the Somerset Levels, lies at the heart of a region rich in legend, myth and history. According to Christianity, Jesus is said to have visited the site, while Joseph of Arimathea is thought to have brought the Holy Grail here (the chalice used by Christ at the Last Supper) and founded an Abbey in the 1st century. At the foot of the Tor, lies the Chalice Well, burial place of the Grail. It is also according to legend where Arthur and his queen, Guinevere were buried. These legends have helped create the town's New Age atmosphere of today, together with the famous annual Rock Festival. Walkers to the top of the Tor are well-rewarded with fabulous views across the Vale of Avalon.

Glastonbury Abbey
(tel 01458 832267)
(open daily year round)
A Celtic monastery in the centre of town founded in the 4th or 5th century, making this the oldest Christian foundation in England, and enlarged by St Dunstan to become the richest Benedictine Abbey in the country. Destroyed by fire in 1184, the ruins are those of the abbey completed in 1524 and destroyed in 1539, during the dissolution of the monasteries. Carved figures can be seen in the Lady Chapel, while the abbey's choir houses what is alleged to be the tomb of Arthur and Guinevere, giving rise to Arthurian connections and the identification of Glastonbury with Avalon.

Somerset Rural Life Museum
(tel 01458 831197)
(open Tue-Sun, Apr-Oct; Tue-Sat, Nov-Mar, cl. 25/26 Dec & Good Friday)
A 14th century tithe barn on the edge of the abbey grounds with displays of traditional local skills such as cider-making and basket-weaving, plus rare breeds, beehives and an orchard.

Hadspen Garden, Castle Cary
(tel 01749 813707)
(open Thu-Sun, BH, Mar-Sep)
Lovely five-acre gardens around 18th century house full of exotic plants and traditional varieties, plus a lily pond and pretty flower meadow. A 17th century walled garden features displays of old roses.

Hestercombe Gardens, Cheddon Fitzpaine
(tel 01823 413923)
(open all year)
Beautifully restored gardens originally designed by Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll, featuring sunken lawns, a water garden and raised walks. Also secret gardens and the Georgian garden with woodland walks and classical temples.

Horse World, Whitchurch
(tel 01275 540173)
(open daily Mar-Dec, weekends Jan-Feb)
Wonderful sanctuary for over 200 rescued and retired horses, ponies and donkeys, plus lots of other great attractions for horse-lovers and children. These include an interactive museum showing the origins of the horse, a donkey house where you can pet the donkeys and a twice-daily Parade of Horses.

Minehead
This cheerful seaside town with its beach and promenade, has been a favourite holiday spot since Victorian times. Steep lanes lead up from the lively harbour area, known as Quay Town, to Higher Town. The South West Coast Path that travels all around the West Country's stunning coastline, begins in Minehead. Delightful steam train trips also run from here with the West Somerset Railway, chugging along the coast to Watchet and then inland to Bishops Lydeard, stopping at several little stations en-route.

Montacute House, Montacute (NT)
(tel 01935 823289)
(House and garden open daily excl. Tue 23 Mar - 3 Nov, Garden open Wed-Sun 6 Nov - Mar)
Magnificent 16th century house in beautiful village with Elizabethan and Jacobean paintings from the National Portrait Gallery, furniture, ceramics, tapestries and fine panelling. Formal gardens with old roses and landscaped park. Featured in the film Sense and Sensibility.

Tropical Bird Gardens, Rode
(tel 01373 830326)
(open all year except 25 December)
Large collection of tropical birds in a lovely country setting. Also pets' corner and miniature railway.

Wells
England's smallest city is an attractive place to wander around with fine medieval buildings, antique shops, the beautiful Cathedral and 13th century Bishop's Palace.

Wells Cathedral
(open all year)
The spectacular West front is considered by many to be Britain's finest cathedral facade, carrying some three hundred medieval figures of saints and kings originally painted and gilded. The interior features scissor-shaped arches, a 14th century clock with jousting horsemen, fine narrative carvings of figures in the transepts, and beautiful stained glass in the 14th century Lady Chapel.

Wookey Hole Caves, near Wells
(01749 672243)
(open daily except 17-25 Dec)
Guided tours complete with tales of folklore, take you through these dramatic tunnels and caverns, with deep pools and rock formations. Special effects and lighting add to the atmosphere. There is also a paper mill and an Edwardian fairground.

Ashton Windmill

@Bristol, Bristol Harbourside

Cheddar Gorge

Dunster Castle

East Somerset Railway

Exmoor Ponies

Glastonbury Abbey

Glastonbury Tor

Hestercombe Gardens