Your favourite rural Somerset spots
We spoke to locals and lovers of Somerset to ask them where their favourite place to enjoy the countryside is in our brilliant county. Some may surprise you, as Nathalie Gannon reports.
Ninesprings Country Park Ninesprings is the largest country park in South Somerset with an impressive 20 acres under its belt.
Throughout its impressive acreage, there are plenty of attractions and features of beauty including natural trails, waterfalls, rope swings, wildlife such as swans and ducks, park play areas and even a small cafe selling homemade cakes and snacks.
The entire park offers something new around every twist and turn such as eight sculptures depicting Maori Gods created by New Zealand artist Selwyn Price.
Mendip Hills
The Mendip Hills are a range of Limestone hills that overlook the stunning Somerset levels and the Chew Valley.
The higher, western part of the hills is noted as an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.’
Deemed as a great place to go for long rambles or walks, the 76 sq miles of rolling fields and striking foliage set the scene for endless adventures.
Porlock Weir
Porlock Weir is a small settlement set around a harbour at one end of Porlock Bay.
Chocolate box cottages line the seashore and bring a depth of history to the weir. Cottages such as the ‘Gibraltar cottages’ date from the 17th century and are Grade II listed buildings.
Here you will also find a homebased flotilla of yachts and port that dates back as far as 1,000 years ago.
This is a good spot for walking with the South West coast path and other trails that link through Porlock to Ridge, Saltmarsh and Culbone.
Quantocks
The Quantock hills offer areas of panoramic beauty and viewpoints that lead through, coast, heath and combe.
Here there is a plethora of terrain to explore including; Jurassic coastline, exposed heathland summits, wooded areas, farmland and quaint little villages.
The Quantocks also carry the title of ‘Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ displaying both historical and cultural elements, scenic beauty and a diverse range of wildlife.
Tarr Steps
Tarr Steps is of a clapper bridge construction and is medieval in origin.
The stone slabs that compose the bridge weigh up to an impressive two tonnes each.
It is a Grade I listed building and also noted as a scheduled ancient monument.
The Tarr steps Woodland National Nature Reserve covers 33 hectares of the River Barle Valley.
This area in particular is internationally significant due to the presence of various types of mosses and lichens that flourish there.
Winding footpaths run along the valley, providing a popular circular walk for visitors.
Valley Of The Rocks
Valley Of The Rocks near Lynmouth has been recognised as one of the most spectacular scenic locations in Exmoor.
It is noted for herds of feral goats and an abundance of fossils as the land features some of the oldest rocks in Somerset/ North Devon.
Poets Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth were inspired by visits in the late 1700s.