Exmoor

Exmoor's wider Somerset borders take in a wide mix of coast, moor and market town. Minehead and Brean sit on the coast, both popular for traditional seaside breaks, while Bridgwater and Highbridge offer practical bases with good road links across the county. Taunton, the county town, is the natural choice for shopping and transport connections, and Crewkerne provides a quieter market town alternative further south.

Inland, Wells and Glastonbury combine history and legend, the former built around its cathedral, the latter known for its abbey and tor. Bath, though a little further afield, remains essential for its Georgian architecture and Roman baths. Cheddar draws visitors to its gorge and caves, Frome suits those wanting antique shops and independent trading, and Sandford offers a peaceful rural stop away from the busier towns.

Accommodation around Exmoor ranges from Georgian townhouse hotels in Bath to modest bed and breakfasts tucked into villages near the moor itself. Dunster and Minehead make sensible bases for walkers and those heading onto Exmoor proper, with guesthouses and B&Bs like Millstream Cottage or The Cedars offering a straightforward night's stay within easy reach of the coast path and the hills.

Further afield, Bath and Weston-super-Mare bring a different character to the list, from smart city hotels such as Abbey Hotel to seaside guesthouses suited to a shorter stopover. Glastonbury and Chard sit somewhere between the two, useful for exploring the Somerset Levels or breaking a longer journey.

With so many options across such varied towns, it is worth deciding first whether you want moorland quiet, coastal air, or city convenience, as that will narrow the choice more than anything else.

Exmoor's reach stretches well beyond its moorland into some of Somerset's most visited towns, and the days out on offer here reflect that spread. Bath draws crowds for the Roman Baths and its wider heritage, while Glastonbury and Cheddar carry their own well-known pulls, from the Tor to the gorge. Weston-super-Mare and Minehead lean towards the seaside end of things, with attractions built around beach days and family entertainment.

Away from the obvious names, the list gets more varied and more active. Taunton and Bruton turn up simulators, VR and laser games for wet days or teenage groups, while the countryside around Frome and Somerton offers something slower, such as sheep trekking or glamping stays with activities attached. Treasure trails and archaeology days add a different pace again, so it is worth deciding first whether you want a landmark visit, a coastal outing or something more hands-on before picking a spot.

Exmoor's coast and moorland are ringed by towns with very different eating habits. Bath offers the most polished choice, from long-standing favourites like the Olive Tree to independent cafés such as Fable Coffee and Stories, while Taunton and Bridgwater lean towards solid pub lunches and casual bites for shoppers and workers passing through.

Down towards Weston-super-Mare and Yeovil, expect a mix of seafront chip shops, family pubs and coffee stops geared to day-trippers, with places like Oscars Fish Bar typical of the seaside fare. Inland Somerset villages tend to centre on a single good pub, often the best reason to stop at all.

Where you eat usually comes down to what else you are doing that day: a market town for a proper sit-down meal, a coastal spot for something quick after the beach, or a village pub if you want a fire and a slower pace.

Exmoor's campsites and glamping stays reach well beyond the moor itself, taking in the Somerset towns and villages that sit around its edges. Dulverton and Sampford Brett put you close to the high ground and the coombes, while sites near Taunton, Wellington and Ilminster suit those splitting their time between the moor and the Somerset Levels or Blackdown Hills.

The range runs from simple, well-run grounds like Ivy Cottage Campsite and Swallow Barn Farm Camping to more furnished stays such as Gurt Yurts, Apple Tree Glamping and Tone Valley View Glamping. Wimbleball Holidays makes sense for anyone drawn to the reservoir, while places around Cheddar and Castle Cary suit trips that mix moorland walking with gorge scenery or market-town browsing further east.

Exmoor's cottages range from converted farm buildings to moorland lodges, and the choice often comes down to whether you want to be near the coast or tucked into the combes further inland. Places like Thornes Farm Cottage or Wellington Farm's Ramscliff Cottage suit those after a working-farm base with room to spread out, while smaller conversions such as The Chaff House or Little Burcott Loft work well for a couple wanting somewhere quiet and self-contained.

Many properties, including Periton Park Court's Willow Lodge and Moorleaze - Stourhead, sit within easy reach of Exmoor's villages and walking routes, useful if you'd rather leave the car behind once you've arrived. Others, like Glen Piggery or Hollies Cottage, favour a more rural setting with ponies, sheep or moorland views as neighbours. With so many options across Somerset's stretch of the park, it's worth deciding first whether you want coast, village or open moor on your doorstep.