Village Cottage Holidays in The Quantock Hills

The Quantock Hills is a delightful area for a week’s holiday or a weekend break. It lies within easy reach of the West Somerset Coast and has a steam heritage railway running through the valley that separates The Quantocks from the neighbouring Brendon Hills.

In addition to their attractiveness, the small and sleepy villages nestling in the lee of The Quantock Hills have much In common; most tend to have ancient churches all worthy of exploration, an old Manor House and a pub boasting a good restaurant menu (although sadly, West Bagborough lost its hostelry at the end of 2022). Most have excellent pubs and ancient churches that beg further investigation and bucketfuls of thatched cottages. It is hoped that it will reopen one day soon. The Quantock Hills have long been associated with Wordsworth and Coleridge, who lived there for some years. These venerated poets probably drank in most village pubs, so feel free to follow in their footsteps. It is also a wonderful walking country, exploring the heathland at the very top of the hills. Take time to discover the little Somerset villages that are a delight to talk around.

Click on the link in the village name to find holiday cottages, or to view all properties within the Quantocks, click here.

Photo: A West Somerset Railway engine arrives at Crowcombe Station on the West Somerset Railway

Bicknoller

Bicknoller not only possesses a fine thatched pub (dog-friendly and church) but also has a village shop on Honey Row Lane> Sit outside in summer to enjoy tea and cakes purchased from within while you admire the views.

Combe Florey

The Church of St Peter and St Paul is another must-visit location for historic church lovers. However, literary lovers may also wish to find the grave of the novelist Evelyn Waugh.

Crowcombe

Crowcombe is a pretty little village worthy of a slow stroll to admire its old cottages. Historic church lovers will find plenty to observe at the Church of the Holy Ghost; seek sustenance at The Carew Arms – the village pub with an excellent restaurant.

Photo: The sleepy main street through the village on Crowcombe.

Kilve Beach

Location: On the Somerset coast between Minehead and Bridgwater.

If you thought Lyme Regis had a monopoly on fossil-rich beaches, think again. Dog-friendly Kilve Beach is classic ammoniate territory. The beach is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, so the removal of fossils is prohibited: Look and leave! The rockpools are pretty good too.

When you’re done with the beach, search for the ruins of Chantry Manor and the more gruesome-sounding Dead Woman’s Ditch - an ancient earthwork – and discover the reason behind the name. By now, you’ll be feeling peckish, so for refreshment at the Chantry Tea Gardens in Sea Lane.

Facilities:

• Pay and Display car park: Be warned – the fines are pretty steep, and the operators appear unforgiving if you don’t play (and pay) precisely by the rules (2020-21).
• Picnic area

Stogumber

This little village that lies on the boundary between The Quantocks and The Brendon Hills is a picturesque stop on the West Somerset Railway. The Beatles used the station as a location for their film, ‘A Hard Day's Night.’ The village’s High Street, which leads up to the church and pub (The White Horse Inn), is lined with colour-washed, mainly thatched cottages and is popular with photographers.

Photo: The rugged beach at Kilve

Watchet

This list is a quaint small port that never ceases to delight visitors. Coleridge wrote the Ancient Mariner on the Harbour on the harbour front, which also houses Watchet’s cultural quarter - a handful of shipping containers converted into arts and crafts gallery spaces. Other places to visit include its museum and a range of tea rooms and restaurants. It’s also another stop on the West Somerset Railway.

Triscombe

Triscombe is a small village with perhaps one of the best access points to the wilder parts of the Quantocks; large stretches of heathland offer panoramic views and ancient woodland to explore. Triscombe is the best starting point for a walk up to Wills Neck, the highest point of The Quantocks, and with the option of a much-needed drink at the Blue Ball Inn en route. See if you can spot the Bronze Age stone where you should make a wish. From the top, on a clear day, wide-ranging views extend to Exmoor and across the Bristol Channel to the Brecon Beacons.

Photo: Low tide at Watchet Harbour.

West Bagborough

Another one of the picturesque clutch of small villages is the Quantock Hills, with an ancient church and Manor House. West Bagborough nestles beneath Lydeard Hill, where. Walk to the top and be rewarded with a magnificent view across the Vale of Taunton Deane. The village also boasts an attractive playing field and cricket pitch – a good place to picnic while the kids get to play.

Williton

The bustling, vibrant village of Williton is located between the Quantocks and the Somerset coast. It’s the largest population centre and is the main location for supplies whenever your holiday cottage kitchen needs topping up.

Photo: West Bagborough village street

Coast walk

 Kilve Beach to East Quantoxhead (and back. 3 miles. A gently undulating walk along the South West Coast Path.

Scenic Drive

Cross from one side of The Quantocks to the other, driving from Nether Stowey to Crowcombe. It is particularly beautiful at the changing of the seasons in Spring and Autumn.

View All Our Holiday Cottages in The Quantocks

Please view our complete list of Quantock holiday homes, from thatched cottages to converted railway carriages together with. other equally lovely cottages in the neighbouring Brendon Hills.

Photo credit: The Railway Carriage near Williton at Lavender Hill Holidays.