Popular areas to buy a holiday home or second home in Somersets
Why buy in Somerset
The county of Somerset has much to offer in terms of second homes with easier access than other counties in the South West, as well as being home to a number of popular attractions such as The Fleet Air Arm Museum, Cheddar Gorge and Haynes Motor Museum.
Wells Cathedral, Glastonbury, the market towns of Taunton and Shepton Mallet, The Quantock Hills and the new £39 million pier at Weston-Super-Mare add a rich diversity of interest and enjoyment to the county.
Holiday Home Hotspots in Somerset
The seaside towns of Minehead, Burnham-on-Sea and Weston-Super-Mare sit on the Bristol Channel looking out towards the South Wales coast. Though there is a perception that these areas are shadows of former glories, redevelopment such as the self-titled ‘best pier in the world’ at Weston and Butlins investment in their holiday park at Minehead point to a more prosperous future.
Exmoor and the Quantock Hills offer escapism and unspoilt natural beauty, while further west the landscape flattens out as the M5 bisect the county and offers easy access to the numerous market towns and villages. Yeovil, Frome, Shepton Mallet, Wells and Taunton each have they own charms and appeal.
Buying a Holiday Home in Somerset
Best for beaches: Weston-Super-Mare has miles of sand, and hosts T4’s On The Beach, sand sculptures and extreme sports such as kite surfing.
Best for food and drink: Perhaps best known for it’s apples and cheddar cheese, Somerset is dotted with cider farm shops, local produce markets, and Exmoor Food Festival. Taunton is centrally located and large enough to offer a wide range of restaurants.
Best for active: The Quantock Hills to the west of Taunton offer horse riding, walking and cycling.
Best for peace and quiet: Head east to Frome, Castle Cary and Bruton, marketed as ‘TimeTravel’ by the tourism board.
Best for families: Weston-Super-Mare is a traditional family resort while Yeovil to the south is close to the seaside towns of East Devon and Dorset, as well some of Somerset’s most popular attractions in the Fleet Air Arm Museum and Haynes Motor Museum.
Travelling to Somerset.
The county is well connected from the M5 which bisects the count, as does national train services with Taunton as the central hub. Somerset does not have an airport, but is well served by Bristol to the north and Exeter to the south.
