Glamping rental Somerset - 5 glampings

Where the Wild Moors Meet the Sea: Somerset Awaits

Nestled in the southwest corner of England, Somerset is a county that defies expectation. This is a land where ancient peat bogs hide 6,000-year-old wooden trackways, where half a million starlings dance across winter skies, and where the world's original cheddar cheese was born. For those seeking a glamping escape that combines rural tranquility with genuine discovery, Somerset delivers an experience unlike any other.

A Landscape Shaped by Time and Tide

Somerset stretches across 4,171 square kilometres of remarkably varied terrain. The county is bordered by the Bristol Channel to the northwest, with a 64-kilometre coastline that boasts the second largest tidal range in the world. At low and high tide, the difference can exceed 12 metres at Burnham-on-Sea, creating dramatic coastal scenery.

The geography divides into distinct zones, each with its own character:

• The Somerset Levels: A vast coastal plain and wetland covering approximately 160,000 acres. This ancient landscape was once regularly flooded, and many village names ending in "-ey" (meaning island) tell of life before the marshes were drained.
• The Mendip Hills: Limestone hills rising northeast of the Levels, designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty since 1972. These hills harbour Cheddar Gorge, Britain's largest gorge, and extensive cave systems.
• The Quantock Hills: England's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, designated in 1956. Heathland, oak woodlands, and ancient parklands cover 99 square kilometres.
• Exmoor: A National Park since 1954, where high Devonian sandstone moors meet the Bristol Channel. Dunkery Beacon, Somerset's highest point, reaches 519 metres.

The climate is temperate and mild, influenced by proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and prevailing westerly winds. Somerset is generally wetter and milder than much of England, making it ideal for year-round visits.

Why a Glamping Retreat in Somerset Makes Perfect Sense

Genuine Escape Without Compromise

Somerset remains delightfully uncrowded compared to neighbouring Cornwall or Devon. While tourists flock to more famous destinations, this county offers space to breathe. You can walk for miles across the Levels without passing another soul, yet remain within easy reach of charming market towns, excellent pubs, and world-class attractions.

Depth of Experience

This is not a county for ticking boxes. Somerset rewards those who slow down. A glamping break here means waking to birdsong on the Levels, taking spontaneous detours down single-track lanes to discover hidden cider farms, and ending days in centuries-old pubs that have changed little since your great-grandparents' time.

Accessibility

Somerset sits conveniently for visitors from across the UK and beyond. Bristol Airport provides international connections, while the M5 motorway offers straightforward access from London, the Midlands, and the North. The historic city of Bath is within the county boundaries, making it easy to combine rural glamping with urban exploration.

Year-Round Appeal

Unlike coastal destinations that quiet down in winter, Somerset transforms across the seasons. Spring brings wildflower meadows and lambing season. Summer offers long evenings in pub gardens and swimming in clear river pools. Autumn paints the ancient woodlands in gold. Winter brings one of nature's greatest spectacles: the starling murmurations that draw visitors from across the globe.

Somerset's Treasures: Beyond the Expected

The Somerset Levels and Their Ancient Secrets

The Somerset Levels are internationally recognised wetlands, designated as a Ramsar Site covering approximately 86,000 acres. This landscape contains 32 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and the biodiversity here is exceptional. But it is the human history that truly astounds.

Neolithic people built wooden trackways across these marshes nearly 6,000 years ago. The Sweet Track, built in 3807 BC, was discovered in 1970 and remains one of the oldest known engineered roadways in the world. A reconstruction in Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve allows visitors to walk the same route our ancestors took nearly six millennia ago. The Post Track, built 30 years earlier in 3838 BC, is the oldest trackway known from the UK. More than half of all prehistoric trackways found in England have been discovered in Somerset.

The Mystical Heart: Glastonbury

Glastonbury is far more than its famous festival. The town is one of the earliest Christian sites in England and a key place in pagan mythology and Roman history. Glastonbury Abbey, founded in the 7th century, was once one of England's wealthiest monasteries and is reputedly the burial place of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere.

Glastonbury Tor rises 158 metres above the largely flat Somerset Levels, topped with the remains of a 14th-century church tower. The climb rewards with 360-degree views across the county and, on clear days, to Wales, Wiltshire, and Dorset. Legend links this site to the mythical Isle of Avalon.

Wells: England's Smallest City

Wells Cathedral is the first completely Gothic building in England, with construction beginning in the 12th century. Unlike other churches from this period, it contains no traces of Norman Romanesque design. The Vicar's Close is remarkable as a planned residential street unaltered since the 1300s, while the 13th-century Bishop's Palace remains one of the finest ecclesiastical buildings in the country.

Cheddar: More Than Cheese

The village of Cheddar gave its name to the world's most popular cheese, first made here centuries ago. Cheddar Gorge is not only Britain's biggest gorge but also home to some of England's largest and oldest caves. Inside Gough's Cave, archaeologists discovered Cheddar Man, Britain's oldest complete human skeleton, dating back over 9,000 years.

Bath: A World Heritage City

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, Bath is the only place in Britain with natural hot springs. The Roman Baths are among the finest historic sites in Northern Europe. The city's Georgian architecture, including the Royal Crescent and Pulteney Bridge (one of only three bridges in the world lined with shops), creates one of England's most beautiful urban landscapes. Bath has also served as a filming location for Bridgerton, attracting fans of the popular series.

