Hotels in Somerset

Somerset’s emerald fields and wild meadows are prettiest in the spring. Summers are mild and lively, though more crowded; autumn and winter are perfect excuses for laden tables, roaring fires and long soaks in enormous tubs.

Somerset has made a name for itself with innovative restaurants and award-winning eateries. Try The Grange, a renowned cookery school and restaurant, for log-fired pizzas and imaginative fusion delights. A stone’s throw from the Roman Baths, Acorn Vegetarian Kitchen rustles up fresh-from-the-market fare good enough to tempt any die-hard carnivore.

Descend into the Cheddar Gorge and its intriguing caves to examine prehistoric remains, glistening underground rivers and magnificent stalactites.

Somerset’s low-key scene, unsurprisingly, is more about inviting pubs than late-night raves. Bath’s clutch of cocktail joints and laid-back wine bars are a joy to explore. In the summer Glastonbury Festival brings a heady dose of late-night antics and hedonistic spirit to the county; stay clear if your partying days are far behind.

Bath plays host to elegant boutique hotels alongside Roman ruins, on-trend coffee shops and top-notch restaurants. Frome’s markets are well stocked with artisanal knick-knacks and home-baked cakes: a good spot for a stroll before retiring to the luxurious comfort of a zhuzhed-up country house.

Domestic and European flights land at nearby Bristol airport. Bath and Taunton are well served by train services to London and other national hubs.