Large Houses to Rent in Somerset
RENT A BIG HOUSE IN SOMERSET
Golden villages in green valleys, wild moorlands and nature-rich waterways, folklore and myth, and an undisturbed stretch of coast. These are just a handful of the characteristics that make Somerset one of the best-loved counties in the UK. Our big houses in somerset match the mood, with everything from country manors steeped in history to cottages hidden amidst the rolling hills. Explore coastal villages like medieval Dunster and the old fashioned seaside resort of Minehead. Spot the rare birds, doughty ponies and wild heathers on Exmoor, and climb Dunkery Beacon for views of the county spread out below you. Visit the caves and crags of Cheddar Gorge, the tiny cathedral city of Wells and the Roman spa city of Bath. Feast on a somerset cream tea, sample some aged cheddar and taste the local ciders – go easy on the scrumpy though! You can even stay at one of our large country properties to do the Glastonbury Festival in style. Browse our big houses to rent in Somerset and start planning your break to this historic county.
Choose your Somerset holiday house
WHEN TO STAY IN SOMERSET
Spring
Immerse yourself in the colours of spring in Somerset as new blooms and warm sunshine bring a hint of better times. At Forde Abbey, gaze in awe at the carpet of crocuses, wander through swirls of tulips and explore meadows of wild spring flowers. Witness 50 acres of gardens and grounds bursting into spring at Hestercombe and meet the spring newborns at Court Farm Country Park. Pick your horses at the Wincanton Family Fun Day, get nostalgic at the West Somerset Railway Spring Steam Spectacular and visit the Royal Bath and West Show for a taste of rural Somerset life.
Summer
There’s a clue in the name! Summer in Somerset is a wonderful time of the year. It’s all about sun hats and ice creams on the beach, country fairs in pretty villages, and of course, the big one – Glastonbury Festival. And there’s so much more. It’s definitely festival time, with everything from the Gone Wild Festival at Powderham Caslte to the American-themed Rocks and Ribs Festival at Wincanton Racecourse and the Bath Festival, England’s oldest arts festival. Use the long days for days trips to Exmoor, a fun day at a theme park, such as Puxton Park, or visits to National Trust Properties with gardens, such as Montecute House where you can see the ‘wibbly wobbly’ hedge.
Autumn
In autumn, Somerset is bathed in reds and golds, mist rising in the sleepy villages and purple heather carpeting Exmoor. Take a road trip though the countryside, stopping off in thatched pubs for local ciders and ploughman’s lunches with Cheddar cheese. Explore the Quantock Hills, where the trees put on a spectacular display, and go fossil hunting on Kilve Beach, near Watchet. Head to Bath with the little ones, for the Children’s Literature Festival or pick up a classical concert at one of the town and village venues of the Two Moors Festival in Dartmoor and Exmoor.
Winter
Get festive in Somerset by visiting a Christmas market. The Markets in Bath and Wells are given extra atmosphere by their Georgian backdrop. Wrap up and head out for a walk when the weather is cold and crisp. Watch out for the Bewick swans on the Somerset Levels, one of the UK’s most precious wetland areas. Or climb Glastonbury Tor for winter wonderland views of the Levels. Back at your big house, pile some logs on the wood burner and have a movie night in, or make a quick dash for the hot tub for some winter star gazing.
PLACES TO VISIT IN AND AROUND SOMERSET
Somerset offers something different every time you stay. Its seaside towns and villages deliver contrasting experiences; head to Weston Super Mare for big beaches and fun on the pier, and Dunster for olde worlde charm. Be a visitor to Porlock and watch the fast-changing tides in Watchet bay. Turn inland and discover the wide open spaces of Exmoor and the undulating landscape of the Quantock Hills. Visit the thatched cottage village of Selworthy and head to the Mendip Hills to walk the ancient, cobbled streets of Frome. In the Somerset Levels, watch the wildlife and explore the grade one listed church in Wedmore. Pick up the pace in Bath, make time for Wells and explore Chard, the highest town in Somerset. All this and you still have Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole to see, the Coleridge Way to walk, and Glastonbury to explore. This county is one you will return to again and again, so book your big house every year to enjoy its many treasures.
SPECIAL EXPERIENCES IN SOMERSET
DUNSTER CASTLE
Step back in time at this ancient castle, explore the subtropical gardens, visit the watermill and and enjoy dramatic views of Somerset and the coastline.
HESTERCOMBE GARDENS
Explore 50 acres of awe-inspiring Somerset gardens, that span three centuries of garden design, from the Georgian Landscape Garden to the Victorian Shrubbery and the Edwardian Formal Gardens.
CHEDDAR GORGE AND CAVES
Marvel at awe-inspiring cliffs and subterranean stalactite show caves, learn about our prehistoric ancestors, discover wildlife, and get climbing and caving.
BATH ROMAN BATHS
Visit the site of one of the great spas of the ancient world; walk on original Roman pavements, discover the ruins of the Temple of Sulis Minerva, and see the natural thermal springs, which still flow with hot water today.
SHEPPY’S HOUSE OF CIDER
Enjoy a peek behind the scenes at one of the world’s oldest cider makers. Visit the orchards, press house, vat house and Sheppy’s Rural Life Museum, then taste the golden nectar.
