Released On 23rd Mar 2022
Experience the beauty of South Somerset this spring
Bursting into Bloom
Vibrant colour fills every corner of the county with an abundance of historic houses, gardens, woodlands and country parks to discover.
(Pic: Tintinhull Garden)
East Lambrook Manor Gardens is an English Heritage Grade 1 listed garden and characterised by many winding paths through abundant borders and is renowned as the premier example of the English cottage garden style. It has noted collections of snowdrops, hellebores and hardy geraniums and be sure to pop into their excellent specialist hardy plant nursery in the garden.
The Newt in Somerset offers daily morning Garden Tours as part of your admission (membership applies). An experienced gardener will guide you through the vast collections of planted spaces and explain the different gardening styles through the ages, whilst stopping to pick, taste, smell and touch the different fruit and veg on offer.
You’ve hit the jackpot if you’re a National Trust member in South Somerset; Montacute House, Tintinhull Garden, Lytes Cary Manor and Barrington Court are all near to one another, bursting with life in spring, with many offering great Easter activities too.
Opportunities to enjoy extraordinary and noteworthy gardens in the Somerset area are plentiful;
Forde Abbey House & Gardens, Hauser & Wirth Somerset, Hestercombe Gardens, The Bishop’s Palace & Gardens and The Walled Gardens of Cannington are all worth a visit too.
Click here for more information: Historic Houses & Gardens
Go Wild in the Great Outdoors
Lose yourself in landscapes at Ham Hill Country Park and listen to the skylarks as they prepare to nest on the flat fields. In early spring, the woodland floors are a sea of yellow when the lesser celandines are the first flowers to emerge, closely followed by wood anemones and violets, and then in April a carpet of beautiful bluebells.
Enjoy the symphony of birdsong in Yeovil Country Park’s woodlands and see if you can spot the return of the nesting pair of swans. Keep an eye out for the elusive Kingfishers too.
Chard Reservoir Local Nature Reserve is a fantastic site for bird watching and walking, following wildflower meadows through to the woodland edge surrounding the expanse of open water with spectacular scenery. Kids love the woodland play area too.
The rangers organise some great activities throughout the year, particularly in the school holidays, from den building, bird trails, geocaching and pottery to fairy door painting! Keep a look out for the rangers' latest events on the website on our What's On pages: What's On - nature and wildlife
RSPB Swell Wood is magical in springtime; look out for nesting grey herons, while bluebells, primroses and orchids burst into life in the woodland. It's full of birdsong too, including chiffchaffs, blackcaps, marsh tits and song thrushes. Discover more by visiting their website: RSPB Swell Wood
Paddle, Walk, Cycle...
Paddle on the Parrett
With the arrival of warmer and longer days, the River Parrett starts to spring into action. It’s a particularly great spot for kayaks and paddleboarding, and Langport is a popular and family friendly base, with plenty of parkingand space along the river frontage for picnics and launching. For a unique view of the Somerset Levels, you can take a river trip on a restored Dart Ferry from Langport too,
The Duchess of Cocklemoor usually starting trips in May. Look out for wildlife including otters and kingfishers, herons and the famous Somerset cranes.
www.langport.life/
www.duchessofcocklemoor.co.uk/
www.thegreatcraneproject.org.uk/
Walking
With acres of scenic countryside and pretty towns and villages to discover you really are spoilt for choice in Somerset; from gentle circular walks to some serious long distance hikes and trails.
The River Parrett Trail is a stunning 50 mile walk that can be enjoyed in easy to follow sections that have all recently been updated and available to download for free here on our website. There are some fabulous highlights including Ham Hill Country Park, the site of one of Europe’s largest Iron Age hill forts, Stoke StGregory, the heart of the Somerset willow growing and basket making industry, and Burrow Mump and Athelney,where the Saxon King Alfred found a refuge from the Vikings. Click here to download your free route guidance: The River Parrett Trail
Cycling
Meander through the Levels at an easy pace or explore the hills for the more energetic. ‘Pedalling the Scenic Route’ offers circular cycle rides across the South Somerset Moors, suitable for all abilities and start at Langport. If you need to hire bikes, Parrett Trail Bikes in Langport is a friendly local business and if you’re looking forsomething with a bit more electric power, there’s Somerton Electric Bike Rentals
and Bruton Bike Hire too. Sustrans Route 30 runs through the heart of Merriott and past the award winning Feed Station café, a firm favourite with cyclists having been voted England’s top café for those on two wheels!
Discover more here: www.visitsouthsomerset.com/listings/cycling
www.feedstationmerriott.co.uk
Whatever the weather...
April showers? Not a problem. Bring your wellies and waterproofs and jump in lots of muddy puddles. But if you’d rather stay under cover, then there is plenty here to choose from.
From Haynes Motor Museum, the many market town museums such as Chard (the birthplace of modernflight) to the impressive Fleet Air Arm Museum at RNAS Yeovilton – the county offers a fantastic range forall tastes, ages and interests. At Fleet, you can climb on board Concorde or visit the deck of an aircraftcarrier and there are dozens of much older planes to see too.
There are many indoor activity and leisure centres, including Chard’s impressive new leisure facility.
Softplay centres can be found in Yeovil, Somerton, Chard and Ilminster. Flip Out in nearby Wellington is a fantastic trampoline park and Ready2Climb in Yeovil is a great indoor climbing centre.
Go to our Things to Do section for more great ideas and inspiration: Things to Do
Wake up in South Somerset this spring...
There’s no better place to immerse yourself in Spring’s natural and wild beauty. There are many places to stay for every taste and budget and we’re proud to be known for our warm welcome here. Discover cosy country cottages, boutique bolt-holes and unique retreats with stunning views: Take a browse at our accommodation here: Where to Stay
We look forward to welcoming you!
