Shepton Mallet

Shepton Mallet is a Somerset base with a solid range of hotels and inns, making it an easy place to settle in for a few days. The Oakhill Inn stands out among the accommodation options, rated 4.6 from over 600 reviews, while Charlton House Spa Hotel offers something different if you want to combine your stay with relaxation facilities. There are also two campsites in the area: Batcombe Vale Campsite is particularly well-regarded at 4.7 from 121 reviews, and Redwood Rare Breeds Campsite offers a smaller, quieter alternative.

The main draw is Shepton Mallet Prison, rated exceptionally high at 4.8 from nearly 700 reviews. A visit here is clearly something visitors make a point of doing. Beyond that, the East Somerset Railway provides a different sort of experience, rated 4.6 from around 1,800 reviews, while Shepton Mallet Lido and Ultimate Slip 'N' Slide both offer water-based activities—one traditional, one more modern and lively.

For eating, there is genuine variety. Batcombe Lunch Club stands out with a strong rating of 4.6 from over 600 reviews. Woven is rated exceptionally high at 4.9, though from only a handful of reviews, while Love Fields (4.5) and Batcombe Village Hall Trust (4.4) also appeal to visitors. Chains and smaller independents sit alongside each other, so whether you're after something casual or more particular, there is something to choose from.