8 of My Favourite Places to Stay in Somerset
Posted November 12, 2025Our Hidden Somerset guide to the best places to stay, from romantic glamping in orchards to family farmhouses and luxurious manors, each one full of Somerset charm.
Hidden Somerset Guide to Escapes, Getaways and Slow Days
If there’s one thing Somerset does well, it’s the art of escape.
From manor houses and cider orchards to off-grid cabins and creative glamping, the county offers a kind of magic that slows you down, feeds you well and connects you right back to the land.
Here are eight of my favourite stays, all different, all special, all deeply Somerset.
Cothelstone Manor, near Taunton
For: A Top-End Treat
There’s something quietly spectacular about Cothelstone Manor. A stay here feels less like booking a room and more like stepping into the pages of a storybook, a place where time slows, candles flicker, and every corner holds a whisper of history.
Set within its own parkland at the foot of the Quantock Hills, the manor offers sweeping views across Somerset’s rolling countryside. Inside, rooms are grand yet welcoming: soft light through tall windows, crackling fires, and portraits that have watched centuries drift by. Every detail, from the antique furniture to the breakfast served on fine china, feels considered and authentic.
It’s the kind of place made for long walks, long dinners and deep sleeps. Spend your days exploring the Quantock hills or nearby villages, and your evenings with a glass of something local by the fire. Refined, restful and deeply rooted in Somerset’s heritage, Cothelstone Manor is the very definition of quiet luxury.
The Cottage at Hillside Farm
Bower Hinton, near Martock
For: Couples’ Chill-Out
Tucked behind honey-coloured hamstone walls, The Cottage at Hillside Farm is a peaceful escape designed for slowing down. Run by Laura and Ed, this charming Air B&B is effortlessly elegant, all soft linens, fresh flowers, and a feeling of calm that greets you the moment you arrive.
Step outside and you’ll find orchard views, rambling gardens and the gentle hum of village life. It’s the sort of place where mornings start with coffee in the courtyard and afternoons drift by with a book or a lazy walk through nearby Martock and South Petherton’s market streets.
Inside, the cottage is light, warm and beautifully curated, every detail thought through, from the plush bedding to the thoughtful touches that make you instantly feel at home. Whether you’re escaping for a romantic weekend or simply craving a little stillness, Hillside Farm is Somerset at its most soothing.
Little Wishel, Low Ham
For: Nature Lovers & Bird Watchers
Tucked deep into the Somerset Levels, Little Wishel feels like a world apart, surrounded by wide skies, whispering reeds and the slow rhythm of rural life. It’s the kind of place where time softens; where you swap screens for binoculars and let the days unfold with the weather.
The cottage sits on the edge of open fields and wetlands, perfect for spotting herons, egrets and the graceful swoop of swans over the moor. As evening falls, the light melts into the horizon and the sky fills with colour, or, in winter, the astonishing murmurations of starlings rising in dark, fluid clouds.
Inside, everything feels calm and welcoming: soft throws, simple comforts and big windows framing the landscape. Step outside with your morning coffee and you’ll likely hear curlews calling across the fields, or catch sight of deer slipping through the mist.
Nearby lie some of Somerset’s finest nature reserves, RSPB Greylake, Westhay Moor, and Shapwick Heath all within easy reach for long walks and birdwatching adventures. After a day exploring, return to Little Wishel for peaceful evenings, a glass of something local, and the kind of stillness that’s increasingly rare.
The Barrington Boar, Barrington
For: Foodies
If great food is your love language, The Barrington Boar should be high on your list. This award-winning village inn is run by chef Alasdair Clifford and sommelier Victoria Collins, whose seasonal menus celebrate Somerset’s finest produce with thoughtful creativity, the kind of cooking that feels both refined and rooted in place.
And now, right next door, their Barrington Bakery brings another layer of goodness: the scent of sourdough, pastries and freshly baked loaves drifting through the village each morning. Together, they’ve created a destination for food lovers, where you can dine, stay, and wake to the smell of warm bread and coffee before another day exploring the Somerset countryside.
Yeabridge Farm Hideaway, near South Petherton
For: Family Summer Fun
Yeabridge is a glamping haven where kids can run wild, parents can truly relax, and everyone can gather around the campfire, or their very own private lake. Choose from four yurts, a converted Canadian bus, a safari tent, or a shepherd’s hut each with proper beds, hot showers and wide countryside views. There’s even an honesty shop stocked with local cider, eggs and treats for those late-night marshmallow toasts.
