Explore
Explore and enjoy our beautiful surrounds. Here are a few of our favourites to get you started. Do ask for any more suggestions, it's something we could talk about for days
Food and Drink
Pubs, Bars and Restaurants
The Bell, Broadway - warm and welcoming with great pizzas and cosy fires [4 miles, 8 minutes drive / 25 minute cycle]
The Cotley Inn, Wambrook - delicious food. One of Britain's top 100 restuarants (Good Food Guide 2023). Fantastic starting point for a country walk [4 miles, 10 minutes drive]
The George, Donyatt - walk or cycle along the Sustrans path to reach this friendly local pub [2 miles, 3 minutes drive / 40 minutes walk / 10 minutes cycle]
The Five Dials, Broadway - great food and drink [4 miles, 8 minutes drive / 20 minutes cycle]
Hornsbury Mill, Chard - just a short amble away, stop for a tea or a bite to eat. Enjoy the lake and peacocks [0.3 miles, 9 minute walk]
Holm, South Petherton - contemporary restaurant, highly recommended [7 miles, 15 minutes drive]
The Haymaker Inn, Wadeford - homely, welcoming pub [2 miles, 1 hour walk, 5 minute drive]
The Barrington Boar, Barrington - award winning restaurant and pub [8 miles, 15 minutes drive]
Tytherleigh Arms, Axminster - beautifully curated food [5 miles, 12 minutes drive]
Cafes, Coffee and Bakeries
Pip's Railway Carriage - bakery, coffee and simply stunning food, served in railway carriages or on board a bus; an absolute must [10 miles, 15 minutes drive]
Canteen at Perry's, Dowlish Wake - a short cycle to this treasure of a cafe set at Perry's Cider Mill [3 miles, 8 minute drive / 60 minutes walk / 20 minutes cycle]
No. 57 East Street, Ilminster - coffee, cake and antiques. A great way to spend an afternoon [4 miles, 9 minutes drive / 60 minutes walk / 20 minutes cycle]
Jordan's Courtyard, Ilminster - carefully curated cafe [3 miles, 5 minutes drive / 20 minutes cycle]
The Pastry Bench, Ilminster - otherwordly treats [3 miles, 5 minutes drive / 20 minutes cycle]
The Somerset Cheesecakery, Ilminster - cheesecake. As it should be [4 miles, 9 minutes drive / 60 minutes walk / 20 minutes cycle]
The Feed Station, Merriott - superb cycle cafe with incredible food [10 miles, 20 minutes drive / 45 minutes cycle]
Whitehouse Farm Cherries, Knowle St Giles - through July, stroll up the lane and discover a delightful cherry orchard and sample the delicious produce from the farm shop [300m]
The Old Dairy, Bower Hinton - delightful cafe set in a working farm, serving outstanding local, sustainable food [10 miles, 20 minutes drive]
Heron Farm, Honiton - award winning vineyard, cafe and orchard [17 miles, 25 minutes drive]
Rajpoot, Indian, located in Ilminster
Que Bueno, Venezuelan, located in Chard
Takeaways (that deliver)
Places to go
Montacute House, Montacute - a 16th Century Elizabethan Renaissance House with opulent garden. National Trust [16 miles, 20 minutes drive]
Barrington Court, Barrington - An estate in the vision of Colonel Lyle, with farm buildings and abundant flowers. National Trust [9 miles, 20 minutes drive / 45 minutes cycle]
Chard Reservoir - a short amble from the campsite, visit the reservoir and try spotting the wildfowl from the hide, including a growing population of grebes [1.5 miles, 25 minutes walk / 10 minutes cycle]
Ilminster - visit this picturesque town and the Minster church dating from 1450. Wonder around and lose yourself in the quaint shops and friendly cafes [4 miles, 10 minutes drive / 60 minutes walk / 20 minutes cycle]
Forde Abbey House and Garden, Chard - explore the Abbey's 900 year history and marvel in the incredible gardens [6 miles, 15 minutes drive / 35 minutes cycle]
Dillington Estate, Ilminster - walk around the estate grounds, explore the boutique shops and stop for a coffee [5 miles, 10 minutes drive / 30 minutes cycle]
Hestercombe House and Gardens, Taunton - 50 acres of paradise [17 miles, 30 minutes drive]
Ilminster tennis courts - free to play, book online [3.5 miles, 9 minutes drive]
Cider
This is Somerset. It would be remiss of us not to focus on cider. Here are a few local favourite cideries
Perry's Cider Mills, Dowlish Wake - a short cycle away, explore the museum and shop, sample the outstanding local cider, and stop at the cafe [3 miles, 10 minutes drive / 60 minutes walk / 20 minutes cycle]
Burrow Hill Cider Farm, Kingsbury Episcopi - exquisite cider, beautiful views and fabulous events in the summer. Visit the renowned Glastonbury Cider Bus [12 miles, 25 minutes drive / 50 minutes cycle]
Sheppy's, Taunton - enjoy the award-winning cider at one of the oldest independent cider makers in the world. Explore the orchard, shop and cafe. Make sure to greet the animals too! [17 miles, 30 minutes drive]
Beaches
Lyme Regis, Dorset - 25 minutes drive to this picturesque seaside resort with beautiful beaches, fossils to be found, amazing cafe culture and arts scene. We recommend The Lyme Bay for its beautiful views, Town Mill Bakery for anything coffee and pastry related, The Oyster and Fish House for seafood and the Town Mill for your cultural fill
Seatown, Bridport - a 35 minutes drive to this coastal hamlet with a special shingle beach and divine pub, The Anchor Inn
West Bay, Bridport - 40 minutes drive to the stunning sandstone cliffs and rocky beach. Try the delicious seafood at the Watch House cafe
Weston Mouth, near Sidmouth - 45 minutes drive to this secluded beach, well worth the 15 minute walk from the car park. Pack a picnic and while away a day enjoying the sounds of the sea
Walking and Cycling
Knowle Meadow is located on a rural lane which links to the Sustrans cycle path. From here you can see WWII Stop Line Defences, cycle to Ilminster, Chard, and cycle further on to Barrington Court and beyond..
There are many and varied walks to be enjoyed from the campsite; these include walking up Spray's Hill; walking to the local reservoir; countryside walks taking in local pubs and various sights. We have some maps/written guided walks available on site. You can also have a look here, or speak to us!
Children
Chard Leisure Centre - newly built indoor swimming pool and soft play [2 miles, 5 minutes drive]
Foxdown Farm - get up close with the animals on this working farm [10 miles, 20 minutes drive]
Axe Valley Wildlife Park - small friendly zoo [10 miles, 20 minutes drive]
The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth - a great day out; good cafe and walks. Tie it in with a visit to the beach [22 miles, 40 minutes]
Fleet Air Arm Museum - visit Concorde [16 miles, 25 minutes drive]
Haynes Motor Museum - cars. Need we say more? [24 miles, 30 minutes]
SUP
River Parrett, Langport - park at Parrett Close car park (TA10 9PG) and you're meters away from the Cocklemoor Pontoon for easy access. Head upstream for beautiful views across grazing meadows and rolling countryside. Stop for refreshments downstream at The Bridge Bakery and Canteen [15 miles away, 30 minutes]
Lyme Regis - enjoy the calm waters protected by the Cobb Harbour wall [14 miles away, 30 minutes]
Bridgewater canal - spend your day cruising along the canal. Try parking at the Somerset Boat Centre, and stop for a drink at The Lock Inn [16 miles away, 25 minutes]
