Our
Favourites
The nearby Neroche woods have undergone a major
improvement scheme which now offers walking along
man made tracks in the woods for many miles as well
as wonderful 'off piste' walks! There are four areas
of car parking to walk from, and all are within
minutes drive of Culmhead. The nearby pub at Staple
Fitzpaine, The Greyhound makes an ideal watering
hole afterwards.
Wellington monument is some four miles along our
road, with off road parking, a short walk to the
monument and the magnificent views seen from it. The
Half Moon Inn and Wallaces farm shop offer excellent
refreshment be it Sunday lunch or afternoon tea.
Forty minutes by car our two favourite haunts have
to be Lyme Regis, and the Beer to Branscombe cliff
walk.
Lyme Regis
We all know the harbour from the film The French
Lieutenants Woman, and today benefits from recent
improvements to the beach, harbour and gardens,
making it a great day out for all the family.
Beer to Branscombe.
Parking your car at Beer Head, which in itself has
spectacular views down the coast line to Seaton, is
a good start for this 30 to 40 minute walk. The path
is clearly marked, with a choice of beach or cliff
walk towards the end.
Look out for The MASONS ARMS in Branscombe village.
The Black Down Hills
The Black Down Hills are located to the South of
Taunton and Wellington, giving wonderful views
across the Vale of Taunton. These views can be
enjoyed from the Wellington Monument, a 175 foot
high National Trust landmark. The area is
characterised by long straight roads, often lined
with avenues of immense beech trees. There are a
number of hidden valleys. We are only 35 minutes
from the coast.
Please visit
www.blackdown-hills.net
The Brendon Hills
Located to the West of Taunton Deane around the town
of Wiveliscombe, these 1200 feet high hills are the
perfect place to explore at slow pace, with narrow
country lanes and footpaths offering enticing
glimpses of steep woodland and pasture. The gateway
to Exmoor National Park, these hills are a prime
example of unspoilt English countryside, offering
extensive views across the sea to Wales.
The Quantock Hills
The Quantock Hills rise to the North of Taunton and
stretch northwards to the coast. An Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Quantocks are
renowned for their varied wildlife and fauna. The
few roads provide access by car to the top, where
miles of footpaths and bridleways make it perfect
for walking, riding or mountain biking.
The Somerset Levels
The Somerset Levels are a land steeped in history,
mystery and legends, dominated by Burrow Mump - a
natural hill topped by a ruined uncompleted church.
Find the Isle of Athelney where King Alfred was
alleged to have burnt the cakes, as well as the
timber track ways dating back to c4000 BC. The
Levels are one of the most important inland wetland
areas in England, playing host to a number of
colonies of wading birds and wildfowl - particularly
in winter.
Walking
Enjoy a gentle stroll or a longer, more energetic
walk throughout the Taunton Deane area. There are a
number of designated walking trails offering you the
chance to explore the delights of the rural
countryside and the areas of history.
Cycling
Following one of the designated cycle routes in
Taunton Deane, perhaps a bike ride may be more to
your liking. There are suitable routes for everyone
- from the keenest cyclist who needs the demands
posed by the Quantock or Black Down Hills, to the
leisurely cyclist who can enjoy the countryside of
the Somerset Levels.
Fishing
There is an array of quality fishing here, whether
it be coarse fishing in rivers, ponds and the banks
of the canal, or fly fishing from
superbly-conditioned trout lakes, rivers and
reservoirs. The River Tone provides good sport, with
most species of coarse fish, whilst the canal is
popular with Tench and Carp.
Riding
With an extensive network of bridle paths taking you
through some of the most breathtaking countryside,
you can hack for miles in the surrounding
countryside. Enjoy a wide expanse of the Somerset
Levels and Moors, or the more demanding terrain of
the Quantock Hills. Taunton Deane has a good
reputation for riding stables, offering lessons and
livery.
Somerset County
Cricket Club
Somerset County Cricket club based in Taunton only 6
miles from Culmhead House.
http://www.somersetcountycc.co.uk
Activity Breaks
If you are looking to be inspired, why not join one
of the many activity breaks? Capture your stay in
words or paint, or alternatively learn a traditional
craft such as willow weaving or hedge laying. |
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Places to Eat |
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The Half Moon
Clayhidon
01884 277288
http://www.halfmoondevon.co.uk/ |
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Lamb and Flag
Blagdon Hill
01823 421736
http://www.lambandflag.co.uk/ |
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The Merry Harriers
Clayhidon
01823 421270
http://www.merryharriers.co.uk/ |
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The Holman Clavel
Culmhead
01823 421432 |
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The Blagdon Inn
Blagdon Hill
01823 421296 |
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The Greyhound
Staple Fitzpaine
01823 480227 |
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The York Inn
Churchinford
01823 601333 |
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The White Lion
Trull
01823 421296 |
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Castles, Cathedrals and Great Houses |
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Dunster Castle
Dunster, near Minehead
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
www.dunster-exmoor.co.uk |
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Hemyock
Castle
Nearby on the Blackdown Hills
www.hemyockcastle.co.uk
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Wells
Cathedral and the Bishop's Palace
Wells
www.wells-uk.com
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Montacute
House
Montacute, near Yeovil
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
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Knightshayes
Court
Knightshayes, near Tiverton
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
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Muchelney
Abbey
Near Langport on the Somerset Levels
www.english-heritage.org.uk
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Wildlife |
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Exmoor Falconry
Allerford, near Porlock
www.exmoorfalconry.co.uk |
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Discovery
Safaris
Porlock
www.discoverysafaris.com
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Tropiquaria
Animals & Adventure
Watchet, near Minehead
www.tropiquaria.co.uk
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Cricket St.
Thomas Wildlife Park
Just off the A30 near Chard
www.cstwp.co.uk
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Landscape and History |
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The
Blackdown Hills and Castle Neroche
www.blackdown-hills.net
www.nerochescheme.org |
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Glastonbury
Tor and Abbey
Glastonbury
www.glastonbury.co.uk
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Wookey Hole
Caves
Wookey Hole, near Wells
www.wookey.co.uk
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Peat Moors
Visitor Centre
Located near Glastonbury
www.somerset.gov.uk
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Museums |
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Sheppy's Cider Museum
On the A38 between Taunton & Wellington
www.sheppyscider.com |
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Fleet Air Arm
Museum
Ilchester, near Yeovil
www.fleetairarm.com
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Haynes Motor
Museum
Yeovil
www.haynesmotormuseum.co.uk
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Dinosaurland
Fossil Museum
Lyme Regis
www.dinosaurland.co.uk
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Arts and Crafts |
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John
Leach - Muchelney Pottery
Near Langport
www.johnleachpottery.com |
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Coates
Willows & Wetlands Visitor Centre
Located near Taunton
www.englishwillowbaskets.co.uk
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Gardens |
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Hestercombe Gardens
Just north of Taunton
www.hestercombe.com |
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Bicton Park Botanical Gardens
Located near Sidmouth
www.bictongardens.co.uk |
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East Lambrook
Manor Gardens
Located near South Petherton
www.eastlambrook.com
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Lower
Severalls Garden & Nursery
Located near Crewkerne
www.lowerseveralls.co.uk
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Steam Railways |
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West
Somerset Railway
Minehead
www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk |
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Devon Railway
Centre
Near Tiverton
www.devonrailwaycentre.co.uk
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