Free things to do in Somerset
If you're planning an economical staycation that allows you to explore and get active, consider booking holiday cottages in Somerset. The county in south-west England is ideal for fans of the great outdoors, offering a wealth of opportunities to breathe in the fresh air while stretching your legs.
Walking and hiking enthusiasts will be in their element on a trip to Somerset, as the area boasts beautiful landscapes of rolling hills, ancient woods and wetlands, as well as a scenic coast that comprises seaside resorts, beaches and harbours.
The landscape is also ideal if you want to take your pet along on your holiday, and there are plenty of dog-friendly cottages in Somerset. Your canine companion is sure to have fun in the natural setting!
Excellent places for getting active while admiring the scenery include the Somerset Levels and Moors and Exmoor National Park. The former is a picturesque location popular with walkers, cyclists and birdwatchers. Pay a visit and you can make your way round, taking in wildlife like wading birds, dragonflies and otters.
Legend has it that this is where King Alfred the Great lived and where King Arthur rode with his knights.
There are three RSPB reserves in the area, one of which is Greylake nature reserve. Formerly farmland, the fields here are now used as a wetland area for birds, and you can take a guided walk to spot some of the residents.
Snipe, curlews, lapwings and redshanks are among the species that can be seen at the centre.
Meanwhile, the wetland of Ham Wall is another top spot in the Levels and Moors. Spanning more than 200 hectares, the site is made up largely of open water, reedbeds and wet scrub, making it an ideal habitat for water voles, otters and birds like bitterns, wigeons, gadwalls and shovelers.
Throughout the site you'll find viewing areas and informative display screens with sound boxes to tell you more about the environment and wildlife.
Exmoor National Park, meanwhile, offers stunning views of breathtaking coastline and cliffs, cascading waterfalls and deep valleys. Here you can admire the views as you walk, fish or ride horses. There's nature all around and you might spot some wild red deer or ponies. Don't forget to call in at the Exmoor Pony Centre to find out more about these lovely gentle animals for free.
If you've a tight budget to stick to, make the most of the free attractions in the area - one of which is Cheddar Gorge. This is Britain's biggest gorge and a national nature reserve, comprising ancient stalactite caverns and cliffs up to 450 ft tall.
There are numerous activities to take part in here, from a cliff-top gorge walk and climbing the 274 steps to the lookout tower to taking a tour of the Museum of Prehistory also based at the site.
To find out more about the area's heritage, why not call in at the Willows and Wetland Visitor Centre? Here you can see firsthand the process of willow-growing and basket-making, and tour the Museum of Baskets.
Another top free attraction is the Guildhall Heritage and Arts Centre in Dulverton, where you can admire a wealth of arts and crafts made by local artists and listen to samples of the Exmoor Oral History recordings. Using the Dulverton Camera Club's archive material you can watch old film clips, while the centre also houses the Exmoor Photographic Archive.
Whether you're hoping to explore the great outdoors or revisit the county's past, you'll find plenty of things to do in Somerset!
