Somerset's Local Attractions
Come rain or shine, there’s plenty to do in Somerset and the surrounding areas. From transport museums and National Trust properties to medieval castles and tors, discover some of the very best Dorset and Somerset attractions.
Sherborne Castles
The Abbey town of Sherborne is home to not one, but two castles. Explore the ruins of Sherborne Old Castle, a once grand palace of the Bishops of Salisbury, and take in the sweeping views across the surrounding countryside.
Built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594, privately owned Sherborne Castle and Gardens features magnificent staterooms, a Tudor kitchen, a museum based in the family's cellars and over 42 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens designed by Capability Brown. The Castle and Gardens are open to visitors from April to August.
Lytes Cary Manor
Located in Somerton, just a short drive from The Queen’s Arms, lies Lytes Cary Manor, a fascinating manor house with a beautiful Arts and Crafts-style garden.
Discover the medieval house and chapel, walk through the landscaped garden with topiary, a croquet lawn and an ancient orchard and refresh in the tea room. There’s a natural play area along the estate’s White Walk.
National Trust Members go free.
Haynes Motor Museum
If you're searching for family attractions in Somerset, Haynes Motor Museum is well worth a visit. Packed with the UK’s largest collection of cars and motorbikes, you’ll find an impressive collection of iconic sports cars, a DeLorean and hundreds of historic vehicles.
The museum is also home to Karting at Haynes. Located on the old test circuit, expect top-class karts and plenty of action on the 400m outdoor track.
Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Museum
The Fleet Air Arm Museum is one of the top Somerset attractions. Housing more than 90 aircraft across four exhibition halls, there’s plenty to see and do at Europe’s largest naval aviation museum.
You’ll find the first British Concorde, the thrilling Aircraft Carrier Experience and Barracuda Live; The Big Rebuild, where an extinct aircraft is brought back to life.
Glastonbury Tor
Famed for its music festival, alternative culture and collection of unique shops and cafes, the historic town of Glastonbury lies just a 40-minute drive from The Queen’s Arms.
Glastonbury Tor is an iconic landmark, steeped in legend. Regarded as one of the most spiritual sites in the country, a climb to the top offers mesmerising views across the Somerset Levels, Dorset, Wiltshire and Wales.
This is one of the top dog-friendly Somerset attractions, but as sheep have recently been introduced to the Tor to graze, please keep them on a lead.
Cerne Abbas
The village of Cerne Abbas is most famous for the Cerne Abbas Giant, Britain’s largest and most distinctive chalk figure. There have been several theories about the giant’s origins, but recent research from the University of Oxford has found that he was originally carved in the Anglo-Saxon period as an image of the classical hero, Hercules. In the eleventh century, monks from the monastery at the base of Giant Hill reimagined him as an image of their saint, Eadwold. The giant has been reinterpreted in many ways over the centuries.
The Giant is an extraordinary and fascinating sight, and it’s well worth climbing the hill to see him up close.
Sherborne Abbey
Known to many as the Cathedral of Dorset, this beautiful Saxon cathedral was founded by St Aldhelm in AD 705. Guided tours of Sherborne Abbey take place regularly between April and November.
The Sherborne
A recently restored Georgian Manor house, The Sherborne offers a range of art exhibitions and events for the public as well as functioning as a wedding venue and events space. With a restored mural painted by James Thornhill and multiple exhibition spaces, it is well worth a visit.
Sherborne Town and Markets
Rich in history and heritage, the town of Sherborne is well worth a visit for its pretty honey-coloured houses, local markets and range of independent shops and boutiques. Sherborne Market takes place every Thursday and Saturday, and on the third Sunday of each month.