10 Somerset getaways
We’ve done the research so you don’t have to
Osip
Near Bruton
Lunch at Osip is an adventure in itself. At the helm, Merlin Labron-Johnson is a keen believer in the merits of Somerset’s rich bounty. Stepping into the 300-year- old country inn, the chef’s eye for beauty is everywhere: from the dreamy artworks by Sir Christopher Le Brun and wall hangings by Jordan Maxwell to the central open- plan kitchen with floor-to-ceiling windows. The food is otherworldly. During our visit, memorable dishes included Westcombe red gougère with fermented carrot Lardo and caramelised walnut, a colourful beetroot taco and a picture-perfect pistachio and nori macaron. Plus, you can spend the night in one of four effortlessly chic rooms at the top of the spiral staircase.
Price: From £240 Sleeps: 2
osiprestaurant.com
Bay House Studio
Near Bath
A magical woodland cabin moments from Batheaston. From here, hire paddle boards, take a picnic to Warleigh Weir or march up Solsbury Hill. Or enjoy the slow life; pick vegetables in the garden, cook over fire and lounge in the hot tub. Pilates, tarot reading and reflexology are also offered.
Price: From £250 Sleeps: 4
bayhousestudio.co.uk
Campwell Woods
Near Bath
Guests are encouraged to leave phones at the gate, so the tone is quickly set for
this woodland eco-village. The yurts, log cabins and cob roundhouses with living roofs and stargazing windows were all made by the owner. Inspired? Try one of his woodwork classes.
Price: From £300 Sleeps: 2-22
campwell.co.uk
The Space at Caro
Bruton
A stylish apartment in an 18th-century cottage in the centre of Bruton. Owner Natalie Jones has an eye for colour, so expect interior perfection along with prime location. Breakfast from At the Chapel is included, so fuel up on coffee and the best croissants and head out.
Price: From £180 Sleeps: 2
thespaceatcaro.com
The Scrumpling
Near Frome
Feeling like you’ve stumbled upon an opening in the forest, The Scrumpling – named after a small, skew-whiff apple – is a romantic, off-grid renovated caravan set among two acres of woodland. Inside, there’s a king-sized bed and a cosy main space to hunker down and play board games in. Outside is spacious with a small campfire and a pond teeming with wildlife. Head to Shepton Mallet for the Shepton Flea, a sprawling antiques fair, and popular Filipino restaurant Aurora Kusina. Or make a day of it in Glastonbury with brunch at Fara and a jaunt to the Tor. Alternatively, Frome is just around the corner. Go there for shopping and a glass of locally made perry at Rye Bakery wine bar.
Price: From £208 Sleeps: 2
thescrumpling.co.uk
Craftsman’s Cabin
Kingsbury Episcopi
Home to probably the most beautiful loo in Somerset if not the world (you’ll see), the Craftsman’s Cabin is deep in cider country, with Julian Temperley’s farm, Burrow Hill, just a skip away (and a must visit for the cider brandy). Almost everything in this cute cabin has been made by owner Decca Lang’s talented friends. See Frances Watts art, blankets by Gather wool and oak kitchen by outdoor woodworker Bertie Clark. Walk up to the top of Burrow Hill for a 360-degree view of the Somerset Levels, an easy (if steep) walk. Or head to nearby Langport, one of the smallest towns in England, for river walks, starling murmurations, independent shops and the delectable Kiln Café pottery.
Price: From £180 Sleeps: 4
craftsmanscabin.co.uk
42 Acres
Near Frome
With 42 acres of land, this quiet and verdant estate hosts rural retreats, bell tent camping and a variety of self-catering and full-board options (including sleeping in a narrowboat on the lake). The Library Barn is a lofty, sociable offering with huge sofas and a long kitchen table. Metres away, you’ll find a Secret Garden-esque wooden door to a fragrant and romantic walled garden, full of fat-headed dahlias and sweet-smelling herbs. There’s a serene tree-lined lake for paddleboarding, rowing and dawn and dusk dips. Look out for beavers, which first appeared here in 2016 and now inhabit the boathouse. If you don’t see any, you’ll be sure to see their handiwork in the surrounding woods.
Price: From £350 Sleeps: 2-11
42acres.com
East Quay
Watchet
The Somerset coast is rich with stories of pirates, shanties and ancient mariners. Sleep in one of five ply-clad pods overlooking the harbour at East Quay, the futuristic- looking art gallery, café, artist studio, paper mill, and educational hub. Kids will love the pod with its own cargo
net to scramble about on. This region has big geology; its beaches are vast, shadowed by rocks and waterfalls, home to Britain’s oldest ammonites. From the Visitor Centre, take the footpath to Helwell Bay for fossil hunting. And check out the near complete ichthyosaur skeleton at the Watchet Museum. West Street Beach is excellent for rockpooling and has a Victorian tidal pool. Head to the Quantock Hills for wild ponies and views.
Price: From £130 Sleeps: 2-4
eastquaywatchet.co.uk
