20 Attractions to Explore Near National Trust - Coleridge Cottage

The Quantock Hills are an area of wilderness and tranquillity, which offers Panoramic views lead you through coast, heath and combe. The hills run from the Vale of Taunton Deane in the south, for about 15 miles to the north-west, ending at Kilve and West Quantoxhead on the coast of the Bristol Channel. They form the western border of Sedgemoor and the Somerset Levels.

Kilve Beach near Watchet is a fascinating stretch of the Jurrasic coast. Grand limestone cliffs back the slate and shingle beach, with interesting rock formations sweeping the shoreline. The rock and pebble beach is a beloved location for families and children due its scenic views, large grass area ideal for picnics and the nearby Chantry Tea Gardens.

The Walled Gardens lie within the grounds of a medieval Priory. The gardens have classic and contemporary features such as the herbaceous border, the blue garden and a sub-tropical walk amongst others. There is also a botanical glasshouse where arid, sub-tropical and tropical plants can be seen. It also includes a newly installed aquaponics system. It's a plant lover's paradise.

WWT Steart Marshes is a wild, wetland landscape for the future that helps people and wildlife adapt to climate change. It provides flood defence for local homes and businesses, showcases productive farmland and is home to a thriving nature reserve. The project proves we can fight climate change by working with nature.

Fyne Court is a National Trust-owned nature reserve and visitor centre in Broomfield, Somerset, England. It was a large English country house belonging to the Crosse family since its construction, although the date when it was built is not known. It is surrounded by a large country estate of woodland, ponds and meadows. Within the grounds are a folly and boathouse.

Blake Museum is a 16th century house located in the heart of Bridgwater, a historic market town and port, first mentioned as Brugie in the Domesday Book of 1086. It is the local museum for archaeology and history of Bridgwater. With the collections covering Bridgwater and the surrounding areas, we have fascinating displays waiting for you to discover.

Hestercombe House is a historic country house in the parish of West Monkton in the Quantock Hills, near Taunton in Somerset, England. The house is a Grade II* listed building and the estate is Grade I listed on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England. It is surrounded by gardens which have been restored to Gertrude Jekyll's original plans and have made it "one of the best Jekyll-Lutyens gardens open to the public on a regular basis", visited by

Hestercombe House is a historic country house in the parish of West Monkton in the Quantock Hills, near Taunton in Somerset, England. The house is a Grade II* listed building and the estate is Grade I listed on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England. It served as the Emergency Call Centre for the Somerset Area of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service until March 2012.

The Bower Inn is a charming 18th-century pub, restaurant and hotel situated on the edge of the Somerset Levels near Bridgwater. It offers stylish rooms with luxury bathrooms and delicious homemade food.

Tropiquaria Zoo is one of the most unique zoos or wildlife parks in the country. There is a mainly African theme to the tropical hall and aquarium as well as the large number of outside enclosures. The zoo is a member of BIAZA, the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and has successfully bred a number of endangered species of mammals, reptiles, birds, and fish.

.The Bridgwater and Taunton Canal is a canal in South West England. It links the two towns of Bridgwater and Taunton and measures 14.5 miles long and has 7 locks. There is no navigable connection to the River Parrett today but the Canal is enjoyed by walkers, cyclists, nature enthusiasts, fishermen and boatmen alike. The majority of the Canal is rural and offers tranquility to all.

A beautiful 42 acres of Leisure and Wildlife Park offers visitors a chance to relax away from the bustle of Burnham’s shopping centre and beach. Apex was once an area of clay digging where several pits were excavated and when these were later flooded, they became lakes which are now home to many types of wildlife. There are various facilities including an outdoor gym, a lake and birdlife.

Cleeve Abbey was founded in 1198, and the first Circestircian monks arrived here from Revesby Abbey in Lincolnshire. Over its 350-year monastic history Cleeve was undistinguished amongst the abbeys of its order, frequently ill-governed and often financially troubled. The abbey remains include a gatehouse, cloister range, refectory with a superb angel roof, and a 'painted chamber' featuring medieval wall paintings.

The Burnham-on-Sea Low Lighthouse was constructed in 1832 by Joseph Nelson to guide ships through the Bristol Channel. It is a Grade II listed building and stands on the foreshore. Now, the lighthouse does more than guide ships through the channel’s wayward waters. It’s also a beacon for beach walkers, too.

Burnham & Berrow Golf Club is a 27-hole members golf club in Somerset, England which has hosted many of the leading amateur golf tournaments in Britain, including the Brabazon Trophy and English Amateur. The Channel Course is an 18-hole course with nine greens. Each hole has 2 separate tee positions, one of which is used on each loop of nine. The course is a 5,819-yard par-70 off the men's white tees and a 5,038-yard par-70 of the women's tees.

The Museum of Somerset lies within the 12th century Taunton Castle and tells the county’s fascinating story from prehistoric times to the present day, using real objects, interactive games, eye-catching film projections and the words and voices of Somerset people, past and present. Exhibits include the Frome Hoard, the Low Ham Roman Mosaic, the bronze-age South Cadbury shield and a range of other objects relating to the history of the county.

Berrow beach was awarded the Blue flag rural beach award in 2005. The beach is home to the shipwreck of the Norwegian barque Nornen, which ran aground on 3 March 1897. Berrow Beach is rural in nature with sand dunes at the top of the beach. The beach at Berrow stretches for miles which is ideal for walking.

Vivary Park is Taunton’s premium park, located just minutes away from the town centre. At 7.5 hectares, Vivary Park is the perfect place to go for a picnic, a stroll or to spend the day. The public park came about because it’s so close to the centre of the town. The land had been used as for public events since at least 1851 when the first Taunton Flower Show was held there.

Cossington Park is located in the pretty village of Cossington, on the edge of the Polden Hills and the Somerset Levels. It is a highly adaptable luxury holiday let, owned by my family for around 400 years. It is a lovingly cared-for home for your friends and family to come together for reunions, anniversaries, weddings and special occasions.

A richly detailed composition set in the middle of Vivary Park. Large circular basin with central fountain erected in memory of Queen Victoria and completed 1907. The large building in the background is Jellalabad Barracks, once a depot for Somerset Light Infantry but now residential apartments.