A Guide to the County of Somerset, Naturally
Somerset is a large county in southwest England, home to England’s smallest city, beautiful villages and a stunning sandy coastline.
The Strawberry Line Path is a converted 10-mile railway track near Wells. It stretches from Yatton to Cheddar, with shorter sections like the 2 miles from Wells to Dulcote through ancient woodland, with spectacular views of the cathedral. All routes are wheelchair-friendly (save a steep lane at Axbridge).
If out walking, always follow the Countryside Code to keep all creatures safe. If at the coast, read about how to keep dogs safe by the seaside.
Wells (England’s smallest city)
Wells is a beautiful tiny city, though surprisingly it doesn’t have a train station (there used to be one, but no more). The closest station is Castle Cary (a small town 24 miles south of Bath, which lies between the Mendip Hills and Blackmore Vale).
The city is named after three wells (springs), located in the gardens Bishop’s Palace (home to bishops for over 800 years). The 14 acres of peaceful gardens surround Vicar’s Close (Europe’s oldest residential street, built in the 14th century).
Wells Cathedral was built between the 12th and 15th centuries, known for its unique scissor arches and over 300 carved statues on its West Front. The soaring ceilings and stained-glass windows fill the space with colour, and the Chapter House Stairs are known for their worn stone steps.
The Somerset Levels: Wetlands Rich with Wildlife
Along with the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads, the Somerset Levels are one of the most important wetland habtiats in England, shaped by rivers and peat to provide lowlands that are haven for local wildlife, thanks to reed beds and shallow lakes.
Here you’ll find bitterns, marsh harriers and thousands of winter starlings, who call this place home. Along with cranes (England’s tallest birds) who have returned after 400 years.
The Post Track (the world’s oldest wooden trackway used by Neolithic people to navigate reed swamps) is here. And it’s one of few places in England that raft spiders are found. These chocolate-brown spiders often sit near bogs and ponds, and ‘floats like a raft’ when catching prey.
If you’re visiting a local pub, be prepared for a game of skittles (the original version of ten-pin bowling!)
Cheddar Man (England’s oldest intact skeleton)
A Somerset landmark is Cheddar Gorge (nothing to do with cheese!) that sees a 450-foot cliff tower over a winding road, creating a dramatic gateway to the Mendip Hills. Formed by floods during the Ice Age, it’s home to around 100 endangered cave-dwelling Lesser Horseshoe bats.
This area is buzzing with life from soaring skylarks overhead to the quirky black oil beetle (its protruding tummy being described as looking like ‘someone whose waistcoat won’t button up!)
It was here that Cheddar Man was found. He turned out to be England’s oldest ‘whole person skeleton’ ever found. What’s interesting is that he had black skin and blue eyes (a bit like that actor off CSI). So it does indeed suggest that we have African ancestry.
Two other local boys with blue eyes (with blonde hair) from the village of Cheddar were Matt & Luke Goss (from 90s pop band Bros).
Weston-Super-Mare (a classic seaside resort)
Known for a wide sandy beach, this is a popular place that lets you see all the way to Wales, on a clear day. Names after Old English for ‘west settlement’ (super-mare is Latin for ‘above the sea’).
Weston Super Mare has the second-highest tidal range in the world, so follow signs to avoid high tides and quicksand. Marine Lake is a manmade body of water that offers a safe swimming area, when the tide is out, though dogs are not allowed.
Jill Dando was raised here, and there is a memorial garden in her name, after her tragic murder. ‘Jill’s Garden’ took 3 days of work by the BBC Ground Force team, and contains her favourite flowers (roses, lavender and trees) plus a foaming fountain, a disabled ramp and a sensory garden.
Founded in her memory, The Good News Post is an online digital newspaper, packed with good stories. It’s powered by an ‘expanding army’ of young journalists age 7 to 18. Her journalist brother also helps out.
Glastonbury (not just a music festival)
Glastonbury is held near the village of Pilton, whose population swells from 1000 to 200,000 each summer. The locals don’t mind that much, as the festival-goers are a pretty peaceful lot, and bring in income for the pubs!
The festival does generate huge amounts of litter. But volunteer litter pickers get their own campsite, with flushing toilets and meal vouchers, going into action when the festival ends.
Leaving the place pristine within a few days. Unusual items found include:
- A grandfather clock
- A bra with poo in it
- A wig that someone had vomited in
- People sleeping under piles of clothes!
