Somerset combines elegant Georgian architecture with dramatic natural landscapes, ancient legends, and surprisingly dark historical sites. These travel guides focus on the county’s most compelling attractions, led by the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath, famous for its honey-coloured terraces and Roman roots. Beyond Bath, Somerset reveals unexpected treasures—from atmospheric medieval ruins and legendary underground caverns to notorious historic prisons. Whether you’re drawn to literary history, ecclesiastical architecture, or the darker corners of British heritage, these guides provide the practical information needed to plan a rewarding visit.
Bath’s Georgian and Roman Heritage
The city of Bath is a perfectly preserved monument to 18th-century elegance and ancient thermal springs. These guides help you navigate the city’s premier historic sites and literary connections.
No. 1 Royal Crescent: Ticket prices, hours, and visitor guide: Explore this perfectly preserved Georgian townhouse for a fascinating, immersive insight into 18th-century aristocratic life in Bath.
Jane Austen Centre: Visitor guide and parking: Discover the life and times of Bath’s most famous literary resident, complete with ticket prices and tips for navigating the interactive exhibits.
Bath Abbey: Prices, times, and visitor tips: Plan your visit to this stunning parish church, globally renowned for its magnificent fan-vaulted ceiling and intricate stained glass.
The Roman Baths: Prices, times and visitor advice: The thermal springs are the reason for Bath’s existence, and this extraordinarily restored Roman site tells the story.
Wells, Caves, and Dark History
Venture beyond Bath to discover England’s smallest city, legendary subterranean caverns, and one of the country’s oldest and most notorious jails.
Wells Cathedral: Ticket prices, hours, and visitor guide: What to look out for at this exceptional medieval masterpiece, including its famous scissor arches and historic astronomical clock. It’s one of the best Gothic cathedrals in the UK for visitors.
Wookey Hole Caves: A 2026 visitor guide: Learn the legendary tale of the Witch of Wookey Hole while exploring this spectacular, family-friendly network of limestone caverns.
Shepton Mallet Prison: Why you should book in advance: A practical guide to taking a guided tour behind the high walls of this eerie, decommissioned centuries-old prison.
Historic Abbeys and Castles
Somerset is dotted with the romantic, atmospheric ruins of the Middle Ages. These guides provide the essential logistics for exploring the county’s medieval strongholds and monastic sites.
Cleeve Abbey: Opening hours, tickets, and visitor guide: What to know before visiting one of the most impressively preserved medieval Cistercian monastic sites in southwest England.
Farleigh Hungerford Castle: Tickets and how to plan your visit: Key information for exploring these fortified 14th-century ruins, including the fascinating chapel crypt and its leaden human-shaped coffins.
Five great things to do in Somerset
- 🏛️ Learn the 2,000 year history – and taste the waters at the Roman Baths in Bath.
- 🔒 On a guided Shepton Mallet prison tour – learn about life behind bars.
- 🎬 See the Bridgerton filming locations – on a TV and movies-themed walking tour in Bath.
- 🌳 Learn about Glastonbury’s trees – on a nature tour with a twist.
- 🚶 Cover Bath’s highlights – on an expert-guided walking tour.
