England’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty offers scenic walks, fossil hunting and, as you’re never more than 1.7 miles from a pub, pints aplenty
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Why go now?
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of Somerset’s Quantock Hills being designated England’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), there are events at Halsway Manor, including wildlife walks, cider tasting and ceilidhs (27-30 June). The little-known region is a 12-mile ridge between Bridgwater, Taunton and Minehead, made up of ancient oak combes, open heathland hilltops and rugged coastline.
What else is there to do?
Fabulous walks among the red deer and wild ponies, foraging for whortleberries, including part of the Coleridge Way and a hike over a secret volcano. Visits to the wild gardens at Fyne Court (the house itself burned down in 1894) and Coleridge’s Cottage at Nether Stowey. Fossil-hunting on Kilve beach, the Bristol Channel’s Jurassic coast. There are several mountain bike routes on bridleways taking in the combes. And there’s the longest heritage railway in England, the West Somerset.
Anywhere good to eat?
Clavelshay Barn in North Petherton serves seasonal British food such as hake with jersey royals, brown shrimps and samphire. Tea rooms serving Somerset cream teas abound – Chantry Tea Gardens at Kilve has a picturesque setting among the ruins of a medieval chapel.
How about a drink?
According to the Quantock Hills AONB website, you are never more than 1.7 miles away from a pub (although the whole area is only 12 miles by 4…). One of the best is the Carew Arms in Crowcombe, an old village pub with a flagstone-floored front bar serving local beers. The Farmers Arms in Combe Florey, just outside the AONB, is a thatched pub with up to seven real ales and ciders, plus craft beer.
Anywhere to stay for under £100?
This is glamping country: choose from Somerset Yurts; Secret Valley’s shepherds’ huts and wooden wigwams; Moorhouse Campsite’s cabin pods; Huntstile Farm’s gypsy caravan and tipi; and the Quantock Vintage Caravan. Failing that, the recently refurbished Bower Inn in nearby Bridgwater has doubles from £99.
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