Things to Do near Yeovil & South Somerset | Lanes Hotel
Explore things to do near Lanes Hotel, including Montacute House, Ham Hill, Haynes Motor Museum, Fleet Air Arm Museum, Somerset cider country, Sherborne and the Jurassic Coast.
Explore Somerset from Lanes
Lanes Hotel in West Coker makes a convenient base for exploring South Somerset, West Dorset and the Jurassic Coast. Historic houses, country walks, museums, market towns and cider producers are all within reach, whether you have a few hours free or are planning a full day out.
Our reception team will be happy to help with directions and local suggestions. Opening times and admission arrangements can change, so please check directly with each attraction before travelling
Museums
Haynes Motor Museum
At Sparkford, Haynes Motor Museum houses more than 300 cars and motorcycles spanning over a century of motoring. Its displays range from early vehicles and British classics to sports cars, supercars and Formula 1 machinery.
Fleet Air Arm Museum
Located at RNAS Yeovilton, the Fleet Air Arm Museum tells the story of British naval aviation through more than 90 aircraft. Highlights include Concorde 002, historic helicopters and the immersive Aircraft Carrier Experience.
National Trust places nearby
Several National Trust properties are within easy reach of Lanes. Montacute House is the closest and is known for its Elizabethan hamstone architecture, formal garden and parkland.
Other nearby places include Barrington Court, Lytes Cary Manor and Tintinhull Garden, each offering a different combination of historic buildings, gardens and countryside.
Access to houses and gardens can vary during conservation work and at different times of year, so please check current opening arrangements before setting out.
Country Park
Ham Hill
Ham Hill combines open countryside, woodland walks, wildlife, geology and wide views across South Somerset. The remains of its Iron Age hillfort and later quarrying history give the landscape a character of its own.
A new visitor centre opened in 2026, providing a useful starting point for learning about the hill’s history and natural environment. Ham Hill is also a good choice for a shorter walk close to the hotel.
Visit Somerset’s cider makers
Our closest cider maker is Bridge Farm in neighbouring East Chinnock, around a mile and a half from Lanes. Its award-winning cider and apple juice are made using apples from its own orchards and other traditional orchards nearby, pressed using traditional rack-and-cloth methods. Contact the farm before visiting to confirm when it is open.
Harry’s Cider at Long Sutton offers orchard tours, tastings, a farm shop and taproom. Harry’s is also the Somerset cider served in our bar at Lanes.
Further afield, Perry’s at Dowlish Wake has a farm shop and café, while Burrow Hill is home to traditional cider, the Somerset Cider Brandy Company, orchard walks and guided tastings.
Tours and opening days vary, so check directly and book ahead where required.
Spend a day in Sherborne
The historic Dorset town of Sherborne is a short drive from Lanes. Its honey coloured centre is home to Sherborne Abbey, two castles, independent shops, cafés, markets and cultural events.
It works equally well for a few hours of shopping and lunch or a fuller day visiting the abbey, castle and gardens
A day on the Jurassic Coast
The Dorset and East Devon coast makes a rewarding day trip from Lanes. Lyme Regis is known for the Cobb, beaches and fossil heritage, while West Bay offers harbour views and walks beneath its distinctive golden cliffs.
The wider Jurassic Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with coastal paths, beaches and geological landmarks stretching across Dorset and into East Devon.
Cliffs and tides can create changing conditions, so check local information before walking or fossil hunting
Make Lanes your base
Lanes is well placed for exploring South Somerset, West Dorset and the Jurassic Coast. The hotel also makes a comfortable overnight stop for guests breaking a longer journey to or from Devon and Cornwall.
After a day exploring or a long drive, return to West Coker for dinner at Lanes Brasserie, a drink in the bar and a comfortable night at the hotel.
Book directly for our lowest room rates, free parking and personal help from our reception team.
Haynes Motor Museum
The Haynes International Motor Museum is the UK's largest collection of the greatest cars from around the world with over 400 amazing cars and bikes from the dawn of motoring in the late 1800s through nostalgic classics of the 1950s and 1960s, glorious Bentleys and Rolls Royces to world renowned super cars like the Jaguar XJ220.
Visit Website
Fleet Air Arm Museum
The history of the Royal Navy is preserved for the benefit of today's and future generations by the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) which includes four museums of the Royal Navy (NMRN Portsmouth & HMS Victory, Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Fleet Air Arm Museum and the Royal Marines Museum). Together they tell the story of the Royal Navy - On the Sea, Under the Sea, In the Air and On the Land.
Visit Website
Local Artisan Cider Producers
From tiny orchards making farmhouse 'scrumpy', large commercial operations producing a smooth refined drink, to the delicious Apple Brandy and the huge variety of refreshingly cool Apple Juices available - there has always been a strong association between Somerset and apples!
Visit Website
National Trust Properties
Theses include Montacute House, Barrington Court, Lytes Cary and Tintinhull Gardens for a start.
Visit Website
Jurassic Coastline
The Jurassic Coast is a Walk Through Time. With its rocks and fossils we can uncover detailed stories from Earth’s ancient past. Through its landslides, cliffs and beaches we can learn about the natural processes that formed the coast and continue to shape the world today.
Visit Website
Ham Hill
Ham Hill is a nationally important geological area, is home to rare and exciting wildlife and plant life and has a fascinating history. Come and explore the peaceful, leafy woodlands and glades, grassy meadows, impressive ramparts and iconic hamstone memorials and sculptures. There is extensive parking on site and loads of events to get involved with. The site is managed by South Somerset District Council.
Visit Website
