The Somerset Handbook.

A bright, relaxed brunch spot in the centre of Glastonbury. The Turkish eggs are a favourite, the menu changes with the seasons, and the coffee, from their La Marzocco machine, is some of the best in town.

Open Fri–Sun, Mon–Tue · 8:30am–4pm · Closed Wed & Thu

A proper farm café right at the foot of the Tor, with generous, seasonal plates and outdoor seating looking up at the hill. A natural stop before or after the walk up.

Open daily · 8:30am–4pm

Tucked into Pithers Yard just off the high street, this is the spot for Australian-style brunch and genuinely excellent coffee. An easy stop on the way to or from the station.

A specialty coffee roastery and bar tucked into an industrial estate in Bruton, with its own barista school and a strong reputation across the UK coffee scene. Single-origin beans, properly made, worth seeking out if you care about your coffee.

Run by The Newt in Somerset, based right at Castle Cary station. Unlike the rest of the estate, no membership is needed here. Good for a coffee or a proper meal while waiting for a train.

Tucked away in the small village of Babcary, this is one of the better dining rooms in the area, with thoughtful cooking, a strong wine list, and rooms upstairs if you'd like to stay over.

Mon–Tue 12–3pm & 6–11pm · Sat–Sun 12–11pm

A proper village pub in Ditcheat with cosy interiors and a Sunday roast that has a loyal local following. Rooms are available if you need to stay nearby.

Open daily from 8am · Rooms available

A characterful 17th century pub in Pilton with artwork covering almost every wall. There's a games room with pool, darts and board games, which makes it a particularly good choice if you have a teenager with you.

Set in the pretty village of Batcombe with lovely grounds attached. The cooking here is genuinely ambitious for a village pub. Rooms are available, and it's worth booking ahead as it does get busy.

Open daily from 12pm

Right on Somerton's market square, this handsome old inn has well-kept rooms upstairs. The kitchen cooks everything fresh to order, useful if anyone in the party has dietary requirements.

Open daily · 7:30am–10pm

A pretty thatched pub in Kingsdon, well known locally for its Sunday roast. There's a front garden for sunnier days, and the atmosphere inside is warm and unpretentious.

A pub with rooms just off the high street in Wells. Good, honest food and a comfortable place to stay if you need to be in the city for the night.

A vibrant Middle Eastern restaurant in the centre of Glastonbury, known for its colourful sharing plates and warm atmosphere. One of the more distinctive dinner options in town.

Thu–Mon 12–11pm · Closed Tue–Wed

A Michelin-starred restaurant just outside Bruton, led by chef Merlin Labron-Johnson. The tasting menu changes with the seasons and rarely disappoints. Tables go quickly, so book well ahead.

A vegetable-led sharing plates restaurant in the heart of Wells, holding a Michelin Bib Gourmand. The menu changes regularly and leans heavily on seasonal, local produce, with meat and fish playing a supporting role. Views of the cathedral from inside are an added bonus.

A small, intimate restaurant near Wells Cathedral with an open kitchen, so you can watch the chefs at work. The tasting menu is worth the time if you have it. Only open Thursday to Saturday, so plan ahead.

Thu–Sat only · book ahead

A relaxed, stylish Italian in Somerton, great pizza, good small plates and a cocktail list worth exploring. Equally good for a quick bite or a longer dinner.

A little further out in South Petherton, but worth the drive for a special occasion. The tasting menu changes with the seasons, and the rooms upstairs are genuinely lovely if you'd like to stay.

Wed–Sun · closed Mon–Tue

Set on a hillside near Shepton Mallet with views across the Levels, Wraxall hosts wine pairing evenings, cheese and charcuterie boards, and seasonal pop-up dinners, often under festoon lighting in the warmer months. Their own wines are well worth trying.

Wed–Fri 10am–10pm · Sat 10am–6pm · Sun–Mon 10am–5pm

A working regenerative farm with a restaurant on site, where much of what's on the plate has come straight from the surrounding fields. There's also a natural swimming lake and a wood-fired sauna for anyone wanting to make a longer visit of it. Booking is recommended.

Thu–Sun from 9am

The grandest option in the area by some distance, beautiful rooms, an excellent spa, several restaurants and gardens that are worth a visit in their own right. The natural choice for a parents' weekend that calls for something special.

Twelve individually designed rooms spread across a restored Georgian townhouse, a medieval forge and a row of cottages around a quiet courtyard in the centre of Bruton. The in-house restaurant Briar is excellent, and Osip is a short drive away.

A straightforward, good-value pub with rooms in Street, just a short distance from school. Not the most polished option in this guide, but a sensible choice if proximity matters more than luxury.

The Soho House country outpost near Frome, with an excellent spa. Access requires either Soho House membership or staying overnight as a hotel guest. Worth knowing before you plan a visit.

A spa with an indoor-outdoor pool, steam room, hammam and salt infusion chamber. Access requires either garden membership or staying overnight as a hotel guest. Worth knowing before you plan a visit.

A well-established beauty salon on the high street in Street, easy to reach from school. They offer facials, nails, waxing and lash and brow treatments, a good local option if time is tight.

The walk up the Tor is steep but short, and the view from the top across the Somerset Levels makes it worthwhile. Combine it with the Chalice Well Gardens at the bottom of the hill and the Abbey ruins in town for a fuller morning out.

A genuinely world-class contemporary art gallery, somewhat improbably set in the Somerset countryside near Bruton. The gardens are beautifully kept, and Roth Bar & Grill on site does a very good brunch, easily a half-day out.

One of England's finest medieval cathedrals, with extraordinary scissor arches and a working medieval astronomical clock. Wells is Britain's smallest city and easy to explore on foot in an hour or two.

A dramatic limestone gorge with proper caves to explore at Gough's Cave and Cox's Cave. The climb up Jacob's Ladder is rewarded with sweeping views across the Levels, a good choice if you want something more active than sightseeing.

A peaceful woodland walk about three miles from Street, with well-kept paths and some lovely countryside views along the way. Free parking on site, and quieter than most of the walks on this list.