Come summer, it’s the kind of place that hums with laughter and lazy evenings, all outdoor games, starry skies and the simple joy of being outside together.
Yeabridge also offers whole-site bookings, ideal for away days, celebrations, stag and hen parties, or simply gathering everyone you love for a weekend of Somerset sunshine and adventure.
North Down Orchard, Haselbury Plucknett
For: Rustic, Cider-Induced Glamping
Few places capture the true spirit of Somerset quite like North Down Orchard. Rows of apple trees stretch out around you, heavy with fruit in late summer, the air rich with the scent of fermenting cider and wildflowers buzzing with bees. It’s the kind of stay that feels gloriously unpolished, rooted in the land and full of heart. Pitch up in one of their bell tents, set right among the trees, and wake to the soft rustle of leaves and the chatter of birds. Spend your days wandering the orchards, sampling their small-batch ciders or joining the much-loved Cider Fridays, when locals and visitors gather beneath the apple boughs to share stories, pizza and laughter as the sun dips behind the hills.
Evenings here are simple and perfect, fairy lights strung between trees, a fire crackling, and glasses raised under a Somerset sky. In the morning, stroll to nearby Haselbury Plucknett for breakfast, or take the short drive to Crewkerne for local produce and a good coffee before heading back to your peaceful cider-scented hideaway. Rustic, real and joyfully Somerset, North Down Orchard is everything we love about this county distilled into one place.
Higher Burrow Farm, Stembridge | Kingsbury Episcopi
For: Family Parties & Gatherings
Set in the heart of Somerset, Burrow Hill Farm is a beautifully restored country home with over 450 years of history, updated with luxury touches and plenty of space for a big, memorable weekend.
With seven bedrooms (sleeping 15–17), two hot tubs, a large garden, dual lounges, a dining table for 17, and high-spec kitchens, it’s built for gatherings. Located just a short stroll from a local cider farm and the village gastro-pub, you’ve got the best of country life plus celebratory convenience. Perfect for family reunions, milestone birthdays, big weekends with friends, you’ll leave with tired feet, full hearts and perhaps one or two new cider-fueled stories.
Oh, and very importantly dogs welcome – you will even see 3 straw Jack Russells featured on the roof!
Midelney Manor Iglu & Cabin, near Langport
For: Romantic Escapes
Hidden away in the trees beside the historic Midelney Manor, these two secluded stays, the Iglu and the A-Frame cabin feel like something from a dream. Designed with care and creativity, each cabin blends natural materials, soft lighting and woodland views to create the perfect Somerset hideaway.
You’ll wake to the sound of birdsong, sunlight filtering through leaves, and the smell of woodsmoke curling from the stove. Step outside and you’re surrounded by wildflower meadows, ancient trees and that deep countryside quiet that invites you to slow right down.
Both spaces are private and peaceful, made for couples who want to switch off from the world for a while. Spend your days exploring the winding lanes and rivers of the Somerset Levels, or simply wander the manor gardens, read in a hammock and watch the light shift through the trees.
As night falls, the stars appear in full Somerset splendour, the air still and clear, and the only sound the crackle of the fire. Romantic, rooted, and just the right side of wild Midelney Manor’s woodland cabins are pure escapism.
Courtfield, near Martock
For: Back-to-Nature, Off-Grid Living
Tucked in the heart of a small woodland in the countryside, Courtfield is simple, soulful and restorative.
No Wi-Fi, no rush, just the sound of the river, crackle of the fire, and the glow of lanterns after dark. Ideal for anyone craving space to think, read, or just breathe.
Either book their thatched mud round house, or their old grain store yurt with open kitchens and space to practice your fire cooking skills.
This really is one of South Somerset’s greatest hidden gems!
Why I Love Them
Each of these places is different, yet they share a thread, they’re deeply rooted in Somerset.
Run by people who love this landscape and want to share it, they remind us what hospitality really means: warmth, simplicity and a sense of belonging.
Wherever you stay, you’ll find a story waiting, in the walls, the fields, or the glass of cider handed to you as the sun dips behind the hills.