Somerset Attractions Near Wells
Manor Farm is located in the centre of the village of East Horrington, surrounded by the wonderful countryside of the Mendip Hills, designated an area of outstanding natural beauty - peaceful and relaxing, yet just 2 miles from the charming city of Wells, the smallest cathedral city of England.
The Mendip Hills are an ideal base for a romantic, family, walking or sight-seeing holiday or as a welcome escape from the pressures of hectic modern day living.
The house lies at the same height [525 feet] above sea level as the famous Glastonbury Tor, and superb walking countryside is literally on the doorstep.
Golf, fishing, shooting, riding and tennis are all available close by.
Wells is home to the famous Cathedral of St Andrew along with the Bishop's Palace, gardens and moat - and it is a charming little city full of character and history. Evensong
daily at 5.15pm [3.00pm Sunday]. See websites:
www.wellscathedral.org.uk | www.bishopspalacewells.co.uk | www.wells-uk.com
Construction of the Cathedral in the centre of Wells, began as far back as 1180! The West Front was added in 1220-1240 and surely looks at its majestic best when viewed from Cathedral Green just prior to sunset. Admission is free but donations are expected as you leave. Concerts and special festivals [for example May Day] are held during the summer on Cathedral Green and wonderful classical musical events year-round in the Cathedral itself.
The Bishop's Palace is a truly magnificent building set within fortified walls and a moat. The palace is surrounded by 14 acres of beautiful gardens and grounds but is only a few minutes walk from the Cathedral, historic market place and central shopping area.
The Palace dates from the early 13th century when Bishop Jocelin Trotman, the first Bishop to hold the title Bishop of Bath and Wells, received a crown licence to build a residence and deer park on land to the south of the Cathedral. Visitors entering through the central porch step back almost 800 years into Bishop Jocelin's vaulted Entrance Hall.
Open air markets in Wells take place every Wednesday and Saturday and there are often antique and collectors fairs in the adjacent Town Hall. Excellent local farmers' markets and French markets are also held and there is a special Christmas market leading up to the festive season. See website: www.somersetfarmersmarkets.co.uk
Vicars Close, just off Cathedral Green, Wells, dates from the early 15th century and is often said to be the best preserved medieval street in Europe. It has changed little over the centuries. The tall chimneys were added in 1465. Vicars Close was built to provide homes for the Cathedral's vicars and even today it is occupied by those working for the Bishop of Bath and Wells.
At the end furthest from the Cathedral is a small chapel. It is interesting to note that the width of Vicars Close narrows as it heads up to this chapel - from approximately 65 feet wide at the entrance to just 56 feet wide by the chapel. A stroll along the cobbled street of Vicars Close is a real delight.
Summer concerts are held in the grounds of Glastonbury Abbey - Jools Holland and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra are regular performers. See website: www.glastonburyabbey.com
The infamous annual Glastonbury Festival takes place at Worthy Farm, Pilton [5 miles from Manor Farm] at the end of June. in recent festivals the crowds were thrilled by, amongst others, The Verve, Leonard Cohen, The Feeling, KT Tunstall, Joan Baez, Amy Winehouse, Massive Attack, Goldfrapp, Fun Lovin' Criminals, Groove Armada, Kings of Leon, The Editors, Crowded House, Fat Boy Slim, The Fratellis, Seasick Steve, The Subways and James Blunt. Even the weather has been fantastic for the last couple of years!
During Glastonbury, special B&B rates apply at Manor Farm which include 24 hour bed and breakfast, 24 hour laundry service and 24 hour entry. Once you've been lucky enough to get tickets, don't delay booking your accommodation because rooms become fully booked very quickly.
The drive through Cheddar Gorge is quite spectacular! Visit the caves, buy the famous Cheddar cheese and cider and enjoy a traditional cream tea. See website: www.cheddarcaves.co.uk
Beyond Wells, there are numerous other attractions, all easily reached, and a selection is listed below:
- Wookey Hole Caves and Paper Mill
- Glastonbury, The Tor, Abbey and Chalice Well
- Cheddar Gorge and Caves
- East and West Somerset Steam Railways
- Longleat House and Safari Park
- Stourhead House and magnificent gardens
- The city of Bath, The Roman Baths, The Royal Crescent
- Clarks Discount Shopping Village, Street
- Helicopter Museum, Weston-super-Mare
- Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton
- Brean Leisure Park, Brean Sands
- Royal Bath and West Showground [hosts many shows throughout the year, the most famous being the Royal Show held at the end of May]
The rugged and beautiful coast of North Devon is around a 2 hour drive away via Exmoor.
