Manor Farm Caravan Park

The Quantock Hills are wild but compact: heaths, moors and cliffs covering an area 12 miles by four; there are paths for hikers and bikers all across and around them, many finishing up with a paddle in the sea. The Bridgwater Bay National Nature Reserve (20 minutes’ drive) is similarly well supplied with paths through a coastal wetland landscape, full of curlews and oystercatchers among the wildflowers. Heading further up the coast, Brean Down (an hour’s drive) is a natural pier jutting into the sea, where the fort at the end makes a fine stopping and picnicking point. Watch out for wild goats and falcons on the way there and then see if you can spy the Directional Concrete Arrow, one of dozens placed around Britain during World War II to help bomber crews navigate. Brean beach is a peaceful spot, but if you’re into bigger seaside stuff, the Victorian resort of Weston-super-Mare is 45 minutes from the site. To make the trip to Minehead in style, take the West Somerset Railway from Bishop’s Lydeard (half an hour) for a 20-mile steam ride through fine surrounds. For history more ancient, as well as town centre strolls and walks up to the Tor, travel 45 minutes to Glastonbury.