Five Unexpected Somerset Experiences

1. Witness the Winter Starling Murmurations

Between October and March, the skies above the Somerset Levels host one of the natural world's most breathtaking spectacles. Hundreds of thousands of starlings gather at dusk, performing mesmerising aerial displays before roosting in the reed beds. The RSPB Ham Wall Nature Reserve near Glastonbury is the prime viewing spot, where flocks can exceed 500,000 birds. The murmurations have been ranked among the top 10 natural wonders in the world. An automated starling hotline tells visitors where the birds have most recently been spotted.

2. Explore Traditional Cider Farms

Somerset has been famous for cider making for hundreds of years and remains one of the biggest cider counties in the UK. Skip the commercial tours and seek out working farms where cider is still made the traditional way. You can sample straight from wooden barrels, chat with the makers, and buy exceptional local cheese to accompany your purchase. One producer has been making traditional cider at their Mudgley farm for over a century, with cider fermented naturally in wooden barrels. These are authentic agricultural experiences, not polished tourist attractions.

3. Hunt for Fossils at Kilve Beach

Between Minehead and Bridgwater, this rugged beach offers incredible opportunities to discover prehistoric fossils. The area is part of the Jurassic Coast, with exposed rocks revealing ammonites and other ancient creatures. The coastal scenery is dramatic, and the beach remains relatively uncrowded compared to better-known fossil hunting locations.

4. Ride the West Somerset Railway

This heritage steam railway runs along the fringes of Exmoor and the Quantock Hills, offering stunning scenery and nostalgic travel. The route passes through idyllic countryside, with stops at charming villages. The Washford station houses the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust Museum, showcasing artefacts from the region's railway history.

5. Discover Traditional Willow Craft

The Somerset Levels offer the exact conditions to grow "basket willow," and this is the only area in the UK where it can be perfectly cultivated. Every aspect of the willow growing and basket making process is carried out by experienced growers and craftsmen. Visitor centres allow you to discover the history of this craft and see true craftsmanship at work.

Less-Obvious Highlights Worth Your Time

The Village of Allerford

Near the coast, Allerford is perhaps best known for its iconic medieval packhorse bridge spanning the gentle waters of the River Aller. One of the most photographed spots in Somerset, the village has preserved its heritage beautifully. Narrow streets lined with stone cottages and gardens bursting with colour create genuine charm without tourist crowds.

Nunney Castle

Tucked away near Frome, this picturesque 14th-century castle is surrounded by a tranquil moat. Built in the 1370s by a local knight who earned wealth from the Hundred Years War, the ruins provide a stunning backdrop for a peaceful afternoon away from more visited sites.

Frome's Independent Scene

The town of Frome has become a hub for independent shops, artisan goods, and creative businesses. St Catherine's Hill area is a treasure trove for those seeking unique items and supporting small businesses. The Frome Independent Market, held on the first Sunday of each month from March to December, draws visitors from across the region.

Hestercombe House and Gardens

Near Taunton, this estate features 300 years of garden design, including sublime French-style gardens with parterres and pergolas. It also houses a contemporary art gallery and award-winning visitor facilities.

The Avalon Marshes

This landscape partnership area encompasses several nature reserves including Ham Wall and Shapwick Heath. Beyond the starling murmurations, these wetlands support bitterns, marsh harriers, cranes (Europe's tallest birds have returned to breed here), otters, water voles, and kingfishers. The reserves were created from old peat workings and now form a mature, thriving wetland ecosystem.

Practical Information for Your Somerset Glamping Break

Getting Around

A car provides the most flexibility for exploring Somerset, particularly for reaching rural attractions and hidden villages. However, some areas can be explored by bus, train, and on foot. Many places, including National Trust properties, can be visited without a car if you plan carefully.

Local Food and Drink

Somerset offers an abundance of quality local produce. Cheddar cheese remains the star, but the county also produces exceptional cider, ale, fruit juices, and fresh vegetables. Farm shops and local delis abound, and traditional country shows throughout the year celebrate this agricultural heritage. The Royal Bath and West Show is among the most prestigious.

When to Visit

Somerset rewards visitors year-round. Late autumn and winter (October to March) offer the starling murmurations. Spring brings lambing and wildflowers. Summer means long days, swimming spots, and outdoor festivals. Autumn transforms the ancient woodlands into glorious colour.

What to Pack

Waterproof layers are essential given Somerset's mild but often damp climate. Walking boots will open up the county's footpaths and nature reserves. Binoculars enhance wildlife watching, particularly on the Levels. And bring an appetite for local cider and cheese.

A County That Stays With You

Somerset has a quality that many places in England have lost: it remains genuinely itself. There are no theme parks styled to look historic, no attractions designed by marketing committees. Instead, you find real working farms, authentic medieval villages, and landscapes that have changed remarkably little in centuries.

Book a glamping stay in Somerset and discover a county where King Alfred once hid from the Vikings, where cheese has been made for centuries using the same methods, where ancient trackways connect us to Neolithic ancestors, and where half a million starlings still paint the winter sky in swirling patterns that no algorithm could replicate.

This is England at its most unexpected and rewarding.