Somerset

[Frostytiger87]

Hi , we are spending a week in Somerset this month with one 15 year old teen girl . We will be staying in Chard but have a car any recommendations for things to see & do please ? Also any good restaurants which we could book in advance ?
We enjoy scenic walks , & swimming , festivals

You're going to be so near the Jurassic coast - no shortage of things/place to see. Use google to see what's on offer. Lyme Regis with its' old harbour wall, filmed in Officer and a Gentleman, Charmouth with its' beautiful beach, West Bay - where Broadchurch was set, Seaton - lovely olde worlde seaside vibe. The list goes on. Have a lovely time

Thankyou loopylondi for your informative reply

Swimming wise you have the sea in nearby dorset , lyme regis etc also couple of nice pubs and a seafood restaurant that is supposed to be good in lyme
Not too far from chard is a place called haselbury mill which has a nice restaurant, nice grounds prob a 30 min journey so not sure if that is too far, can't think of any in chard itself as not somewhere i go
Think chard has a local pool and def one in crewkerne if not.
Chard reservoir is supposed to be nice for walking

I've just got back from a week in Somerset. There's lots to do . I didn't mind travelling a bit further afield and love Glastonbury and the niche shops plus Abbey. Also longleat is great but the main house isn't open yet. It depends what your teenager likes.

From Chard you can drive over the Blackdown Hills towards Taunton and walk in Neroche Forest. Lovely food at Pip’s Carriage at the Trading Post, Lopen about 9 miles from Chard. Pilsdon Pen (near Marshwood) has amazing views over the Dorset Coast. Rachael’s is a seafood shack in West Bay that does lovely food. On some Saturdays there is a pizza company at Perry’s Cider Farm in Dowlish Wake, it is really nice to sit in their Orchard having a cider and eating pizza. Details are usually on FB. There is also Burrow Hill cider bus Saturdays with food and music and the cider bus from Glastonbury Festival, it’s advertised on Instagram. Sorry I’ve just realised that none of them are actually restaurants, they are a bit more cafe and outdoor eating, but good food though. Have a lovely time.

Thankyou all so much for your recommendations it’s greatly appreciated.
Sadly it looks as though a few days at the moment will be raining cheddar Gorge is closed
Is there anything to see or do indoors on a rainy day , I’m thinking one afternoon we could have afternoon tea if anyone can advise please ?

We stayed near chard and mainly went to Lyme Regis. The Pilot Boat Inn there does good food and there’s a roof top terrace which is lovely if you have the right weather. If you like walks there are nice walks in that section that form part of the south west coastal path.

Wookey hole is quite covered for a rainy day, but not sure I’d recommend it or not, it’s a very random place and overpriced - use Tesco club card vouchers if you have some and they still accept them

You’re not that far from Beer, I had a lovely cream tea on the beach there

Royal Oak Farm for Cream teas (phone to book first though). If the rain clears up for an hour of so you could go for a wonder round Wayford Woods which is 5 minutes away.

Also Broadwindsor Craft Centre is good for lunch or tea (it's changed name now to Redland's Yard).

Wander not wonder 🤨

Lyme Regis is great and the doughnuts at the whole hog are delicious.

Sidmouth donkey sanctuary is ( or was ) free and there is a really nice walk from the sanctuary down to the beach.

The Newt is beautiful for a walk and lunch/tea & cake/ ice cream.
Bruton has a couple of very good restaurants, including Roth Bar at the Hauser & Wirth gallery (have a look to see if the exhibition is of interest in advance - can be a bit hit and miss).

The craft centre at Martock (off the A303) at Yandles woodyard is good, with a very nice café. Nice walks round Langport, Somerton, Glastonbury.

Thankyou all so much , I’m getting a bit worried as the weather isn’t looking too good for next week atm , so I’m trying to find things to do that isnt outdoors as well

May be a bit far to go but Bath is great and lots of rainy day activities, jane Austen museum and Roman baths.

Thankyou all for your recommendations