A Guide to Buying a Holiday Home in Somerset

Glastonbury Tor, image courtesy of Shutterstock

Holiday homes

As one of England’s largest counties, Somerset has plenty of plus points. Beautiful beaches, vast countryside and historic buildings all combine to create a county with plenty to occupy your leisure time.

Regular visits to the county can involve sandy beaches – both main resorts and more secluded sections, historic sites, and vibrant local food. With Exmoor’s wild beauty, Cheddar Gorge’s dramatic cliffs, and family-friendly attractions, Somerset suits all ages.

It’s a relaxing, scenic destination that blends nature, culture, and adventure perfectly.

Claire Tupholme Content Editor: Travel/Campsites

As well as being the Content Editor for Travel and Campsites, Claire also looks after Premier Parks, which means she has seen her fair share of campsites and knows her way around Great Britain. Claire now loves to share her wealth of travel knowledge with other intrepid explorers.

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Is Somerset a good place for a holiday home?

From historical highlights such as the Georgian architecture of Bath, to sandy beaches and the barren wilderness of Exmoor National Park, there’s something for everyone to discover.

Beach lovers will enjoy the long, sandy beaches and coastal resorts that contrast with the dramatic rocky Exmoor coastline. Whether you want a beach for building sandcastles or a more secluded location for taking in the sound of the waves, you’ll find it here.

Inland, historians can uncover mystery and Arthurian legend with a trip to Glastonbury, or explore the cathedral city of Wells, and, to tempt the tastebuds, Somerset is, of course, cider, cheese and strawberry country.

If you're ready to explore the benefits of owning your own holiday home, take a look at our Complete Guide to Buying a Holiday Home, which will explain everything you need to know before you buy.

Photo courtesy of Trawsdir caravan park

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Exmoor, image courtesy of Shutterstock

What to do in Somerset

Go wild on Exmoor
In the north of the county, Exmoor National Park’s footpaths and bridleways allow you to experience this rugged and unspoilt landscape at your leisure for a few hours or the whole day. You can also try wild swimming, coasteering, riding, falconry… The list is endless! Be sure to look out for the iconic wild ponies, too.

To the east of Exmoor are the Quantock Hills. The first place in Britain to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, these hills offer woods, rolling heathland and coastal paths that can keep you occupied for hours.

Historical highlights
For gorgeous Georgian architecture you can’t get much better than Bath – the only UK city to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To walk among the Roman relics and on 2,000-year-old pavements you need to be in the city centre, where there’s the Roman Baths, the abbey and Pulteney Bridge.

Further south into Somerset is the town of Glastonbury, famous for its music festival and home to the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey and the imposing Glastonbury Tor. And don’t forget Wells! England’s smallest city packs a punch with its grand cathedral, moated Bishop’s Palace and medieval Vicars’ Close.

The coastal collection
If days at the seaside are what you’re after, then Somerset won’t disappoint.

For a traditional seaside resort there’s Weston-super-Mare, known for its Grand Pier with indoor theme park, amusements, restaurants and cafés. And popular with families, Minehead Beach is a wide expanse of sand with a busy promenade.

For a more wild and untamed beach, head to Brean, with one of the most dramatic landmarks on the Somerset coastline – Brean Down. In the care of the National Trust, this peninsula points out 1.5 miles into the Bristol Channel. Breathtaking views, plentiful wildlife and a fascinating history combine, with a Victorian fort at the down's end to explore.

A welcome change from the traditional beach, the long pebble and rock beach at Porlock Weir is backed by marshland with an abundance of wildlife. The South West Coast Path passes the beach, and the picturesque village, with its thatched roofed buildings, offers a selection of cafés, restaurants and shops.

Roman Baths, image courtesy of Shutterstock

Brean, image courtesy of Shutterstock

Must-visit places in Somerset

Only at Cheddar Gorge can you be deep underground one minute, exploring the network of stalactite show caves, and then on top of the world the next, at the plateau of these limestone hills. Fantastic views of the gorge are available from the open-top Gorge Tour Bus and from the three-mile clifftop gorge walk.

Continuing with the subterranean theme, there’s Wookey Hole Caves. With over 20 attractions in one ticket, including a labyrinth of cave chambers, animatronic dinosaurs, a mirror maze and crazy golf, this is a place for the whole family to enjoy.

If you like your country estates and historic buildings, head to Dunster Castle and Watermill on the northeast edge of Exmoor National Park. Here you’ll find an ancient castle, a working Victorian watermill, a terraced garden, and lots of parkland to explore. Two miles from the castle is Dunster Beach where you can access the coast path and hop on the West Somerset Railway to enjoy the countryside on an old-fashioned steam train.

For a gorgeous mix of woodland and riverside scenery, visit the dramatic river gorge and ancient woodland of Watersmeet, set in stunning surroundings. Walk to your heart’s content and refuel at the waterside tea room serving lunches, drinks, and of course, cream teas.

If you enjoy views to die for, take a hike to the top of Dunkery Beacon. This is the highest point in Exmoor – in fact, apart from Dartmoor, this is the highest point in southern England. A climb to the top will reward you with views for miles in every direction. Take a picnic and enjoy being out on the open moorland, or grab the chance to snap some pretty pictures.

Dunster Castle, image courtesy of Shutterstock

Wells, image courtesy of Shutterstock

Cheddar Gorge, image courtesy of Shutterstock

FAQs

Why is Somerset so popular?

Somerset beckons with its breathtaking natural vistas and the timeless allure of its historic towns. Moreover, with a wealth of activities catering to all ages, Somerset ensures that each visit leaves a lasting impression, compelling visitors to return time and again. Throughout the year there is plenty to do, from walking the frost-covered moors in winter to family days at the beach in the height of summer.
How to buy a holiday home in Somerset?

Purchasing a holiday home may feel overwhelming at first, but it’s one of the most rewarding ways to invest in your leisure time – who wouldn’t love having getaways whenever they want?
Our Complete Guide to Buying a Holiday Home walks you through every step, from early planning and selecting the ideal park to understanding essential costs and insurance.
How much do holiday homes in Somerset cost?

Prices for holiday homes vary, with brand new homes being more expensive than ones a few years old. There are also entry-level homes for those on a budget and luxury holiday homes with no expense spared.
In order to see what models or homes are available, our handy Guide to Buying a Holiday Home is a useful resource, along with our Holiday Homes for All Budgets article.
We also have guides tailored to specific budgets, from affordable holiday homes, and mid-level holiday homes, right up to luxury holiday homes.
Where to buy a holiday home in Somerset?

Seaside escape or country haven? A holiday park packed with amenities or a quiet hideaway? After choosing the perfect spot in Somerset for your holiday home and thinking about the style of park that suits you, explore the parks highlighted in this article, each offering a range of holiday homes for sale.
What are the big towns in Somerset?

Some of the most popular towns and places in Somerset include Frome, Glastonbury, Minehead, Street, Dunster, Clevedon and Weston-super-Mare. Then there are the historic cities of Bath and Wells.
How to rent out a holiday home in Somerset

You can purchase a holiday home in Somerset and, when you’re not staying there, earn extra income by renting it to holidaymakers. For guidance on how this works and what to think about before starting, see our Complete Guide to Buying a Holiday Home.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to book a holiday home for a Somerset getaway instead, take a look at our Campsite Finder, to help you find the ideal park – many offer lodges and static homes for hire alongside their camping and touring pitches.