Large Group Houses in Somerset

Large Group Accommodation in Somerset

Somerset is a broad county with several quite different landscapes inside it — the Mendips and Cheddar Gorge in the north, the Levels in the middle, the Quantocks and Exmoor in the west, and a long coast on the Bristol Channel. It also has cider, Glastonbury, England's smallest city and some of the best farm food in the country. Large group accommodation in Somerset is mostly farmhouses, converted barns and manor houses, often with land attached.

Choosing a Part of the County

The north, around the Mendips, Wells and Cheddar, is the most visited and the easiest to reach from the M5 and Bristol. The centre — Glastonbury, Street, the Levels — is flat, strange and atmospheric, with the Tor visible for miles. The west, taking in the Quantocks and the Somerset side of Exmoor, is the quietest and most dramatic, running down to the coast at Porlock and Minehead. Groups wanting countryside and seclusion should look west; groups wanting easy travel and a town nearby should look north.

Caves, Cathedrals and Cider

Cheddar Gorge and its showcaves are the standard group day out in the north, and work in any weather. Wells — England's smallest city — has one of the finest cathedral fronts in the country and the moated Bishop's Palace beside it, all walkable in an afternoon. Glastonbury gives the Tor, the abbey ruins and a high street unlike anywhere else. Cider is a genuine local industry rather than a gift-shop line, and several producers run tours and tastings that take groups. (Opening times and group bookings vary by site and season, so confirm first.)

Walking, Levels and Coast

Somerset suits groups who want walking without serious ascent. The Mendip paths around Cheddar and Ebbor Gorge are short and rewarding; the Quantocks give open heath with long views and almost no crowds; and the Somerset Levels are flat, full of birds and best explored by bike or on the raised droves. On Exmoor, the coastal stretch between Porlock Weir and Lynmouth is one of the finest walks in southern England. The county is also well set up for a slower day — farm shops, pubs with gardens and a long lunch are entirely the point here.

Best Occasions for a Somerset Group Stay

Somerset is a strong choice for family gatherings and milestone birthdays, particularly where the group wants a house with land and a big kitchen rather than a town on the doorstep. It also suits walking groups and company weekends that want quiet. For a hen weekend, the usual pattern is a cider or spa day, a private chef at the house, and Bath or Bristol if the group wants a night out.

Getting There and Nearby Areas

The M5 runs down the eastern edge of the county with junctions for Weston-super-Mare, Bridgwater and Taunton, and Taunton and Castle Cary both have mainline stations — Castle Cary is the useful one for the Glastonbury and Bruton area. Bristol Airport sits just over the northern border. Bath is immediately north east, Dorset south, and Devon west.