There is plenty of fun to be had by children of all ages in Somerset. Here’s a selection of what we think are the best attractions, all listed with drive times from Somerset Holiday Cottages.
Longleat – 45 minutes
Best known for its drive through safari park, where you can get up close to lions and tigers from the comfort of your car. Children will love seeing monkeys clamber over the windscreen – and possibly remove a wiper if you’re unlucky. As well as the drive through, there’s a boat ride across the lake to visit the orangutans and feed the sea lions, a train ride, a maze, plus lots more exotic animals to walk around and see. There are various places to eat and drink, and seasonal events going on throughout the year. It’s worth booking ahead during the school holidays.
Haynes Motor Museum, Sparkford – 20 minutes
Home to the UK’s largest collection of cars and motorbikes, this is a great place for a rainy day. Children can learn how a car works and follow the trail of brass rubbings that runs through the extensive vehicle displays. Toddlers can drive themselves around the exhibits in the Little Tikes cars supplied. We recommend leaving the outdoor play area to last as it will be hard to tear them away from its small world style road system, with ride on cars, fuel station and cafe. There’s also vehicle-themed play equipment and a construction zone complete with excavators and diggers. The museum has a cafe plus an extensive gift shop, so is handy if you happen to be looking for a present for a motoring fans of any age.
Wookey Hole, near Wells – 30 minutes
Explore the world famous caves, which were once home to ancient hyenas, and are now full of stalactites and stalagmites. Your ticket will gain you entry to other attractions including mini golf, the dinosaur grove (think huge model dinosaurs spread around gardens), a soft play, museum, circus shows, vintage arcade and 4D cinema.
East Somerset Railway – Cranmore, near Shepton Mallet – 25 minutes
Take a ride on a steam train through the Somerset countryside. The journey takes around 35 minutes but you are allowed to ride as many times as you like, providing it’s not too busy. The staff are all very friendly and visitors can go inside the engine shed and workshop to see the restoration work they have in progress. The station is home to a time capsule museum, while you can also visit the period waiting room and ticket office. There’s a cafe, free car park and an outdoor play area. Dogs are welcome on the trains.
The East Somerset railway opened in 1858 and originally ran from Witham to Shepton Mallet, then was later extended to Wells, where it joined the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway. Isambard Kingdom Brunel was the surveyor, and the line was used by passengers as well as for transporting stone from the many quarries in the area. It was closed in the 1960s, before being reopened as a heritage railway just 10 years later.
Palette and Pasture, near Frome – 30 minutes
Just a few miles on from the East Somerset Railway is this ice cream parlour and play area. Kids will love the ride-on pedal tractors, bouncy castles and feeding the sheep and goats. The gelato is all homemade using milk from their own cows, with a choice of ice cream sundaes and toppings that will make your mouth water. The farm also hosts seasonal events including a maize maze and pick your own pumpkins.
