Why visit Somerset?
Countryside and coast
Tasty treats are in store when camping in Somerset. And we’re not just referring to the region’s cider-making heritage. The scenery is also scrumptious, whether you're high up on Dunkery Beacon or low down in the Somerset Levels. Check out Cheddar Gorge as well for vast views and quirky caves (or just to stock up on world-renowned cheese…).
Busy beach resorts
Want to stay in Somerset near the beach? Go camping in Brean and gaze out across the Bristol Channel to Wales on a headland walk or make Minehead your base for tours of the always-enticing Exmoor National Park. You could also wander around Weston-super-Mare’s Victorian pier, antique shops and amusement arcades.
Slick cities
Add Bath to the itinerary to gaze at Georgian architecture recently immortalised in hit Netflix TV show Bridgerton. Bristol is just a 10-minute train ride from this city, so it's a solid plan to tack on a tour of the Banksy graffiti in England’s capital of cool. Visiting in August? You can also head to a festival where multiple hot-air balloons float through the sky enmasse. And don't miss Wells. With an intricately designed gothic cathedral, this teeny-tiny city punches above its weight when it comes to striking buildings.
Top things to do in Somerset
* Soak up the spiritual vibes at Glastonbury Tor, a place of pilgrimage for pagans
* Find out how the Romans kept clean at the ornate baths in the city of Bath
* See swans ring the bell outside the opulent Bishop’s Palace in Wells
* Rent a barge for long, lazy days floating on the Kennet and Avon canal
* Spot exotic animals from the comfort of your car at Longleat Safari and Adventure Park
Unexplored Somerset
Adrenaline-sparking activities
A little more under the radar than nearby Devon and Cornwall, Somerset is a low-key location for a laidback break. But there are still lots of adventures to have here. Embrace nerve-jangling pursuits at Somerset campsites near canoeing and kayaking, perhaps in the Blackdown and Quantock hills, or spend your break dangling from a climbing crag at the coast.
Peaceful pursuits
If you’re keen on the green, you can stay at campsites in Somerset close to golf courses. Or why not bed down near birdwatching spots like the Wayford Woods, Ham Hall, Sutton Bingham Reservoir and Bincombe Beeches? Wing your way to fabulous Forde Abbey too, with its 30 acres of lawns and England’s tallest powered fountain, then check out Chew Valley Lake in the Mendips on a chilled-out walk.
Scrumpy-based stays
Hoping to sample some scrumpy (homemade cider) when camping in Somerset? Opt for a site near a taproom serving the strong stuff. Some of the best are around Langport and Taunton. You could also pitch up in the grounds of country pubs or settle down near the Thatcher’s factory, one of the UK's most renowned cider makers.
Underrated villages and towns
Take in tiny Porlock Weir in Exmoor National Park, then venture just over the county border to Devon for the twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth edging the scenic Valley of Rocks on the South West Coast Path. For adventures inland, dawdle around Dunster’s well-preserved medieval village and castle or hit the artisanal shops in independent-minded Frome.
Here’s how
We’ve got everything from simple pitches to static caravan sites in Somerset for your stay. Rock up to a rental tent if you don’t fancy packing your own, or book out a cosy camping pod.
And while you can’t legally go wild camping in Somerset, you can embrace the experience – without breaking the law – at sites in remote locations.
It’s easy to source places to stay in Somerset: simply browse by price, area, facilities and type of accommodation or have a look at the additional options in the filters on this page. You can find touring caravan sites in Somerset for your rolling home, as well as fully serviced pitches and those that fit more than one tent or motorhome.
Alternatively, take a look at these top options:
* Campsites in Somerset with electric hook-up
* Dog-friendly camping in Somerset
* Campsites in Somerset with campfires allowed
* Adults-only campsites in Somerset
* Somerset campsites with a bar or clubhouse
Swanning around England’s south west for a while? Good choice. Get down to Dorset's Jurassic Coast next before venturing even further south to the beautiful beaches of Cornwall.
You’ll need to prepare first, of course, so do that with the help of our camping guide. It’s full of useful resources, from a packing checklist to tips on taking the dog on holiday.
