West Somerset Steam Railway offers a great family day out through 20 miles of glorious Somerset coast and countryside between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead, taking a step back in time enjoying views of the Quantock Hills, Exmoor National Park and the West Somerset coastline. There are regular steam trains from Watchet to Dunster and Minehead.

https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk

 

Watchet Boat Museum holds a collection of old Flatner boats. These flat bottomed boats had no keel and were used for a wide variety of purposes around the Bristol Channel. The museum is open most days throughout the summer with free admission.

 

Watchet Market House Museum leads you through the fascinating history of this historic small trading port and is open most days with free admission http://www.watchetmuseum.co.uk/

 

Tropiquaria Zoo is home to a wide variety of exotic animals as well as offering an adventure playground, puppet theatre and a picnic area. Open from 10:00 to 18:00 in the summer. https://www.tropiquaria.co.uk/index.html

 

Dunster Castle from Saxon stronghold to comfortable family house, you can trace over 1,000 years of history at Dunster Castle and gardens. The scenery is spectacular, with sweepings views of Exmoor and the Bristol Channel, and the grounds houses a beautiful 18th century working watermill.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunster-castle

 

Cleeve Abbey is now part of English Heritage; it includes a medieval painted chamber, magnificent timber ceiling, and superb floor tiles, as well as the most complete cloister building in England. From the A39 go to Washford, Cleeve Abbey is approximately half a mile south and is signposted. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/cleeve-abbey/

 

Fossils Hunting is possible at two key locations near Watchet. Hellwell Bay, just east of Watchet Marina, beyond Splash Point and West Street Beach just west of the town. Where you can often be find Ammonites, Bi Valves and "Devils Toe Nails" along with rock samples of quartz and alabaster. Please take care of tide times as these beaches flood at high tide. http://www.watchet.ukfossils.co.uk/

 

Torre Cider Farm a really lovely afternoon, playing on old tractors and children’s play equipment, feeding pigs, piglets, chickens and ducks, having a cream tea and visiting a well stocked farm shop, head down to Torre Cider Farm in Washford. They also offer free cider and apple juice tasting! www.torrecider.co.uk

 

Doniford Farm has plenty of friendly farm animals to meet and a tea room/coffee shop, with a farm shop. Open daily with FREE entry http://www.donifordfarm.co.uk/

 

Sea Fishing Trips with all equipment provided are available on two licensed boats from Watchet Marina with Scooby Do skippered by Steve Yeandle http://www.scoobydootoo.co.uk/ and Seafire skippered by Shaun Anning http://www.seafirefishing.co.uk/

 

Tarr Steps voted the best picnic spot in Britain and Ireland by the Sunday Times, Tarr Steps is a must visit area for walks, wild swims and cream teas. For more information, visit: www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/enjoying/tarr-steps

 

Nether Storey

Coleridge Cottage is the 17th-century cottage was home to Coleridge for three years, from 1797. It was during his time here in Somerset that Coleridge wrote his finest works, including The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Kubla Khan, Frost at Midnight. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/coleridge-cottage/

 

Dunster

The medieval village of Dunster is in Somerset within the Exmoor National Park. With its magnificent Castle managed by the National Trust, Yarn Market, Tithe Barn, working Mill and a wealth of over 200 listed buildings; Dunster is a favorite destination for a day out with a wide selection of shops, café’s and restaurants.

 

Minehead

Minehead is where Exmoor meets the sea. Sitting on the very edge of the National Park, Minehead offers traditional seaside fun, with its promenade and long, sandy beach, and pebble beach near the harbor.  It offers a large selection of shops, café’s and restaurants.

 

Selworthy Green

Blessed with a wealth of superb thatched cottages and a beautiful old church, Selworthy Green is the very epitome of an English country village. It occupies a magnificent setting in the Exmoor National Park and is but a short distance south from Minehead and managed by the National Trust. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holnicote-estate/

 

Porlock

Porlock is a traditional Exmoor Village with a long history of settlements existing on or near the site of the existing village, with stone-age remains only a short distance away. It is also a working village with shops supplying all that you need, to be found in the High Street.

 

Festivals and Events

 

Watchet Carnival takes place at the end of July each year and provides a day of activity in around the town, http://www.watchetcarnival.co.uk

 

Watchet Festival is a family friendly music festival with amazing views of the stunning West Somerset coast line and beyond. Complete with on site camping, 3 Stages, Over 50 live acts, bringing a wide range of high caliber musical acts not normally found performing in West Somerset at an affordable entrance price and held in August each year. http://www.watchetfestival.co.uk

 

Walking and Rambling

 

The Watchet to Washford Trail is a nice stroll along a dedicated public footpath which follows the route of the Old Mineral Line, and is approximately 2 miles (3.5 km) long. The route is flat, level, and stile free. http://www.westsomersetmineralrailway.org.uk

 

West Somerset Coastal Path offers stunning views as you walk along the coast line to Blue Anchor (3.3 miles), Dunster (4.9 Miles) and then Minehead (7.8 Miles), with the option of catching the train from one of the West

Somerset Railway stations for the return journey to Watchet. http://www.westcountrywalks.com/stoppress/wscp/wscp-01.php

 

The Coleridge Way is 36 miles long reaching from Nether Stowey, one time home of poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, to Porlock. http://www.coleridgeway.co.uk

 

Quantock Hills can offer a surprising variety of secenery in such a small area, from farmland to shady combes and the open heathland of the ridge. The Ordnance Survey map covering the Quantocks is:Quantock Hills and Bridgwater (OS Explorer Map) no. 140 Sporting activities

 

You may wish to relax while at Watchet Cottage, or perhaps find time to try something new.

 

Minehead and West Somerset Golf Course is one of the oldest clubs in the South West, founded in 1882, Minehead is justly proud of its traditional links course. At 6153 yards, the 71 par represents a good test for the scratch golfer as well as the novice. http://www.mineheadgolf.co.uk/

 

Quantock Trekking is perfectly positioned on the southern slopes of the Quantock Hills. They offer fully equipment and your ride will be accompanied local guides, each with an extensive knowledge of the Quantocks and able to accommodate complete novices through to experienced riders. http://www.quantocktrekking.co.uk/

 

Ride the Quantocks offer Mountain Biking Professional guiding in and around the Quantock Hills http://www.ridethequantocks.co.uk with Bike hire available from Pompy’s Cycles in Minehaed http://www.pompyscycles.co.uk/