Horses, heights and history
Fill your lungs with crisp Somerset air, climb the ropes at Vivary Adventure Centre, take a horse over the Quantocks, or fly high in an Aerosaurus balloon. Head back into history at Wellington Monument or Cothay Manor or work on your handicap at Oake Manor Golf Club. Wrap the day up with a pint in The Globe.
Country kids
Beyond the blue horizon, though, lie pastures laden with further pleasures, not least the verdant sweep of the Quantocks or Blackdowns, ripe and ready to fill young lungs with healthy air, whether on foot, bike or horseback.
There’s a high time on offer at Vivary Adventure Centre, with high or low ropes and climbing walls. For indoor adventures head to Clip ’n’ Climb and experience The Southwest’s largest indoor climbing centre. There’s driving and rides at Diggerland, Quad biking at Quadworld, animals to see at Tropiquaria Wildlife Park and trails, ponds and streams to discover at Langford Nature Reserve.
Help yourself to more animal antics at Crealy Adventure Park, before enjoying the rides and attractions. At Wimbleball Lake, aquatic action includes, sailing, rowing, kayaking and windsurfing. For a slice of history there are exhibitions, collections and events at The Somerset Museum, or picnic at Taunton or Dunster Castle.
Head to Wiveliscombe’s traditional lido with sun deck, picnic and play area and catch some seasonal cricket or rugby at the recreation ground. There’s another action-athon in the offing on The Quantocks, where waymarked trails bring you to stone barbecues in the woods. Sizzle your sausages as you watch the children wear themselves out in the wide-open spaces.
For the grown ups
Trek the high and mighty hills of the Quantocks by bike, horse or Shanks’ pony. Stroll the wild open moorland, which to the North gives way to long views of the Welsh coastline. Or see it all from even higher in an Aerosaurus balloon. For peace and tranquility, The Oake Manor Golf Club provides PGA professional tuition and an undulating 18-hole course.
The wild green yonder figures highly here, with nature reserves at Langford Nature Reserve and Ash Common and more treks than you can shake a walker’s stick at. There are hunks of history too at the Wellington Monument, Cothay Manor and The Somerset Museum. Wander through Hestercombe Gardens, with its Lutyens and Jekyll landscaped and formal gardens, visit the art gallery then refresh with a delectable afternoon tea.
Stroll into the heart of the village for a pint of Exmoor at gastro pub The Globe and catch a live music session at Milverton Music Club. In nearby Wivlescombe, take a brewery tour at Cotleigh before darkness descends and you wind your way to The Bear Inn, or Duende for fresh Mediterranean food. Or take yourself off to Taunton for dining at The Castle Hotel, Augustus and The Willow Tree. A handful of wine bars and clubs cater for late-night shape-throwers.
