20 Attractions to Explore Near Chard Museum

A beautiful 19th- century watermill set in 5 acres of peaceful, landscaped water gardens, deep in the heart of Somerset. This watermill combines beautiful original features and traditional character with modern comforts. Today it has been beautifully converted into a 4-star hotel, with the historic mill’s stunning original features carefully preserved and sensitively integrated. All of the hotel’s cosy en suite rooms are individually designed and decorated in a traditional country style.

Forde Abbey is a stunning example of history preserved but not petrified, where the Kennard family continues to live and work in an informal style and where visitors will always receive a warm welcome. It has a long and varied history and was mostly neglected in the 19th century. The current family owners have lived in the house since 1905. The gardens are Grade II* listed and they cover 30 acres. There are several water features, planted gardens and an arboretum.

Forde Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery dating back to the early 12th century. Throughout the 20th century, the 30 acres of gardens that surround this unique house have been transformed by the present owners. The house and gardens are run as a tourist attraction while the 1,600-acre estate is farmed to provide additional revenue. Forde Abbey is a Grade I listed building.

Barrington Court is a charming Tudor manor house complimented beautifully with Gertrude Jekyll-inspired gardens, apple orchards and a working kitchen garden. The house was originally surrounded by a medieval deer park and in the 17th century a formal garden was constructed. This had largely disappeared until a new garden was laid out by garden designer Gertrude Jekyll in an Arts and Crafts-style.

East Lambrook Manor Gardens is the iconic and quintessentially English cottage garden created by the celebrated 20th-century plantswoman and gardening writer Margery Fish. The Grade 1 listed garden has been restored by new owners and is full of rare and unusual plants. Very strong on herbaceous it also contains one of the best collection of hardy geraniums in the country.

Set up to encourage safe and sustainable collecting of Jurassic fossils from local beaches, the centre offers hands-on displays, interactive computers and information about fossils and fossil hunting. Throughout the year the centre runs guided fossil hunting walks as well as countryside and marine discovery activities along the coastline. Beyond the centre, there is a lovely beach – perfect for swimming, and several beautiful walks. A great day out for all the family.

Charmouth is a delightful unspoiled seaside village set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with a fantastic beach world-renowned for its fossils. The large shingle beach and the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre on the seafront are a must-visit for those interested in fossils and local natural history. It is great for the family – lots of sand especially at low tide, safe swimming, picnic areas, cafes, and beach shops.

Dinosaurland Fossil Museum is a private museum which is owned and run by Palaeontologist Steve Davies and his wife Jenny. The museum contains a spectacular collection of the local Jurassic marine fossils. The ground floor of the museum houses a spectacular collection of 200-million-year-old Jurassic fossils which have been discovered along the local coastline. Exhibits range from the enormous Ichthyosaur to the tiniest fish and ammonites.

The Town Mill is a unique mix of working watermills, art galleries, and creative artisanal businesses. Centered around a beautiful medieval cobbled courtyard and featuring a landscaped ‘Miller’s Garden’, the Town Mill is one of Lyme Regis’ leading attractions. watch the giant waterwheel turn as it is driven by water from the River Lym. A miller will demonstrate how the huge gears harness this power to drive the heavy grindstone.

Lyme Regis Museum houses some fantastic fossils and is a great place to learn about the long history of fossil collecting in the area. It is built on the site of the birthplace and home of the fossil hunter Mary Anning. The Anning family also ran a shop here.

Monmouth Beach is a pebble and rock beach which was located just outside the town of Lyme Regis, and stretches from the famous Cobb for about one mile, to Pinhey Beach. This beach is so named because the Duke of Monmouth landed here in 1685 in an attempt to wrest the crown from King James II. One of the family-friendly beach and is apt for a swim and bath.

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.

A beautiful 390 acre open access Country Park, superb countryside and Iron Age earthworks. Ham Hill has amazing panoramic views of Somerset. Ham Hill Country Park is now more accessible for all than ever before. There are suitable walks and trails for all levels of walkers.

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.

Ham Hill is a 390 acre open access Country Park with superb countryside and Iron Age earthworks. Ham Hill has amazing panoramic views of Somerset. It is also a Green Flag Award winner too. There are suitable walks and trails for all levels of walkers. The geology supports a wide range of fauna including mammals, birds, invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians living on lichens, fungi, ferns and flowering plants.

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.

Its 300 acre farm includes 70 acres of withy beds and is found in the heart of the Somerset Levels, an area of huge environmental and conservation importance. The Somerset Levels is the most important wetland area in the UK and home to a wide range of wildlife. This unique landscape provides the perfect conditions for growing basket making willow, known locally as 'withies'.

Golden Cap is a hill and cliff situated on the English Channel coast between Bridport and Charmouth in Dorset. The great rocky shoulder of Golden Cap offers magnificent views at every compass point. On a clear day, you can see across Lyme Bay to Dartmoor - well worth the effort of the walk uphill. Langdon is owned by the National Trust and encompasses a circular walk of approximately one mile.

Muchelney Abbey is an English Heritage property in the village of Muchelney in the Somerset Levels, England. The site consists of ruined walls showing the layout of the abbey buildings constructed from the 7th to 16th and the remaining intact Abbott's House. It is next to the parish church in which some of the fabric of the abbey has been reused.

Discover over 250 million years of history as you explore the interactive displays at Seaton Jurassic, a community lead centre, which allows visitors to learn more about the Jurassic Coast. Seaton Jurassic host a number of exciting events, designed to engage children with the natural surroundings and coastal and marine life. These include weekly craft sessions, nature trails and talks and seminars.