WOOKEY HOLE
Go underground and discover the ancient legends of the Wookey Hole Caves. Back above ground, enjoy adventure golf, soft play, a vintage penny arcade and a fascinating museum.
MONTECUTE HOUSE
Discover a dazzling example of Elizabethan Renaissance architecture, surrounded by gardens and parklands that are spectacular whatever the season of your visit.
BARRINGTON COURT
Experience a glimpse of old Somerset at this distinctive country estate. Walk through the grounds garden rooms, avenues, and orchards and learn about the history of the estate.
AMERICAN MUSEUM AND GARDENS
Discover America in the heart of Somerset. Visit the American museum, learn about American culture and history in the exhibitions, and wander through the American themed gardens.
THE JANE AUSTEN CENTRE
Step into the world of Jane Austen's life in Regency era Bath and discover how living in the beautiful city affected one of our most celebrated authors and her writing.
PUXTON PARK
Let the kids loose in the adventure area, on the miniature railway, in the indoor soft play area and on the water pursuits, then visit the animals and finish the afternoon with a meal in the restaurant.
FLEET AIR ARM MUSEUM
Visit Europe’s largest naval aviation museum, telling of over 100 years of history. See 90 aircraft, hear the stories of heroes, climb into a cockpit and step on board the Concorde prototype.
WELLS CATHEDRAL
Become part of a 1,000 year-old tradition of pilgrims visiting this ancient place of worship. Marvel at the the unique scissor arches and the fascinating astronomical clock.
THERMAE BATH SPA
Follow the example of the Romans by bathing in the thermal waters of Bath. Thermae Bath Spa is a luxurious spa with a rooftop pool, where you can enjoy views over the city.
WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY
Take a steam train through 22 miles of Somerset countryside to arrive in the seaside town of Minehead. Enjoy the views, learn about our railway heritage, and even learn to drive a steam train.
MENDIP ACTIVITY CENTRE
Time for an adventure! Choose from over 25 outdoor activities, including rock climbing, caving and Paddle Boarding. Then hit Somerset's only ski slope, for a great family day out.
CARY ALPAPACAS
For something completely different, take a walk through the Somerset countryside with friendly alpacas. Find out all about these fascinating creatures and even adopt one.
CLEEVE ABBEY
The Cistercian abbey of Cleeve is one of the finest cloister buildings in England. Feel the peace descend as you explore these ancient buildings and follow the virtual tour to learn about the daily life of the ancient monks.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SOMERSET
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How do I get to Somerset?
The M5 near Bristol connects Somerset to the motorway network if you are coming from the North or East. From London, take the M3/A303 past Stonehenge. By train, the main stations near to or in Somerset are Bristol, Bath and Taunton. It’s just over 2.5 hours from London by train. Bristol airport is the main airport serving Somerset.
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Does Somerset have a coastline?
Yes! Somerset has a lovely coastline that flanks the Bristol Channel at the western edge of the county. From the unsubtle but exciting delights of Weston Super Mare to the quieter and more contemplative harbour villages such as Watchet and Porlock, it’s old fashioned, but in the best possible way. The sandiest beaches are Weston, Brean Sands and Minehead, while the best beaches for wildlife and walks are Berrow Beach at Burnham on Sea and St. Audrie’s Bay. All along the coast, the tide goes out a long way, leaving shallow pools for exploring in Minehead and acres of squelchy mud in Weston Super Mare!
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Is Bristol in Somerset?
No, Bristol is not in Somerset but it’s perfectly understandable if you thought it was. In fact - and not many people know this - Bristol is its own county and has had county status since the 1300s. It’s best described as ‘the City and County of Bristol’. Most people think it is in Gloucestershire, Somerset or Avon. And it was once in Avon - for the 22 years that Avon existed as a county, up to 1996. Today it remains in splendid isolation, sandwiched between Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Now you know more than the average Bristolian.
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What are the main attractions in Somerset?
There’s plenty to see and do in Somerset. Some of the main attractions include Glastonbury Tor, which stands tall above the Somerset Levels and has an air of magic and mystery around it. The city of Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, world famous for its Roman baths, the Royal Crescent and Pulteney Bridge. Other attractions in Somerset include Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole, Exmoor with its famous wild ponies and Dunster village with its yarn market, castle and thatched cottages. Scroll up for many more suggestions.
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What are the Somerset Levels?
The Somerset Levels and Moors is an expanse of largely flat land which sits just above sea level. It runs from the Mendip Hills to the Blackdown Hills and from the coast, across to the eastern edge of the county. Once washed over by the sea tides, it was drained over the centuries and is now home to a dazzling array of rare wildlife and pretty villages. It also gives the county of Somerset its name. When the area was mostly underwater, it dried out enough in the summertime for farmers to graze their livestock on the pastures and so it became known as the ‘land of the summer people’. Today of course, you can visit all year round and enjoy it’s mystical qualities.
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Is Glastonbury in Somerset?
Glastonbury is in Somerset, in the heart of the Somerset Levels. The town, most famous for the Glastonbury Festival which takes place at Worthy Farm, is steeped in myth and history and worth a visit in its own right. Glastonbury Tor dominates the skyline, overlooking the Somerset Levels and it has a magical quality that attracts visitors all year round. Do the Glastonbury Festival in style by bringing friends and family to stay at one of our large houses to rent in Somerset. Penbridge House is just a few fields away from the festival.