Somerset/ Dorset Region, UK

• More about your oliver guide: Katherine Harbin
• Trip type: Adult, Family, Group getaway, Beach, City
• Activity level: easy
• Ideal length of trip: One week or longer!

to & from

Easily accessible by planes, trains and automobiles

• Direct train from Waterloo in London to Yeovil Junction takes 2 hours 20 minutes
• Fly into Heathrow International and drive approximately 2.5 hours
• Regional airports include Bristol, Exteter and Southampton - each about 1 hour drive

Where to Stay

There are many lovely choices in this region. For a larger group there are gorgeous houses to rent. For smaller groups the nicest hotel is The Newt.

• Newton Surmaville House
• The Newt Hotel

Where to Eat and Drink

So many good choices that its hard to narrow it down!

• Dinner at The Clockspire in Sherbourne – all the cocktails in the upstairs bar are amazing!
• Lunch the Roth Bar at the Hauser & Wirth in Bruton.
• Harriet’s amazing English Breakfast at Newton Surmaville which is included daily in your rental
• Pub lunch or dinner at The Trough. This is especially great for kids who love petting the onsite farm animals.

What to Do

On the Newton Surmaville Estate you have walking, fishing, paddle boarding, kayaking, falconry, yoga, a gym, a games room, a cinema room and more. Its the perfect place to relax and unwind. Once you are fully relaxed, there are countless local sites including:

• Just under one hours drive away from Newton Surmaville is the Bronze Age site of the world famous, Stonehenge. This prehistoric monument consists of an outer ring of vertical standing stones of about 13 feet in height and 7 feet wide (weighing around 25 tons) with horizontal lintel stones connecting the standing stones. This is an absolute ‘must see’ for any visitor and if you go in the early morning, you can watch the sunrise, get a special guide and have a private visit.
• You can reach the Jurassic Coast within an hour from Newton Surmaville. A World Heritage Site on the coast of the English Channel, at a length of 96 miles, it stretches from Exmouth in East Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset. There is so much to do along the coast from exploring and enjoying the beaches to fossil hunting and much much more.
• Wells Cathedral. Set in the medieval heart of England’s smallest city, Wells Cathedral was built between 1175 and 1490 and has been described as “the most poetic of the English Cathedrals”. Wells Cathedral has unique features that separate it from other English cathedrals including its iconic West Front and the beautiful ‘scissor arches’ supporting the central tower. Wells also boasts one of the largest collections of historic stained glass in the country. Other highlights include the famous Wells Clock (which is considered to be the second oldest clock mechanism in Great Britain), the fascinating octagonal Chapter House and one of only four chained libraries in the UK.
• Hauser & Wirth Gallery. The Hauser & Wirth Somerset gallery and arts centre occupies a former farmstead in Bruton. It is home to a vibrant program of art exhibitions, events, learning activities and artists’ residencies, which connect with the local community and landscape. Nearby, on Bruton High Street, Make Hauser & Wirth Somerset occupies two rooms of a Georgian townhouse. The gallery is a destination for contemporary making and the crafted object, showcasing work from the best emerging and established makers.
• Longleat House and Safari Park. Just over half an hour from the house, enjoy a day out like no other. Did you know that Longleat was the first Safari Park to open outside of Africa in 1966? Home to over 120 species, you can see their amazing animals by car, foot, train, bus and boat.
• Fleet Air Army Museum. Step inside the first British Concorde, experience the thrills of a working flight deck, and witness a dramatic air-sea rescue on the Aircraft Carrier Experience. This is an all-weather venue which means it’s a good thing for a rainy day.

inside scoop

Summer temperatures are ideal, usually in the 70’s or low 80’s so its the perfect place to come when the rest of Europe is too hot!

• With some advance notice you can get a private tour of Stonehenge at either sunrise or sunset.
• There are great antique shops throughout Somerset. Some of my favorites are in Sherbourne, Crewkerne and Bruton

What to Pack

Pack light so you can take the train! I recommend Paravel luggage with monogrammed packing cubes and Cadence capsules for your toiletries. Don’t forget a raincoat as all that gorgeous green grass can mean a little wet weather!