Holiday rentals and lettings in Somerset

• Somerset sits in south-west England, an easy drive from Bristol, Bath and the M5, making it a straightforward base for a rural break.
• The county pairs dramatic landscapes, from Cheddar Gorge to Exmoor, with gentle countryside, cider orchards and the wildlife-rich Somerset Levels.
• Self-catering cottages, farmhouses and barn conversions dominate the choice, with many welcoming dogs and families.
• Popular bases include Wells, Glastonbury, Cheddar and the villages around Exmoor and the Quantocks.
• Expect wood burners, gardens and countryside views as standard, with hot tubs at a good number of properties.

Somerset rewards slow travel, and the right base makes all the difference. Whether you picture snug cottages tucked into a Mendip village, spacious holiday homes for a family gathering or indulgent luxury retreats with every comfort, you will find a self-catering letting to suit the way you like to travel.

• A wood burner for cosy evenings after a day on the moors.
• A private garden for morning coffee and long summer suppers.
• A hot tub at a good number of properties for a soak under the stars.
• Dog-friendly touches so the whole family, four legs included, can come along.
• Sweeping countryside views over orchards, hills and open fields.

If you would rather be under canvas, our campsites and glamping sites put you within easy reach of Exmoor's dark skies and the coast.

What are the best areas to stay in Somerset?

Where you stay shapes your trip. History lovers gravitate to Wells and Glastonbury, walkers to Exmoor and the Quantocks, and families to Cheddar for its gorge and caves. The table below sums up the character of each area to help you choose.

What do our guests say?

Guests consistently praise the warm welcome from local hosts, the comfort and cleanliness of their lettings and the peace and quiet of the Somerset countryside. Many highlight how well placed their base was for exploring, and return year after year for another relaxed break.

Somerset is a green and varied county in south-west England of dramatic gorges, ancient hills, wildlife-rich wetlands and cider orchards. From the show caves of Cheddar and the myth-soaked streets of Glastonbury to the wild expanse of Exmoor and the birdsong of the Somerset Levels, it packs a remarkable range of landscapes into one gentle, welcoming corner of the country.

✈️What is the best way to get to Somerset?

Somerset is well connected by road and rail, and the nearest major airport is Bristol, just to the north of the county.

• By car: The M5 runs through the county, linking Somerset with Bristol, the Midlands and the South West, with the A303 and A37 reaching the more rural areas.
• By train: Main-line stations at Taunton, Bridgwater and Castle Cary connect to London Paddington and the wider network, with local services fanning out from there.

🥗Where to eat in Somerset?

According to Google Maps reviews, Root Wells is one of the best rated restaurants in Somerset. Below is a table showing top highly-rated spots hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Marta and James rate Goodfellows in Wells: a small but exceptional spot for beautifully cooked seasonal and seafood dishes with a carefully chosen wine list. They suggest booking ahead for dinner and lingering over the tasting menu after a day exploring the cathedral and the Mendips.

☀️When is the best time to visit?

Somerset is a year-round destination, but each season has its own character. Summer brings festivals and long days, spring and autumn offer quiet trails and colour, and winter rewards those after cosy nights by the fire.

Summer (June–August)

• Long, warm days perfect for walking Exmoor and the coast.
• Festival season, with Glastonbury and countless village events.
• Orchards and gardens at their lush, green best.

Spring & Autumn (April–May, September–October)

• Quieter trails and lower prices away from the peak.
• Spring blossom in the orchards and lambs in the fields.
• Autumn colour across the Quantocks and cider-pressing season.

Winter (November–March)

• Cosy cottages with wood burners and hearty pub lunches.
• Crisp, clear days for bracing walks and empty caves.
• Dark skies over Exmoor, ideal for stargazing.

⭐Our Hosts' recommendation: Our local hosts suggest setting aside a full day to walk a stretch of the Mendips or Exmoor, then rounding it off with a tasting at a traditional cider farm. Pack layers whatever the season, and keep an eye out for the red deer and wild ponies that roam the higher ground.

1. Explore Cheddar Gorge and its caves
2. Climb Glastonbury Tor
3. Visit Wells and its cathedral
4. Discover Exmoor and the Quantocks
5. Wander the Somerset Levels

1. Explore Cheddar Gorge and its caves

   Cheddar Gorge is the largest gorge in Britain, its limestone cliffs rising some 137 metres above a winding road. Follow the cliff-top walk for giddy views, then head underground into Gough's Cave and Cox's Cave, where stalactites and pools glow in the lamplight. This is where the tangy cheese was born, so leave time to taste it at the source before browsing the little shops and cafés clustered at the foot of the gorge.

2. Climb Glastonbury Tor

   The Tor is Somerset's most famous landmark, a conical hill crowned by the roofless tower of St Michael's church. The short but steep climb rewards you with sweeping views over the Levels, and on misty mornings the hill seems to float above the fields, fuelling the legends of Avalon. Wrapped in myth and pilgrimage, it is a magical spot at dawn or dusk, and an easy walk from the abbey ruins in the town below.

3. Visit Wells and its cathedral

   Wells is England's smallest city, built around one of the country's finest medieval cathedrals. Marvel at the scissor arches and the ancient astronomical clock, then wander the cobbled Vicars' Close, said to be the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in Europe. The market square, moated Bishop's Palace and independent shops make Wells an unhurried, atmospheric place to spend a day, with plenty of tea rooms for a well-earned break.

4. Discover Exmoor and the Quantocks

   Straddling the Somerset and Devon border, Exmoor is a wild upland of heather moor, wooded combes and tumbling rivers, home to red deer and hardy ponies. The neighbouring Quantock Hills, England's first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offer gentler ridge walks with far-reaching views. Both are prized for their dark skies, so pack a torch and stay out after dusk to watch the stars come out over the empty moor.

5. Wander the Somerset Levels

   The Somerset Levels are a low-lying patchwork of wetlands, ditches and willow beds stretching across the heart of the county. In winter, vast flocks of starlings gather at dusk to perform their swirling murmurations over the reedbeds, one of Britain's great wildlife spectacles. Explore on foot or by bike along the droves and old peat tracks, visit a working willow farm, and soak up the wide skies and deep quiet of this timeless landscape.