20 Free Days Out and Things to Do With Kids in Somerset
I'm still adding to this list, so keep checking back, please get in touch if you've got any hidden gems to recommend, or if you have a picture to replace any that I'm missing (ie the places that have words). As a thank you, I'll send a 20% money off voucher to spend in the shop for anything that gets used.
I've tried to make sure that all the details on here are up to date, but please do double check on the websites I've linked to before you travel in case anything has changed. Although I'd love to be able to travel to every place on here, time and practicalities dictate that I've sourced a lot of information from 3rd parties so some information might be incorrect (Please let me know if you spot anything that is so that I can amend it).
Especially important: double check parking costs to avoid any nasty surprises on a day out that was supposed to be cheap, and obviously, be careful if you're visiting places with kids, especially where the terrain is dangerous (ruins, cliffs, beaches, slippy paths etc).
Happy adventuring!
Take a stroll around the quirky town, steeped in history and legend. Visit Bride's Mound, the Glastonbury Experience Courtyard, follow the Mural Trail, walk up the Glastonbury Tor, visit the Glastonbury Lake Museum, see the Oaks of Avalon, walk the labyrinth.
A long pebble and sand beach, with a Victorian promenade, and pier. If you're bored with the beach then check out the poet's walk. There's also a miniature railway, rides cost £1.50.
Things don't get much more spectacular than Cheddar Gorge, an Area of Outsanding Natural Beauty, and an SSSI. While you have to pay to do a lot of the activities, you can do this walking trail for free. (Please take note of all the safety instructions on the link). Check out this tip for not paying for Jacob's Ladder.
An award winning park centered around an Iron Age hillfort. You can download a trail via an app before you go to follow 'Ham Hill's Pits of Peril and Rampaging Romans'. There's a playground, picnic area, beautiful views, and plenty of hills and dips for the kids to play on.
Visit the beautiful cathedral with it's famous clock, stained glass, and octagonal chapter house. Take a stroll down Vicar's Close, believed to be the only complete medieval street in the country. You can pay to visit the Bishop's Palace.
Explore the ruins of an Iron Age fort (it later became a motte and bailey). Stroll through the forest and enjoy the beautiful scenery on the edge of Blackdown hills. There are colour coded trails, and a playground.
A charming, quirky harbour hamlet on the edge of Exmoor National Park. See the boats in the harbour, walk through the quiet marshland to the stony beach. For a walk filled with delights, head up to Culborne Church. While you're there, visit the nearby Porlock, the Dovery Manor Museum, and Porlock Marsh.
Learn more about Bath's rich history, with a host of interactive exhibits and displays. Check out the link on the website to the Bath World Heritage App to help you get the most out of your visit to the city.
Learn local history from prehistoric to modern times in this museum housed in a 12th century castle. There's lot to keep the kids engaged, check out the programme of events including toddler storytime activity sessions. The castle is also home to the Somerset Military Museum.
7.5 hectares of parkland close to the centre of town. There's a large adventure playground, sensory garden, tree trail, and plenty of open space to play and picnic in.
Stunning parkland, with woodlands, waterfalls, and meadows. The Ninesprings area is the most popular, with footpaths through semi-ancient woodlands, wildflower meadows and waterfalls, stepping stones, and fairytale like bridges. There's also a playground.
See a true scale model of the solar system with the planets placed along the Bridgewater to Taunton Canal. The sun and inner planets are located at Maunsel Loch, while Pluto is 6.8 miles away.
A 2 mile long sandy beach, with a lot of pay-for attractions on the Grand Pier. Check out Marine Lake, refurbished in 2022, it keeps the water even during low tide when it's VERY far out on the beach. There's also Weston Museum, where you can see Banksy's pinwheel. Remember to stroll round the town admiring the street art.
An impressive 14th century castle with a well preserved tower complete with a water filled moat. Perfect for playing kings and queens. While you're there, have a stroll around the charming village.
Explore 500 hectares in the heart of the Avalon Marshes. There's wildflower meadows, woods, fen, and diches. Check out the discovery trail, with easy access for families and wheelchairs.
A beautiful 6 mile walk taking you through woodlands, meadows, follies, valleys, and an orchard. If your kids are younger, you might prefer searching for elf and fairy doors on the the 2 mile family discovery trail where they can also play in a woodland play area.
A mainly traffic free route without lots of steep bits, great for a family walk or bike ride past orchards, wooded valleys, and beautiful scenery. Check the website for start and finish points. The longest continuous stretch at the moment is Yatton to Cheddar (10 miles).
A 7 miles stretch of sandy beach, Burnham on sea is a bustling seaside town with a pier, cafe, gardens. Check the instructions on when it's safe to swim. While you're there, take a stroll around Apex Leisire Park, a 42 acre park with a playground, trim trail and skate park.
Look out for wildlife, explore the wildflower meadows and woods, and play in the woodland playground. Check the website for the programme of events.
A park with incredible views over the city. There's a playground, table tennis table. Walk through the adjacent Beechen Cliff woods including a Jacobs ladder.
You know what the kids would love to be filling in as you're exploring new places? An epic activity pack! And it should be filled with easy activity ideas, and stickers, and personalised!
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