List of tourist attractions in Somerset facts for kids
Somerset is a wonderful county in England, full of exciting places to explore. From ancient castles and fascinating museums to beautiful natural spots and fun animal parks, there's something for everyone. Whether you love history, nature, or just having a good time, Somerset has many amazing attractions waiting for you!
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Awesome Castles and Historic Homes
Somerset is home to many old castles and grand houses. These places let you step back in time and imagine what life was like long ago.
Explore Ancient Castles
- Dunster Castle is a historic castle with a long past. It sits on a tall hill, offering amazing views. You can explore its rooms and beautiful gardens. It's looked after by the National Trust.
- Farleigh Hungerford Castle is a medieval castle ruin. It has a spooky crypt and a chapel. This castle is managed by English Heritage.
- Nunney Castle is a cool, moated castle. It looks like something from a fairy tale. You can walk around the ruins and imagine knights and royalty.
- Cadbury Castle is an ancient hillfort. Some people even say it might be the legendary Camelot, King Arthur's castle! It's a great place for a walk.
- Museum of Somerset is in Taunton Castle. You can learn about Somerset's history here. It's a museum inside a castle!
Discover Historic Houses
- Barrington Court is a beautiful Tudor manor house. It has lovely gardens to explore. This house is cared for by the National Trust.
- Montacute House is a grand Elizabethan mansion. It has stunning architecture and artwork. The gardens are also very impressive. It's a National Trust property.
- Tyntesfield is a Victorian Gothic Revival house. It's huge and looks like something from a movie. You can discover how a wealthy family lived. It's also a National Trust site.
- Lytes Cary is a charming medieval manor house. It has beautiful gardens and a peaceful atmosphere. This historic home is managed by the National Trust.
- Coleridge Cottage was once home to the famous poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. You can see where he wrote some of his poems. It's a National Trust place.
- King John's Hunting Lodge in Axbridge is a medieval merchant's house. It shows how people lived centuries ago. It's a National Trust property.
- Treasurer's House in Martock is a lovely medieval house. It's a great example of old architecture. The National Trust looks after it.
- Prior Park in Bath has a beautiful landscape garden. It was designed by a famous poet. You can enjoy lovely views of Bath here. It's a National Trust site.
- Clevedon Court is a historic manor house with parts from the 14th century. It has a rich history and beautiful grounds. It's a National Trust property.
- Fyne Court is a hidden gem with gardens and woodlands. It was once the home of a famous scientist. It's a great place for a peaceful walk. It's a National Trust site.
- Holnicote Estate is a large estate with woodlands, farms, and villages. It's perfect for hiking and exploring the countryside. It's managed by the National Trust.
- Stoke sub Hamdon Priory is the remains of a medieval priory. It offers a glimpse into religious life long ago. It's a National Trust property.
- Tintinhull Garden is a beautiful garden with different "rooms" and lovely plants. It's a peaceful place to relax. It's a National Trust site.
- West Pennard Court Barn is a large medieval barn. It shows how important farming was in the past. It's a National Trust property.
Cool Museums and Exhibitions
Somerset has many museums where you can learn about all sorts of interesting things, from cars to fashion!
Amazing Transport Museums
- Haynes International Motor Museum is a must-see for car lovers! It has a huge collection of cars and motorcycles from different eras.
- Helicopter Museum in Weston-super-Mare has a fantastic collection of helicopters. You can see many different types and learn how they fly.
- Fleet Air Arm Museum at RNAS Yeovilton is all about naval aviation. You can see real aircraft and learn about the history of flying from ships.
- East Somerset Railway and West Somerset Railway are heritage railways. You can ride on old steam trains and experience travel from the past.
- Gartell Light Railway is another fun heritage railway. It's a smaller railway that offers a unique ride.
- Westonzoyland Pumping Station Museum shows old steam engines that were used to pump water. It's a cool place to see old machinery in action.
Fascinating History and Art Museums
- Roman Baths in Bath are incredibly famous. You can explore the ancient Roman bathing complex and learn about Roman life.
- Fashion Museum in Bath displays historical and contemporary fashion. It's a great place to see how clothes have changed over time.
- Herschel Museum of Astronomy in Bath was once the home of William Herschel, who discovered the planet Uranus. You can learn about astronomy and his discoveries.
- Holburne Museum of Art in Bath has beautiful art, including paintings and decorative arts. It's a lovely place to enjoy culture.
