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Somerset Delights: Exploring the Charms of England’s Verdant Gem

Somerset is a county steeped in history, natural beauty, and quaint rural charm. With its rolling hills, picturesque villages, and a coastline that stretches for miles, Somerset offers a diverse range of experiences for travelers and locals alike. In this blog post, we’ll take you on a virtual journey through some of the most enchanting aspects of this delightful county.

Historic Landmarks

Somerset is a treasure trove of historical landmarks, each with its own unique story to tell. The city of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for its elegant Georgian architecture and the Roman Baths. Glastonbury Abbey, steeped in Arthurian legend, and Wells Cathedral, with its awe-inspiring architecture, are must-visit destinations that transport you back in time.

Natural Wonders

The countryside of Somerset is a patchwork of lush meadows, orchards, and charming villages. The Quantock Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offers stunning vistas and miles of walking trails. For a taste of the wild, Exmoor National Park beckons with its rugged moorland and dramatic coastline, providing ample opportunities for hiking, wildlife spotting, and stargazing.

Picturesque Villages

Exploring Somerset’s villages feels like stepping into a storybook. From the thatched cottages of Selworthy to the cobbled streets …

Cheddar Gorge: A Natural Wonder in the Heart of Somerset

Nestled in the heart of Somerset, Cheddar Gorge stands as a testament to the awe-inspiring power of nature. Carved over millennia by the relentless force of water, this dramatic limestone gorge is a geological wonder that offers visitors a breathtaking journey through time.

A Geological Marvel

Cheddar Gorge is a sight to behold, with towering limestone cliffs that rise dramatically from the valley floor. As you walk along the gorge, you’ll be struck by the sheer scale and intricate formations that have been sculpted by water and time. It’s a living testament to the Earth’s ancient history, and a reminder of the remarkable processes that have shaped our planet.

The Cheddar Man Connection

One of the most fascinating aspects of Cheddar Gorge is its connection to prehistory. In 1903, the remains of a human known as Cheddar Man were discovered in the caves within the gorge. Carbon dating revealed that Cheddar Man lived around 10,000 years ago, making him one of the oldest complete human skeletons found in Britain. His story provides a glimpse into the lives of our ancient ancestors and their connection to this remarkable landscape.

Cave Exploration: Gough’s Cave

Venture into the depths of Cheddar Gorge by …

Wells, Somerset: Where History Meets Timeless Beauty

Nestled in the heart of Somerset lies the enchanting town of Wells, a place where history breathes through cobbled streets and architectural wonders. With its stunning cathedral, medieval architecture, and serene gardens, Wells is a hidden gem that promises a journey through time.

The Jewel of the Mendips: Wells Cathedral

At the heart of this town stands the magnificent Wells Cathedral, an architectural masterpiece that dates back to the 12th century. Its awe-inspiring facade, adorned with intricate carvings and majestic towers, is a testament to the skill and artistry of medieval craftsmen. Step inside and be transported to a sacred space where the light filters through centuries-old stained glass, illuminating the hallowed aisles. For those looking to borrow money, WageDayAdvance.co.uk offers short term loans for any purpose.

Bishop’s Palace and Gardens: A Tranquil Retreat

Adjacent to the cathedral lies the Bishop’s Palace, surrounded by tranquil gardens and bordered by the moat that once protected it. The well-tended gardens, home to swans and other wildlife, provide a peaceful oasis for visitors. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the stunning swan parade, a tradition that has endured for over 150 years.

Vicar’s Close: The Oldest Residential Street in Europe

A short stroll …

Glastonbury Tor: A Beacon of Mystery and Legend in Somerset

Nestled in the heart of Somerset’s picturesque countryside, the Glastonbury Tor stands as a beacon of history, spirituality, and natural beauty. This ancient hill rises dramatically from the flatlands, offering sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. It’s a place steeped in legend, where history and mythology intertwine to create a truly enchanting destination.

A Tapestry of Legends

Glastonbury Tor is no stranger to myth and legend. Some believe it to be the mythical Avalon of Arthurian legend, a place where the wounded King Arthur was taken after the Battle of Camlann. Others associate it with the fabled Isle of Glass, a realm of enchantment and magic.

The Mystical St. Michael’s Tower

At its summit stands the enigmatic St. Michael’s Tower, a medieval structure that has weathered the centuries. This lone remnant of what was once a larger church adds an air of mystery to the site. Many visitors climb the Tor to reach the tower, captivated by the sense of connection with centuries past.

A Spiritual Pilgrimage

For centuries, Glastonbury Tor has drawn pilgrims and spiritual seekers from around the world. Its confluence of ley lines, believed to be channels of spiritual energy, has earned it a reputation as one …

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Recycling and rubbish collection days are changing for some households in Mendip and South Somerset. Read about the changes and how they may affect you.

Active travel

Our vision for healthy and active communities, with a good-quality cycling and walking experience for all

Introduction

In Somerset, we have ambitious aspirations for active travel improvements. Our vision is to see healthy and active communities, with a good-quality cycling and walking experience for all users. We want Somerset to be a County where everyone feels welcome and comfortable, whichever mode of transport they use. We understand the positive links between active travel, our physical and mental health, the environment, air quality and climate change.

