Lanes is the ideal place from which to explore the West Country – not only is there Somerset (which means ‘land of the Summer people’), but both Devon and Dorset are on the doorstep, giving you a choice of three of England’s finest counties.
It’s not all cider and cream teas (although they’re pretty good!) the area is famous for its beautiful countryside, dramatic coastal walks, vibrant arts scene and historic towns and villages.
While you are here, there is so much to see and do with great places to visit ranging from medieval castles to elegant manor houses, from stunning country and coastal walks to traditional willow and cider production, from Somerset arts and crafts to serious retail therapy at the Mulberry Factory shop, Clarks Village or Bath. For the boys, there is Haynes Motor Museum, (the largest motor museum in Europe) and the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton.
Within half an hour’s drive:
Houses & Gardens
- Several National Trust properties including our favourites: Montacute House, Barrington Court, Lytes Cary Manor, and Forde Abbey & Gardens
- Sherborne Abbey & Castle
- Muchelney Abbey (English Heritage)
Shopping & Historic Towns
- Wells – the UK’s smallest city with its magnificent Cathedral and also the location for the film Hot Fuzz starring Simon Pegg.
- Mulberry Factory Shop, Shepton Mallet
- Sherborne
Local Arts & Crafts
- Somerton Arts Centre – home to the Somerset Guild of Craftsmen
- The Somerset Levels – willow and basket making
Museums
- Tank Museum
- Yeovilton Fleet Air Arm Museum
- Haynes Motor Museum
Walking & the Outdoors
- Ham Hill Country Park – this Iron Age hill settlement and Country Park covering 900 acres is also the source for the mellow hamstone of which the local houses are built. Take a picnic and enjoy the beautiful panoramic views across South Somerset.
- The Jurassic Coast – world Heritage site (from Lyme Regis to Abbotsbury)
- The Parrett Trial – hire a bicycle and cycle along part of the 50 mile path through the Somerset Levels
- Cider Farms at Burrow Hill and Dowlish Wake (Perry’s Cider)
- Glastonbury Tor
- Tropical Gardens at Abbotsbury
- Cricket St Thomas
- Monkey World
Within an hour’s drive:
Houses & Gardens
- Numerous National Trust properties including beautiful Stourhead and Dunster Castle
- Longleat
Shopping & Historic Towns
- Bath – the Roman city of Bath, also a World Heritage site, is fantastic for visiting and also for shopping!
- Exeter
Walking & the Outdoors
- Stonehenge – a World Heritage site
- Wookey Hole and Cheddar Caves
- Exmoor National Park
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