Somerset bucket list

Things to do

Somerset bucket list

Somerset is one of the most diverse regions, stretching from the green hills of Wells and Glastonbury to the rugged coastlines of Exmoor, there are so many places to see here. This is our guide to all the things in Somerset you have to see before you die.

The ultimate Somerset bucket list brings you our top picks of things you need to do in Somerset. You might not be able to squeeze them all into your holiday but we’re sure you’ll find at least one thing in this collection that opens your eyes to a new part of Somerset. Climb Glastonbury Tor, get underground at Cheddar Gorge and revel in the rich history of this area.

Use this helpful list to put together your Somerset holiday itinerary and start getting excited for your break. There’s nothing better to build your holiday excitement than a spot of planning.

Before you get started, browse our collection of holiday cottages in Somerset.

 Our ultimate bucket list guide to things to do in Somerset before you die:

1. Stand on top of Somerset at Glastonbury Tor

2. Wake up early for the starling murmurations on the Somerset Levels, a Site of Special Scientific Interest

3. Invest in international artwork from the Hauser and Wirth gallery

Browse the art on display in the gardens at the Hauser and Wirth gallery in Bruton.

4. Wiggle through the famous letterbox squeeze in Cheddar Gorge

5. Step into a scene from the Sound of Music in the wildflower-covered valleys

6. Find Lover’s Lane in Bruton and play a romantic game of pooh sticks on the bridge

7. Dance the night (and day) away at Glastonbury Festival

8. Sip a fresh Somerset cider

The cider brewing barrels on a tour of the Somerset Cider farm.

9. Go trainspotting

10. Look to the skies for the Bristol Balloon fiesta

11. Try actual Cheddar cheese

12. Take a hot air balloon ride over the Levels

13. Say a prayer in Wells Cathedral

14. Canoe through a bird reserve with the RSPB

15. Discover the secret snowdrop valley

16. Hunt fossils on Kilve Beach

Kilve Beach has lots of hidden fossils in the cliffs and the pebbles underfoot.

17. See hundreds of treetop nesting herons in Swell Woods

18. Enjoy the views from Cadbury Hill Fort

19. Get muddy at the Lowland Games

20. Visit the holy thorn tree that sprung from the staff of Joseph of Arimathea

21. Go caving in the Wookie Hole

22. Walk out to sea on Clevedon Pier (a Grade 1 listed pier)

23. Visit Fyne Court and discover the origins of one of the best horror stories, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

24. Visit the annual Jane Austen festival in Bath

Take part in the Jane Austen festival for literary fun in Bath.

25. Walk to the island at the end of Birnbeck pier, the only pier in the UK to connect island to mainland

26. Ramble across the Mendip Hills

27. Ride the East Somerset Railway

28. Stroll along the Royal Crescent in Bath

29. Walk in the footsteps of Samuel Taylor Coleridge along Coleridge Way

30. Sample a local ice cream in Burnham-On-Sea

Burnham On Sea is a lovely seaside resort for a day out on the Somerset coast.

31. Walk through 500 years of history at Montacute House

32. Snatch a glance at the shipwrecks on Berrow Beach at low tide

33. Catch a cricket match at the County Ground in Taunton

34. Go scrumping in a Somerset apple orchard

35. Embrace Somerset tradition with a midsummer maypole dance

36. See the intriguing roofless hill-top church in Uphill

37. Take part in the Exmoor Explorer

Discover a different way to see the Exmoor hills.

38. Try your hand at Morris dancing

39. Walk the Fosse way, one of four ancient Roman highways in the UK

40. Look out for the famous work of Banksy in Bristol

41. Go for a Sunday roast in one of our favourite pubs

The ultimate comfort food, start your holiday with a tasty Sunday roast at one of these brilliant pubs.

42. See one of Britain’s oldest skeletons, the Cheddar Man

43. Get inspiration for your next sandcastle from Weston-Super-Mare’s sand sculptures

44. Take a spring stroll through Hestercombe gardens

The formal gardens at Hestercombe are beautiful in the spring and summer.

45. Discover the history of Glastonbury Abbey, built in the 13th century

46. Listen to some local musicians at Burnham-On-Sea’s annual folk festival

47. Continue the folk theme at one of the most renowned festivals in the UK, Priddy folk festival

48. Visit Bath for a step back in time

Have a more cosmopolitan day out of shopping and relaxing in Bath.

49. Get stars in your eyes at the biggest illuminated carnival in the world: Bridgewater Carnival

50. Ride a donkey on the beach at Weston-Super-Mare

51. Visit the animals at the Somerset animal sanctuary

52. Go bargain-hunting at Somerset’s largest open-air and covered car boot sale in Cheddar

54. Build a den at Coleton Fishacre

Have a fun day with all the family building dens in the summer sunshine.

If you're inspired to start planning your next holiday in the South West.

More reading

Blood Moons and Dark Sky Tourism

Blood Moons and Dark Sky Tourism

When on holiday, consider a slightly different point of view. Grab a blanket, a bottle of wine and come and check out the latest in night-time activities.

Things to do 8 years ago Lizzie Heather
Off the beaten track: the best places for cycling in Somerset

Off the beaten track: the best places for cycling in Somerset

Get on your bike and start exploring with two wheels instead of two legs – the quickest way to see your favourite parts of Somerset.

Places to Go 5 years ago Kayleigh Hardy
Things to do in the Blackdown Hills

Things to do in the Blackdown Hills

If you love admiring and exploring the great outdoors, then this part of the world is the perfect place to soak up beautiful countryside and emerald woodland. The Blackdown Hills offers an extensive range of range of activities and things to do on a visit to the area.

Things to do 4 years ago Tasha H