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| Recommended itineraries: 7 nights
- Discover Somerset |
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| Day
1 |
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| Arrival
day |
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Depending
on when you arrive and where, we will collect
you and transfer you to your hotel or guest
house. We give you time to rest and settle
in before meeting you again, when we will
talk about the programme ahead. Join us
for a complimentary drink and meet some
of our local people. A meal will be booked
at a local pub/restaurant. |
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| Day 2 |
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| Cheddar,
Mendip and Wells |
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In the morning
we visit Cheddar, home of Britain’s
spectacular largest Gorge and world famous
cheese. You can visit the caves, just take
in the scenery, or visit any of a multitude
of cheese and gift shops, and cafés.
We then travel over the Mendip Hills, stopping
off at the village pub for refreshments
at lunchtime. In the afternoon we go to
Wells, England’s smallest city, and
visit its beautiful cathedral. We return
home via an area called the Somerset levels,
world renowned for its wildlife, and another
side of Somerset’s countryside which
we would like you to see. |
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| Day
3 |
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| Ancient
City of Bath |
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This unique
city with its Roman Baths, hot springs,
and Georgian stone crescents, has attracted
visitors for centuries and is a world heritage
site. You can explore this compact city
by foot or by bus. You can take in a guided
tour as well as visiting an array of interesting
shops in its quaint narrow streets and lanes.
Bath is a beautiful and unforgettable place
to visit set in the rolling Somerset countryside.
The return journey is via the stunning “Lakes”
region. As an alternative, we can arrange
to stay in Bath for the evening for a visit
to the theatre, a music venue, or a city
restaurant. |
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| Day 4 |
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| Cider,
Ale and Cheese Trail |
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Somerset
is famous for its cider and apple drinks,
its ale, and for its cheese. We go off the
beaten track in search of some of Somerset’s
finest ale houses and cider farms. Free
cider and cheese tasting. They have a funny
way of speaking English in these parts,
so if you need an interpreter we are to
hand. A true Somerset experience. |
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| Day
5 |
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| Bristol |
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We travel
over the world famous Clifton Suspension
Bridge, designed by the great Victorian
engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, which
spans the splendid Avon Gorge. We also look
over Brunel’s steam ship, the SS Great
Britain. Built in Victorian times, and surviving
today, it was the world’s first iron-hulled,
screw propeller driven, steam powered ocean
passenger liner. Brunel was undoubtedly
a busy man. We then leave you to explore
the centre of Bristol, a vibrant city which
successfully mixes the ancient with the
new. There is plenty to see and do. Perhaps
visit St Nicholas Market established in
1743, or At-Bristol, a unique state-of-the-art
visitor attraction bringing science, nature
and art to life, or just take it easy and
watch from your seat outside an elegant
bar or café. To round off the day,
we can arrange an evening theatre visit,
music venue, or dinner at a restaurant.
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| Day 6 |
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| Montacute
House and Glastonbury |
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Montacute
House is a magnificent 16th Century Elizabethan
mansion, and one of the best preserved in
Britain. The interior is as impressive as
the exterior and has many Renaissance features
including decorated ceilings, ornate fireplaces,
wood panelling and heraldic glass. There
is a fine collection of 17th and 18th century
furniture and the house is noted for its
tapestries. The National Portrait Gallery
has provided a permanent loan of paintings
from the Elizabethan and Jacobean period
and these are displayed in the Long Gallery
and adjoining rooms. Outside is a formal
garden with old roses and mixed borders
and a landscaped park.
Later, we take you to Glastonbury, a Somerset
rural town associated with the legendary
English King Arthur, who was born out of
wedlock and raised by the wizard Merlin.
When he was only a boy, after many men had
tried and failed, Arthur gained the throne
by withdrawing the magic sword Excalibur
from a stone. Glastonbury is also reputed
to have had the oldest Christian Church
in England and has a long history as a place
of pilgrimage. In more recent times it has
attracted 'pilgrims' from many faiths and
beliefs and remains a spiritual centre to
this day. |
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| Day
7 |
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| Steam
Train to Dunster and Exmoor National Park |
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We take you
to Bishops Lydeard in West Somerset where
you will board the West Somerset Railway.
Recapturing the era of the branch line country
railway in the days of steam, you will enjoy
nearly 20 miles of glorious Somerset scenery
as the train gently rolls back the years
on its journey beside the Quantock Hills
to the Bristol Channel coast. Just sit back
in your seat and watch the steam and the
countryside drift past the window. The train
will take you to Dunster, one of the prettiest
villages in England, on the edge of Exmoor,
with its medieval buildings, castle and
castle gardens. After lunch we take you
into the heart of the Exmoor National Park,
designated an area of outstanding natural
beauty, where you will travel through a
variety of beautiful landscapes and pretty
villages, with extensive views of the North
Somerset Coast and Wales. We stop at Tarr
Steps, a prehistoric bridge over the river
Barle dating back to 1000 BC, where some
of the stones weigh 5 tons and were said
to have been placed there by the Devil to
win a bet. |
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| Day 8 |
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| Departure
day |
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This could
be going home day for you, if you haven’t
booked a longer stay. It will be time for
goodbyes to newly made friends. Warning!-
You may be returning home with a newly acquired
Somerset dialect or a taste for our cider.
We hope you liked Somerset and will want
to return. We take you to the airport or
train station for return journey. |
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Please note:
Daily departure times vary. Where evening itineraries
have been included, generally the mornings will
be left free. |
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Contact
us for a quote today.
Our prices are competitive and great value.
(Costs vary according to the numbers in your
party and your time of visit.) |
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Contact us
for a quote today. Our prices are competitive and great value.
(Costs
vary according to the numbers in your party and your time
of visit.) |
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4 Nights
Somerset Highlights |
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Day 1 |
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Arrival Day |
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Day 2 |
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Cider, Ale & Cheese |
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Day 3 |
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Ancient City of Bath |
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Day 4 |
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Montacute House & Glastonbury |
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Day 5 |
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Departure day |
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4 Nights
Activity Plus |
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Day 1 |
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Arrival Day |
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Day 2 |
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Cider, Ale & Cheese |
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Day 3 |
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Ancient City of Bath |
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Day 4 |
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Activity of your choice e.g. walking,
golf, fishing,
etc. |
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Day 5 |
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Departure day |
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4 Nights
Events Plus |
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Day 1 |
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Arrival Day |
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Day 2 |
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Cider, Ale & Cheese |
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Day 3 |
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Ancient City of Bath |
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Day 4 |
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Choose an event from our diary |
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Day 5 |
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Departure day |
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