West Somerset is a local government district of the English county of Somerset, which is to be found in the south-west of the country. The mainly rural region is especially popular amongst holidaymakers looking for a get-away-from-it-all type of holiday, whilst soaking up the glorious countryside and rugged coastline which is so synonymous with the Westcountry. Visitors looking to spend their holidays in West Somerset will find that there is a wonderfully diverse choice of self catering accommodation available for holiday rental. There are quaint cottages and farmhouses, as well as apartments and townhouses with spectacular sea views in the region’s coastal towns and villages.
Perhaps the biggest draw for visitors looking to spend their holidays in West Somerset are its wide open spaces. The Exmoor National Park, which was designated in 1954, covers a large area of West Somerset and is popular amongst those wishing to explore its stunning, unspoilt landscape on foot, bicycle or horseback. The region also boasts the Quantock Hills, which became the first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK in 1956. The dramatic coastline of West Somerset is also just waiting to be discovered, with its quaint old fishing ports, such as Watchet and Porlock, as well as the seaside resorts of Minehead and Blue Anchor Bay.
As well as having such spectacular scenery, visitors spending their holidays in West Somerset will discover that the region also boasts a wonderful array of architecturally and historically fascinating buildings and landmarks. The Grade 1 listed Culbone Church, which dates back to pre-Norman times, is one of the smallest in England. Dunster Castle, Nettlecombe Court and Orchard Wyndham are other popular tourist draws for visitors spending their holidays in West Somerset. Minehead, the largest town in the region, boasts the largest range of tourist amenities in West Somerset, with its wonderful choice of shops and boutiques and long stretch of sandy beach.
Visitors looking to spend their holidays in West Somerset will find that the region has a typically English, mild temperate climate. Summer temperatures average between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius, whilst in the winter the temperatures tend to drop to between 8 and 12 degrees Celsius, although this can frequently drop below 0 degrees Celsius on the higher ground of Exmoor and the Quantock Hills. West Somerset receives an average annual rainfall of around 28 inches, which may fall as snow on Exmoor in the winter months.
Visitors looking to spend their holidays in West Somerset will find that the A39 provides access to most of the region from the M5 motorway. The M5 (from the Midlands) in turn allows drivers a quick and direct connection to the M4, for those visitors travelling from London, the South-East and Wales, as well as the M6, for the north of England. The nearest international airport, Bristol (BRS) provides regular flights to a number of national and international destinations.
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