However, in recent times we haven’t had the funding available to allow us to deliver our aspiration and active travel hasn’t had the priority it deserves. With central government’s current new emphasis on sustainable and active travel we are now taking this opportunity to bid for funds and invest in active travel across Somerset. In order to get this investment right it’s important we continue developing relationships with our stakeholders and communities and deliver and promote active travel together.

What we are doing

Local walking and cycling infrastructure plans.

Local Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plans are focused 10-year plans for developing a cycling and walking network within a local area. We have currently developed three plans: one each for Bridgwater, Taunton and Yeovil and more are being planned. You can find more information on our  Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan page .

Somerset Active Travel

Somerset is a great place to live, work and visit. We aim to make it easier for people to travel more sustainably in Somerset.

Have your say on on active travel projects in Somerset, visit Somerset Active Travel website.

Last reviewed: March 14, 2024 by Qi

Next review due: September 14, 2024

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Somerset’s growing cycle network bears fruit: a ride on the Strawberry Line

Mostly traffic-free and flat, this route between Yatton and Cheddar takes in old stations and views across the Levels to the Bristol Channel – and it’s being extended to form part of the 76-mile Somerset Circle

I t’s a noise the former railway tunnel probably hadn’t heard in a while. Somewhere in the dark is a hooting part-owl, part-forlorn steam train. My sister Ele has stopped on her bike to blow determinedly across her cupped hands like a flute. As she recreates this long-gone sound, I pedal on through the cool, damp air. Water drips steadily from the stalactite-coated brickwork as my front light illuminates pedestrians and their dogs looming from the echoing shadows.

We are cycling the Strawberry Line , a 10.75-mile, mostly off-road cycling and walking route from Yatton to Cheddar in north Somerset, on a sunny spring morning. White blackthorn flowers blossom in the hedges, and puddles splatter us with brick-coloured mud. I always love the thought that this rich red soil was formed when Britain basked close to the equator, before migrating north, along with Europe and North America.

The Strawberry Line was named after the fruit the former railway carried from this fertile red soil to London. It also forms part of National Cycle Network (NCN) route 26. The train line was decommissioned in the 1960s under Beeching’s axe . It was a blow for local transport, but it brought us many of today’s best-loved NCN routes. Complete with cuttings and tunnels, the Strawberry Line makes for a flat and direct, almost entirely traffic-free, ride.

Between Beeching’s axe and the founding of the NCN in the 1980s, some railway land was commandeered for other purposes, which means there are some on-road stretches and awkward road crossings on today’s cycling and walking routes. These are slowly being upgraded by Sustrans – the charitable custodian of the network – along with volunteers, the council and a pot pourri of others. The Department for Transport may fund improvements for an awkward main road crossing near Axbridge in 2025.

It is the dream of two NCN founders, John Grimshaw and Caroline Levett – along with their current organisation, Greenways and Cycleroutes – to insert the Strawberry Line into a 76-mile route circumnavigating the county, taking in the famous Bristol and Bath Railway Path , Two Tunnels Greenway and the River Avon Trail . The Somerset Circle is already two-thirds complete, with new segments recently opened around Shepton Mallet, and a new link connecting Westbury-sub-Mendip and Easton. I helped rebuild a couple of walls near Shepton as a volunteer during two of Greenways’ annual work camps . There are also spurs under construction to towns and cities along the way.

Before setting off from Yatton station, we discover a puncture in Ele’s rear tyre. Strawberry Line Cycle Project , which hires out bikes for all abilities from the station car park, lets us use its track pump after we replaced a failed patch on the inner tube.

From there, we cycle beneath an archway topped with a huge steel artwork depicting a steam engine plus walkers, cyclists and wildlife. A gritted track leads us to a narrower, mud-red path, past benches and information boards. The raised railway bed affords us glorious views across fields punctuated by rhynes – drainage ditches that help maintain low-lying pastureland – and of the spire of St Andrew’s church at Congresbury. We cycle through former stations at Congresbury and Winscombe, complete with platforms, and Sandford, where there’s a railway heritage centre .

The latest off-road section, completed in November, was purpose-built by National Grid beside a new electricity substation serving Hinkley Point. Crowds of newly planted saplings and tree whips, protected by plastic tubing, are arrayed beyond high fences. Already a steady stream of walkers and cyclists are enjoying the spring sunshine and the peaceful, traffic-free path. At one end, the substation hums gently.

The path climbs gently before Axbridge for impressive views across the Somerset Levels towards Brent Knoll and Glastonbury Tor. We eat toasted sandwiches at a cafe that doubles as an antiques and clothing shop. It’s one of at least four eateries and pubs with outdoor seating overlooking Axbridge’s handsome medieval town square and the impressive jettied 15th-century building housing King John’s Hunting Lodge museum .

