Towns to visit in Bath and North East Somerset include:
Bath
Bath’s holiday cottage, townhouses, flats and apartments attract visitors worldwide, offering a vibrant mix of culture, history, shopping, and dining. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its well-preserved Roman baths, stunning Georgian architecture, and the iconic Bath Abbey. Visitors can explore the Roman Baths, soak in the natural thermal waters at Thermae Bath Spa, visit the Jane Austen Centre, and wander through the charming streets lined with boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. The rich mix of jewellers, boutiques, arts and crafts shops makes it a retail paradise, especially for Christmas shoppers.
While Bath is perhaps the largest jewel in the County’s crown, its other towns and villages offer an equally delightful experience to visitors happy to venture forth into its green and rolling countryside.
Towns to visit include:
Bath
Bath’s holiday cottage, townhouses, flats and apartments attract visitors worldwide, offering a vibrant mix of culture, history, shopping, and dining. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its well-preserved Roman baths, stunning Georgian architecture, and the iconic Bath Abbey. Visitors can explore the Roman Baths, soak in the natural thermal waters at Thermae Bath Spa, visit the Jane Austen Centre, and wander through the charming streets lined with boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. The rich mix of jewellers, boutiques, arts and crafts shops makes it a retail paradise, especially for Christmas shoppers.
While Bath is perhaps the largest jewel in the County’s crown, its other towns and villages offer an equally delightful experience to visitors happy to venture forth into its green and rolling countryside.
Towns to visit include:
Keynsham
Located between Bath and Bristol, Keynsham is a market town with a rich history. It has a charming High Street, a medieval Augustinian abbey, and beautiful parks. Keynsham also hosts a popular music festival each year.
Midsomer Norton
One of two principal towns in the old Somerset Coalfield. Situated south of Bath, Midsomer Norton is a market town known for its mining heritage. You can still visit the Writhlington Colliery’s old engine house or, if you fancy a stroll, enjoy a gentle ramble along the preserved sections of the Somerset Coal Canal. The /colliers Way is a 23-mile foot and cycle path along the old Somerset and Dorset Railway track bed.
Radstock
Radstock, North Somerset’s second town with a mining history (the last pit closed in the 1970s), is located in the north-eastern part of the region. The town is home to the Radstock Museum, which exhibits artefacts and displays related to the local mining industry. Walk the Radstock to Kilmerston Trail, a scenic route on the former Somerset and Dorset Railway trackbed.
Peasedown-St John
Situated to the south-west of Bath, Peasedown
-St John is a large village that has expanded over the years. It offers amenities such as shops, pubs (The Wagon and Horses and the Red Post Inn), and a community centre.
Many more holiday cottages in Bath and North East Somerset are scattered amongst picturesque villages that offer visitors a charming and idyllic experience. Some may look strangely familiar to visitors because they are frequently used as film and TV locations for period dramas. These villages allow visitors to step back in time, admire traditional architecture, and enjoy the serene countryside. Each village has its own unique charm, providing a delightful experience for those seeking an escape from the city and a taste of rural English life.
Castle Combe
Often called the “prettiest village in England,” Castle Combe is a postcard-perfect village with honey-coloured stone cottages, a picturesque market cross, and a tranquil stream running through the village. Its enchanting streets and quaint atmosphere make it a popular destination for visitors.
Lacock
Known for its well-preserved medieval architecture, Lacock is a village frozen in time. It boasts picturesque streets lined with timber-framed houses, a medieval abbey, and charming tearooms, including King Johns Lodge and the Laycock Abbey tea room. The village's historical significance has made it a popular filming location for period dramas and movies.
Freshford
Nestled in the Avon Valley, Freshford is a quintessential English village with thatched-roof cottages, a medieval church, and a lovely stone bridge spanning the River Frome. Visitors can enjoy riverside walks, explore the local pub, The Inn at Freshford, which has an excellent lunch and dinner menu and soak in the peaceful ambience of this quaint, honeystone-coloured village.
Chew Magna
Located south of Bristol in the beautiful South East Somerset countryside, Chew Magna, which earns itself a mention in The Domesday Book, is a picturesque village on the River Chew which is crossed by two Medieval bridges. It features an attractive village square, a medieval church, and a range of traditional stone-built houses.
Compton Dando
Tucked away in the countryside, Compton Dando is a tranquil village characterized by its thatched-roof cottages and scenic rural setting. Visitors can enjoy leisurely walks along the footpaths that crisscross the surrounding fields and enjoy the village's timeless beauty.
Stanton Drew
Famous for its prehistoric stone circles, Stanton Drew is a village with a rich history and a beautiful rural backdrop. Visitors can explore the ancient stone circles, now in the care of English Heritage, stroll through the picturesque village, and enjoy the peaceful countryside atmosphere. The Druids Arms is a good place to stop for lunch. It uses locally sourced ingredients and is right next to the Stone Circles.
