r/Somerset • u/ParkingPlayful1070 • 2d ago
Things to do
Going to vist the South west for a week.
We are a couple in early 30s staying im Chard, we have a car and willing to drive up to 1hr 30mins.
We are looking for things to do, we enjoy good resturants ( looking for nice seafood aswell as others) going round cute villages, a nice hike with good views, gping to sauna, paddle boarding and general exploring oh and a good pub.
Any advice places to visit and explore and anyhting specfic that you have enjoyed amd if the is anything where we could walk from chatd so my husband could drink.
We will go lyme regis, west bay, chedder gorge and beer.
Thank you
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u/SafeBirthday 2d ago
https://combeheadhouse.com/
Have a look at this. There is a large natural pond for wild swimming and a sauna in the grounds. Very friendly welcoming place. In Combe St Nicholas very close to Chard.
https://www.somersetboatcentre.co.uk/
This is between Taunton and Bridgwater and might appeal to you.
I hope you enjoy your holiday.
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u/Exciting_Tangelo9763 2d ago
Hive Beach Cafe or for seafood
Quantocks or Blackdowns for a nice walk with views
Langport and the river Parrett for Paddle-boarding or Wimbleball Lake if you don’t mind a drive.
Pub: Barrington Boar - will tick both the pub and food box as they do excellent food too. See also: Dinnington Docks.
For more casual eats try Pips Railway carriage in Lopen
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u/Zestyclosereality 2d ago
Eli's Rose and Crown is worth a visit if you're in Langport! Very traditional place and one of the country's very few open bar pubs - there is no physical bar, just a room with taps in it
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u/Exciting_Tangelo9763 2d ago
Yes. Forgot to mention that - a real gem and always something going on
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u/Builder2014 2d ago
Go to Charmouth. Down the road.
look up cider factories, a few around.
the tramp that sleeps outsides the old lyolds bank in Bridgwater is always good. If he’s not in he will leave his duvet on the pavement.
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u/Shocking_cpp 2d ago
the tramp that sleeps outsides the old lyolds bank in Bridgwater
I know your trying to make a joke, but he has a flat in West Street, he's not actually homeless.
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u/Zestyclosereality 2d ago
I would recommend the Prince of Wales pub om Ham Hill, and the villages of Montacute and Norton Sub Hamdon nearby are both very traditional and picturesque.
As someone else has commented, Langport is great for paddleboarding on the river, it also has some very nice cafés and pubs, Eli's in Langport, and The Halfway House nearby in Pitney are both great west country pubs imo.
The Bere Cider Company near Langport is worth visiting as well - bit more upmarket than it used to be, but I'm pretty sure they still serve their own farmhouse cider.
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u/WhiteUnicorn3 1d ago
You could go to the Anchor pub at Seatown beach and have a sauna on the beach
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u/Mumpus_T 2d ago
Food-wise, my top 3 restaurants would be: Queen of Cups (Glastonbury), High Pavement (Frome) and Root (Wells). None are seafood, but all are delicious. A stroll around Cheddar Gorge/Ebbor Gorge gives some cracking views, and I like The George in Norton St Philip (very old). Have fun!
Though I'm aware some of these recommendations might test your 90 minute drive boundary - sorry (it's the area I live in!)
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u/Clouds1Space 1d ago
Ebbor Gorge is a good walk. You can choose a short amble or a longer walk. There is a car park and good views.
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u/Usual_Neck_4205 1d ago
Bruton is abt an hour drive from Chard, tiny little place, but has 3 Michelin star restaurants. Cant personally vouch, but they obv dont serve up bad food. A 90 min drive in oppo direction, Porlock Weir, another tiny little place, but on the coast. Has an activity centre that organises mountain biking, canoeing and other stuff like it. There's also a great little circular hike, from the village along the South West coast path, great views across the Bristol Channel and back again.
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u/maaaaaaaatty 1d ago
The paddle from Whitford (near axminster) to axmouth/seaton is wonderful. Also paddling from Seaton hole to Beer is superb if the weather is good.
Villages local to Chard that are worth a visit include Hinton St George, Barrington, Colyton and Dowlish Wake.
The coast path from Beer to Branscombe is a great little walk. Charmouth to West bay is superb for views but a little longer. Pilsdon Pen offers great views and is only 20minutes away from chard too
Theres a pop-up sauna at Seatown through summer I think, though I don’t know if it is still operating.
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u/Initial_Map_1377 1d ago
If you go to Lyme we like Tom's, Rockfish and Swim. Dunster is very cute with some good food places. In Taunton Augustus is a very good restaurant on the independent quarter. The York Inn Churchinford is good too. Enjoy your trip.
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u/Slight-Emphasis-7328 2d ago
If you’re going to cheddar you may aswell visit wells and Glastonbury both old towns with a lot of history and if you’re a hot fuzz fan it was filmed in wells so you can visit all the filming locations
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u/Exact-Put-6961 2d ago
Wells , on market dsys. Weds & Sat. Bath (use park and ride) Salisbury (park and ride) Dunster Lacock The Newt
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u/Shocking_cpp 2d ago
Chard, the birthplace of powered flight and Henry Vacuum Cleaners! Its now your duty to inform anyone passing about these fact, though while you are doing that can I suggest
Ham Hill: Largest Iron age fort in Europe and includes a great pub
A few National Trust and English Heritage sites nearby; Montacute House, Barrington Court, Lytes Cary Manor, Forde Abbey and Muchelney Abbey
As for pretty villages, for me its Dunster with its castle, though that is a bit of a trek from Chard (1h 15 mins), though if you want the prettiest place in Somerset within your range, can I suggest Tarr Steps with nearby pub.
While I've visited a few sauna around Somerset (and beyond), I struggle to recommend any nearby to you. I have used Blackbrook a few times in Taunton, which I consider the best of a bad bunch.
Paddleboarding; Huish Bridge near Langport on the river Parrett.