Why we love glamping in Somerset

There's plenty to choose from when it comes to walks in Somerset, but the circular trail from Glastonbury Abbey to the top of the iconic Glastonbury Tor is one of the county's most popular. It’s challenging for a two-mile stretch, but worth it for the glorious views from the top. Cheddar Gorge, the largest gorge in England, tucked away in the Mendip Hills, is another hiking hotspot. It offers dramatic walls towering above and fantastic views over the Somerset countryside once you've climbed to the clifftops. For a gentler Sunday wander, take the woodland path around Blagdon Lake, one of Bristol’s main reservoirs. With panoramic views over the water and the surrounding countryside, it’s an easy - and very pretty - seven mile stroll.

The Tarr Steps and River Barle walk is a 2.3 mile loop trail near Dulverton that’s popular with hikers, walkers and bird watchers alike. Part way round, you’ll meet the iconic Tarr Steps clapper bridge. Made up of 17 large stone slabs, each weighing up to 2 tons, it’s a 3000-year-old thing of beauty and a must see for those glamping in Somerset. The county isn't all rivers and gorges though, with a lovely coastal route from Portishead to Clevedon meaning you can add a bit salty sea air to the scent of cheese and cider. It takes in beautiful bays and beaches, sandstone cliffs, and great views across the Severn Estuary into Wales. Inexperienced walkers glamping in Somerset will be grateful for the flat, easy path that finishes at the lovely Clevedon Pier.

We’ve never heard of it, but apparently the Mendips town of Glastonbury has been running a nice little music festival since the 70s, but even when neither that nor the equally reputable classical concert are on, the oldest town in England has many other attractions, including an atmospheric abbey that claims a place in Arthurian legend. It’s also a stone’s throw from Stonehenge and other sacred sites, making it the ideal base for glamping in Somerset. To the east, the town of Bruton is a creative mecca where arts and crafts flourish at local venues like the Hauser and Wirth Galleries. While Glastonbury is famed for its festival, Bruton is known for its 16th century dovecote, now managed by the National Trust, that houses over 200 pigeons. We’d recommend staying at one of our wonderful glamping spaces instead.

Being just down the road, we’re big fans of Cheddar, the village in the Mendip Hills best known for its dairy produce, but also worth a visit for the 400-foot high, three-mile-long limestone gorge. Work up an appetite exploring its weathered crags and pinnacles, before nipping into Cheddar village for a chunk of the strong stuff. One of the most vibrant Somerset towns, Frome is a must for creatives glamping in Somerset. Picked by the Times as one of the best places to live in Britain, the streets are packed with beautiful architecture, and the art scene draws people in from across the UK and beyond.

Vegetarians glamping in Somerset must make a beeline for OAK restaurant in Bath, with its ever changing seasonal menu. Dishes are organic, biodynamic, and cooked with low-intervention ingredients. Pop in for brunch, lunch, and dinner, or a delicious glass of local wine. Sheppy’s Cider has been the apple of Bradford-on-Tone’s eye since the family moved there in 1917, welcoming thousands of thirsty visitors over the years. Ciders are fermented using a traditional process and stored in oak vats which have been in the family for almost 100 years. You haven’t tried cider until you’ve supped a traditional Somerset cider in this lovely old brick building. Another local institution is The Ethicurean, blessed with a very special location with a backdrop of the Mendip Hills. Guests are invited to take a culinary journey, walking in the bountiful Victorian walled gardens, to feel connected and inspired by the natural world, before sitting down to a delicious meal in the cosy, intimate restaurant, served by a team that feel more like friends and family than waiting staff.

Bath is one of the most popular places to visit in Somerset and the obvious cultural and historic hub of the region, for its remarkable Roman baths. At the heart of the city, these perfectly preserved remains house a unique thermal spring, and still flow with natural hot water. A tour gives you a chance to explore the baths and pump room, walk on original Roman pavements, and gaze at the museum's amazing collection of artefacts, while a nearby modern version has a rooftop pool where you can soak with views of the city laid out below.

Heading south into the countryside puts you on a trail that pilgrims have followed for over 850 years, to the small but perfectly formed Wells Cathedral, with ornate and beautiful detailing like the wooden wishbone roofing beams. A behind-the-scenes guided tour makes a fascinating (and weatherproof) addition to your glamping in Somerset and lets walk in the ancient footsteps of the cathedral masons, discover hidden spaces and chambers, and marvel at the craftsmanship on display.

If you're going on towards the coast then the Hauser & Wirth gallery in Bruton, a pioneering arts centre, make a great stop, housing a remarkable range of innovative exhibitions throughout the year that might even be worth timing your glamping in Somerset to coincide with. If you're heading west however, then the Coleridge Cottage near Bridgewater is on your way. Home to romantic poet Samuel Tayler Coleridge from three years, from 1797, it's the place where he wrote many of his most famous works and the beautiful gardens are worth a wander.

Glamping in Somerset with Canopy & Stars

Glamping in Somerset with us is an eco-friendly way to immerse yourself in nature, without compromising on the creature comforts. Our unique locations and eclectic spaces for glamping in Somerset include everything from cosy shepherd’s huts and lakeside cabins set in peaceful woodland, to quirky yurts. To make your stay extra special, we also provide a range of memorable experiences, from guided foraging expeditions to track down your tea, to private yoga lessons, and evenings spent under the stars in your very own moonlit outdoor hot tub.

How do we choose our places?

At Canopy & Stars, a member of our team meets all of our accommodation providers in person and spends an overnight stay in all of our glamping spaces, to make sure they meet our high standards for being unique, memorable and taking you into nature. Whether you’re glamping in Somerset to reconnect with family, enjoy adventures with friends, or to cosy up to your nearest and dearest, we offer luxury accommodations set amidst some of the UK’s wildest locations and breathtaking scenery, from heathland and wild flower meadows, to mountains and national parks.

Expect only the most unusual and exciting spaces when choosing your accommodation for an unforgettable, eco-friendly holiday glamping in Somerset.

About Canopy & Stars

We are Canopy & Stars, a small, independent travel company devoted to making a positive impact on the planet and providing eco-friendly glamping holidays that are as superb as they are sustainable. We share our profits with both our employees, all of whom own a stake in the company, and with a charitable trust that we established to support climate change projects across the globe. Everyone in the Canopy & Stars family is treated fairly and kindly, from employees and accommodation owners, to you, our guests. We live by our values, making sustainable choices that project our planet and our people. Check out our about us page to find out more about our company, and the work we do.