- Jane Austen Centre in Bath celebrates the famous author Jane Austen. You can learn about her life and how Bath inspired her novels.
- Museum of Bath at Work shows how people in Bath used to work. It has old workshops and machinery.
- Museum of East Asian Art in Bath has a collection of art from China, Japan, and Korea.
- Victoria Art Gallery in Bath displays a range of art, from old masters to modern pieces.
- Blake Museum in Bridgwater is in the birthplace of Robert Blake, a famous admiral. It tells the story of Bridgwater and its people.
- Dunster Doll Museum has a charming collection of dolls and toys. It's a nostalgic and interesting place to visit.
- The Shoe Museum in Street explores the history of shoes. You'll be surprised by how many different types of shoes there are!
- Somerset Brick and Tile Museum shows how bricks and tiles were made. It's a look into a traditional industry.
- Somerset Military Museum in Taunton Castle tells the story of Somerset's soldiers.
- Somerset Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury shows what rural life was like in Somerset. You can see old farm tools and learn about farming.
- Watchet Boat Museum is in a small harbour town. It displays local boats and tells stories of the sea.
- Wellington Museum tells the history of the town of Wellington.
- Wells and Mendip Museum has exhibits on local history, geology, and archaeology.
- West Somerset Rural Life Museum and Victorian School shows how people lived and went to school in the past.
- Weston Museum in Weston-super-Mare covers the history of the town and the local area.
- Willows and Wetlands Visitor Centre shows how willow is grown and used to make baskets and other crafts.
Amazing Nature Spots and Outdoor Adventures
Somerset's natural beauty offers many chances for outdoor fun, from stunning gorges to peaceful lakes.
Explore Natural Wonders
- Cheddar Gorge is an incredible limestone gorge. You can explore its caves, climb the cliffs, or just enjoy the amazing views. It's a truly spectacular place.
- Wookey Hole Caves are famous caves with underground rivers and stunning rock formations. There are also fun attractions above ground, like a paper mill and a fairy garden.
- Ebbor Gorge is a beautiful limestone gorge and nature reserve. It's a great place for a walk and to see wildlife. It's managed by the National Trust.
- Glastonbury Tor is a famous hill with a tower on top. It offers amazing views of the Somerset Levels. It's a magical place with many legends. It's a National Trust site.
- Exmoor is a beautiful national park. It has wild moorland, deep valleys, and a stunning coastline. It's perfect for hiking and spotting wildlife like wild ponies.
- Mendip Hills and Quantock Hills are Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). They are great for walking, cycling, and enjoying the peaceful countryside.
- Ham Hill is a large hill with an ancient fort. It offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. It's a popular spot for walks and picnics.
- Stanton Drew stone circles are ancient stone circles. They are a mysterious and fascinating place, similar to Stonehenge but less crowded. They are managed by English Heritage.
Lakes and Waterways
- Blagdon Lake and Chew Valley Lake are large reservoirs. They are popular for fishing, birdwatching, and walking around the shores.
- Wimbleball Reservoir is another large lake. It's great for watersports like sailing and kayaking, as well as walking.
- Bridgwater and Taunton Canal and Kennet and Avon Canal are historic canals. You can walk or cycle along their towpaths and watch the boats go by.
- River Avon flows through Bath. You can take boat trips on the river and see the city from a different perspective.
Fun Parks and Animals
If you love animals and exciting rides, Somerset has some great options for you!
- Brean Leisure Park is an amusement park with rides and attractions for all ages. It's a fun day out for families.
- Cricket St Thomas is a wildlife park. You can see many different animals here.
- Noah's Ark Zoo Farm is a large zoo farm. It has a wide variety of animals, from big cats to farm animals. It's a great place to learn about wildlife.
- The North Somerset Butterfly House is a tropical butterfly house. You can walk among beautiful butterflies flying freely.
Other Interesting Places
- The Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare is a famous pier with rides, arcade games, and food. It's a classic seaside attraction.
- Clevedon Pier is a beautiful Victorian pier. It's a lovely place for a stroll and to enjoy the sea air.
- Somerset Space Walk is a unique model of our solar system. You can walk along a path and see the planets scaled to distance.
Images for kids
See also
- Category:Tourist attractions in Somerset
- List of places of interest in Bath, Somerset
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List of tourist attractions in Somerset Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.