Other driving times to popular places to visit include Bristol - 40 minutes; Stonehenge - 1 hour; Taunton - 1 hour [Somerset County Cricket Club ground]; Avebury - 1.5 hours.
Wookey Hole Caves, near Wells, are the legendary home of the wicked Witch of Wookey! This is one of the oldest UK tourist attractions, enchanting visitors since Roman times.
As well as enjoying a guided tour around the magnificent caves, lose yourself in the magical mirror maze, play genuine vintage games in the Penny Arcade or try your hand at paper-making in Britain's last hand-made paper mill.
Open all year round and now with a stunning new light and sound experience, Wookey Hole provides a great attraction for all of the family. Parking, picnic area, gift shop, restaurant and bar. See website: www.wookey.co.uk
The Helicopter Museum at Weston-super-Mare houses the world's largest chopper collection and is the town's award-winning, biggest all year under cover attraction displaying more than 70 aircraft from around the world. See website: www.helicoptermuseum.co.uk
The City of Bath is a beautiful city steeped in history with many landmarks to visit. See website: www.visitbath.co.uk
The Royal Crescent was designed by John Wood the Younger between 1767 and 1774 and is justly considered one of the finest achievements of urban 18th century architecture.
The Roman Baths is the best preserved Roman religious spa from the ancient world.
Thermae Bath Spa is Britain's only natural thermal waters, which visitors can enjoy as the Celts and Romans did over 2000 years ago!
Situated 200 yards from Bath Abbey, there is a stunning open-air rooftop pool, Minerva bath, aroma steam rooms, waterfall shower and a cafe and restaurant. For further details of the spa and of the treatments available, see website: www.thermaebathspa.com.
Longleat House and Safari Park was voted UK Family Attraction of the Year by the Good Britain Guide and offers a wonderland of attractions to suit all ages. Set in more than 900 acres of 'Capability' Brown landscaped parkland with a further 8,000 acres of woodlands, lakes and farmland, Longleat combines the magic of the old with the marvels of the new.
Don't forget to test your sense of direction in the maze! See website: www.longleat.co.uk
East and West Somerset Steam Railways offer a great day out for all of the family. You can travel by steam engine, and enjoy theme weekends. See websites: www.eastsomersetrailway.com and www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
The Clarks Village at Street is a popular factory shopping outlet providing a range of high quality goods, often at greatly discounted prices.
From shoes to clothes, tools to toys, china and glass to garden furniture, and with big names like Next, Monsoon, Jaeger, Le Creuset, Billabong, Black and Decker, Marks and Spencer, Crabtree and Evelyn, a morning or afternoon here is highly recommended.
There is a good choice of cafes and restaurants and a great children's play area at Clarks Village. See website: www.clarksvillage.co.uk
Stourhead House and Gardens was designed by Henry Hoare II and laid out between 1741 and 1780. Classical temples are set around the central lake at the end of a series of vistas, which change as you move around the paths and through the magnificent mature woodland with its extensive collection of exotic trees.
The mansion house, built in 1720, boasts an outstanding Regency library, extensive works of art and Chippendale furniture. King Alfred's Tower is an intriguing red-brick folly almost 50 metres high and gives breathtaking views over the estate. Stunning in all seasons. Summer picnics [fetes champetres] are held in July with fabulous entertainment and fireworks. Autumn colours at Stourhead are a feast for the eyes! See website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
The Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton is a place where 'Where Dreams Take Wing!' You really need a complete day to do this fantastic museum justice! Superb exhibits. Be transported by simulated helicopter to the working flight deck of the aircraft carrier HMS Arkroyal - a must for all! See website: www.fleetairarm.com
Brean Leisure Park is the South West's largest fun park, opposite Brean Sands. From roundabouts to roller coasters and a superb leisure pool with 4 water chutes and rapids. See website: www.brean.com