Somerset is a county where history and nature come together to create spaces of deep calm and beauty. Its rolling hills, ancient woodlands, and peaceful waterways offer the perfect retreat from the bustle of everyday life. Here are ten spots in Somerset where you can find true peace and tranquillity in the heart of nature.
Brean Down
Brean Down is a striking headland that extends into the Bristol Channel, offering sweeping views and a rich sense of history. The walk along this limestone pier takes you past ancient fortifications and through a landscape shaped by time and tide. The combination of coastal beauty and historical significance makes Brean Down a serene spot where the sounds of the sea provide a natural soundtrack to your thoughts.
The Quantock Hills
The Quantock Hills, designated as a ‘Natural Landscape’ (formerly an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), are a mix of heathland, woods, and rolling hills. These landscapes have long inspired poets and artists, and it’s easy to see why. Walking through the Quantocks, you’ll find pockets of quiet where the only sounds are the wind in the trees and the distant call of birds. It’s a place that invites you to slow down and immerse yourself in the natural world.
Cheddar Gorge
Cheddar Gorge is one of Somerset’s most dramatic landscapes, with its towering limestone cliffs and deep, shadowy gorges. Despite its popularity, there are many quieter paths where you can escape the crowds and feel the majesty of the place. The Gorge is not just a tourist attraction but a place of deep natural beauty, where the power of the landscape speaks volumes in the silence.
The Mendip Hills
The Mendip Hills rise above the Somerset plains, offering a landscape of rugged beauty and quiet spaces. The hills are crisscrossed with walking paths that lead through limestone gorges, wooded valleys, and open plateaus. The Mendips are a place where you can find solitude in nature, whether you’re exploring the deep caves or simply enjoying the view from a hilltop. It’s a landscape that invites exploration and offers peace in return.
The Avalon Marshes
The Avalon Marshes, part of the Somerset Levels, are a network of wetlands rich in wildlife and history. Walking through the marshes, you’ll be surrounded by the sounds of water and the rustling of reeds, with the occasional call of a bird overhead. The Marshes are a place of quiet beauty, where the landscape feels timeless, and the pace of life slows to match the gentle flow of the water.
Glastonbury Tor
Glastonbury Tor is one of Somerset’s most iconic landmarks, rising majestically above the Somerset Levels. Known for its deep connections to legend and spirituality, the Tor offers a peaceful retreat for those who climb to its summit. The views from the top stretch out for miles, and the sense of history and myth adds a layer of tranquillity that is unique to this place. It’s a perfect spot for quiet reflection, especially at dawn or dusk when the light softens the landscape.
Hestercombe Gardens
Hestercombe Gardens, just outside Taunton, are a beautifully restored landscape that offers a mix of formal gardens, woodland walks, and serene water features. The gardens are designed to lead you through a series of peaceful spaces, each with its own atmosphere. Whether you’re wandering through the formal terraces or exploring the wilder parts of the estate, Hestercombe is a place where nature and artistry come together to create a sense of deep calm.
Ham Hill Country Park
Ham Hill Country Park, near Yeovil, combines natural beauty with a rich historical backdrop. The park is home to an Iron Age hillfort, and the paths lead you through wildflower meadows and ancient woodlands. The views from the top of Ham Hill stretch across the Somerset countryside, offering a panoramic vista that’s perfect for quiet contemplation. It’s a place where the past and present meet in a landscape that’s both peaceful and full of life.
Exmoor National Park
Exmoor National Park, which stretches across Somerset and into Devon, offers some of the most peaceful and remote landscapes in the region. The moorlands and valleys of Exmoor are places where you can walk for hours without seeing another person, surrounded by the sounds of nature and the wide-open sky. Whether you’re exploring the deep woods or the high moorland, Exmoor offers a sense of solitude that’s hard to find elsewhere.
Ebbor Gorge
Ebbor Gorge, near Wookey Hole, is a small but stunning limestone gorge that feels like a secret hideaway. The paths through the gorge are shaded by ancient trees, and the rocks rise steeply on either side, creating a natural cathedral of stone and greenery. It’s a place of quiet beauty, where you can escape the world for a while and find peace in the embrace of nature.
Somerset is a county rich in natural beauty and tranquillity, offering countless opportunities to find peace in its landscapes. Whether you’re drawn to the dramatic cliffs of Cheddar Gorge, the mystical atmosphere of Glastonbury Tor, or the quiet woodlands of the Quantock Hills, Somerset has a place for you to escape the noise of everyday life and reconnect with the natural world.
These ten spots offer just a glimpse of the peace and serenity that Somerset has to offer, each inviting you to slow down, breathe deeply, and find your own place of calm in the heart of nature.
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