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Cheddar Reservoir is vast and glittering in the early afternoon sun, set in a glowing green landscape, and Ele exclaims: “It feels like we’re on holiday.” The route wiggles between galvanised fencing behind a builders’ merchant and returns to the road in an industrial estate on the outskirts of Cheddar. One day, hopefully, dedicated cycling provision will extend into the town. This is where we turn around. While Strawberry Line volunteers have lovingly developed and maintained this route since the 1980s, a plaque says this section was built after a cycling schoolboy was killed by a driver in 1990 and his school campaigned for a safe cycle route. It’s a reminder that cycling and walking paths are more than simply leisure routes: they are essential transport infrastructure.

A future spur, the Pier to Pier Way , linking Clevedon’s Grade I-listed pier and Weston-super-Mare’s Grand Pier, is under construction. A key link over the Congresbury Yeo and Oldbridge rivers, the Tutshill Greenway, will open this spring. This and Clevedon sea defences paths offer year-round birdwatching spots, with redshanks overwintering at Tutshill and other rare birds passing through. Sadly, a vigorous campaign put paid to a separate two-way cycle route in Clevedon, claiming it would harm businesses and local drivers’ ability to park on the seafront.

North Somerset Council estimates the Pier to Pier will nonetheless generate 55,000 annual cycling and walking tourism and leisure-related journeys, with 15-20% of these between November and February, extending the tourism season and encouraging cycling visitors to spend more time in North Somerset. This will link with the Brean Down Way with its existing 100,000 annual users, looping south of Weston, via Brean Cross Sluices, back up to the National Trust headlands of Brean Down, via the natural pier at Sand Point. At the end, there’s an expansive view of the Bristol Channel, and a Victorian fort.

Thrillingly, for cycle commuting hopefuls and adventurers alike, these routes will also form the North Somerset Coastal Towns Cycle Route, running through urban centres all the way back to Bristol. The Owl in the Oak cafe and venue at Kingston Seymour, opened to serve the Weston-super-Mare to Clevedon cycle path, is hailed as evidence of the value of these extra visitors, and of potential future routes. With motor transport in North Somerset generating 43% of the area’s carbon emissions, these routes are also climate interventions.

The Strawberry Line is already a cycling and walking delight, with young bikepackers joining riders in their 50s (we greet the same couple three or four times on our day out) and countless dog walkers. Not only will the Somerset Circle provide a tourism boost for this beautiful rural county, but it will help people of all ages get about on foot and on wheels, under their own steam. With or without the sound effects.

This article was amended on 10 May 2024 to remove a reference to the Strawberry Line having been on “the Somerset and Dorset line”. It was a Great Western Railway branch line.

Laura Laker’s book, Potholes and Pavements: A Bumpy Ride on Britain’s National Cycle Network, is published by Bloomsbury (£16.99). To support the Guardian and Observer, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com . Delivery charges may apply

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LIVE: Axminster commercial unit fire sparks road closure

The blaze broke out at earlier this afternoon (May 14) in a commercial kitchen storage unit

• Updated 10:53, 15 MAY 2024

Fire crews are battling a fire which broke out at a commercial storage unit in Axminster. Lyme Street has been closed in the eastbound direction while firefighters remain at the scene of the blaze.

Five Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service engines rushed to the fire at a commercial kitchen storage unit. A spokesperson for the fire service said the blaze has since been put out but firefighters are still in the area, damping down the scene.

A photo taken at the scene shows thick, dark smoke coming from a building in the road. One eyewitness said: "Appeared to be behind the Chinese restaurant on the corner of Lyme Road and South Street."

This is a live blog. Scroll below for more updates.

Firefighters dampening hot spots

A spokesperson from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue service said firefighters remained at the scene intil 8.40pm. They said:

A crew was on scene dampening down any last remaining hot spots until 8.40pm last night and the incident has now been closed.

Lyme Road remains closed this morning

Inrix reports that the B3261 is still closed eastbound this morning after yesterday's fire. It said:

B3261 LYME ROAD - AXMINSTER - EASTBOUND - DEVON Lyme Road Eastbound closed due to building fire at a storage unit from George Street to The Red Lion Pub.

Homes evacuated in Axminster as blaze destroys storage unit

Read the full story and see the pictures here.

Buildings evacuated amid kitchen unit fire

Lyme Road remains closed

Lyme Road Eastbound closed due to building fire at a storage unit from George Street to The Red Lion Pub. Traffic is coping well. The fire has been put out but fire services remain on scene dampening the hot spots.

Fire services remain in the area

Full fire service statement.

A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said:

Earlier today, we responded to an incident on the junction of Lyme Street and South Street in Axminster, where a commercial kitchen storage unit was alight. Five appliances were dispatched to manage the fire, which has now been extinguished. We remain on site damping down the scene.The fire was contained with no impact on neighbouring properties or individuals.

'Avoid the area'

Firefighters remain in Lyme Street

Crews remain in Lyme Street, damping down the scene following the earlier fire.

Five fire engines rush to scene

According to the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, five fire engines were at the scene of the blaze in Axminster.

Road closed amid building fire

Traffic monitor Inrix reports: "Lyme Road Eastbound closed due to building fire at a storage unit from George Street to The Red Lion Pub. Traffic is coping well."

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