Attractions Nearby Glastonbury, Day Trips and Excursions

(Glastonbury, Somerset, England, UK)

Somerset and the Mendip countryside directly surrounding Glastonbury is nothing short of a playground for tourists, who will find all manner of appealing attractions and day trip possibilities. Ranging from steam-train rides along the East Somerset Railway to shopping in the Georgian city of Bath, attractions close to Glastonbury are certainly varied.

It is even possible to take an excursion to the beach, with the seaside attractions of Weston Super Mare being especially nearby and considered by many to be a suburb of Bristol. Particularly close to Glastonbury are Bridgwater, Cheddar Gorge, Street, Wells and Yeovil.

Bath

The Georgian city of Bath is very distinctive in its appearance, with innumerable grand Bath stone buildings lining its wide streets. World-class attractions in this charismatic city include its ancient Roman Baths, Royal Crescent and Pulteney Bridge, where the acclaimed Victoria Art Gallery resides. Bath is home to an enormous selection of shops, which are laid out in an organised manner and include a new development of period-style shops, following the recent demolition of the eyesore that was the Merchant's Passage shopping centre. From Glastonbury, Bath can be reached in under an hour and really does warrant a day trip - or longer.

Bournemouth

One of southern England's most popular seaside towns, Bournemouth really does have it all - sun, sea, sand and many remaining Victorian features. Bournemouth was officially founded some 200 years ago and its main attractions tend to relate to its beautiful beachfront, with land train rides to the neighbouring town of Boscombe being very much recommended. The pier is another notable attraction and comes complete with its own theatre, while close by is the Oceanarium, the Pavilion Theatre, the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC), and the colourful Lower Gardens, where flowers are always in bloom, regardless of the time of year.

Bridgwater

An attractive Somerset market town, Bridgwater is a mere half and hour's drive from Glastonbury and although its attractions may be a little thin on the ground, there are a number of places of interest. The Somerset Brick and Tile Museum is one particular highlight in Bridgwater, as is the Sydenham Manor House and the waterfront.

Bristol

Bristol is an exciting city, with a lively nightlife and more than enough attractions to fill an entire week. Brunel's accommodation is especially famous, with Bristol Zoo standing close by and being home to everything from lions and penguins, to monkeys, giant tortoises and stick insects. A short distance from the zoo, the At Bristol exploration / education attraction is perfect for all the family, while the Bristol Hippodrome theatre and neighbouring Colston Hall both boast an impressive choice of entertainment. At just 43 km / 27 miles north of Glastonbury, Bristol can easily be reached in under an hour.

Cheddar Gorge

Address: Cheddar Gorge & Caves, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3QF, England, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1934 742 343
Email: info@cheddargorge.co.uk
Website: www.cheddargorge.co.uk
Home to some of the most dramatic natural scenery that the Mendips has to offer, Cheddar Gorge is only 21 km / 13 miles to the north-west of Glastonbury and has become something of a summer tourist hotspot. Cream teas are a plenty around Cheddar Gorge, while the stalactite and stalagmite formations in Cox's and Gough's caves are especially impressive. And of course, no trip to Cheddar could really be considered to be complete without first tasting some of their locally produced cheese.
Open hours: Easter, May and Whitsun School Holidays, July and August, daily - 10:00 to 17:30; September to April and June, daily - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discount available for children, children five years old and under are free, ten per cent discount if tickets booked online

Exmoor National Park

Exmoor National Park covers a vast area and lies between western Somerset and northern Devon, just 67 km / 42 miles from Glastonbury itself. Visitors to the Exmoor National Park can expect to find endless walking and hiking trails, including the famous 'Tarka Trail', which inspired the much-loved novel, Tarka the Otter. The main attractions of Exmoor are those of County Gate, Dulverton, Exford, Homer, Oare, Porlock and Withypool
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: donations

Frome

The busy market town of Frome is within easy reach of Glastonbury and lies just 34 km / 21 miles away, being well connected by regular buses. Although Frome is relatively small, its history is enormous and stretches back more than 1,300 years and once served as an important Anglo-Saxon settlement. Today, Frome is home to two prominent theatres, a bustling bi-weekly market, and a number of cultural attractions, which are all used extensively during its summer festival celebrations, where past headline acts have included the likes of Ken Dodd and Paul Merton.

Salisbury

Featuring a spectacular cathedral, Salisbury is a small city some 88 km / 55 miles to the south-east of Glastonbury, with medieval buildings from Tudor times, and some impressive cultural attractions in the form of museums and galleries. Life in Salisbury very much revolves around its Market Square, which is presided over by the Guildhall. Next to Salisbury Cathedral is the extremely beautiful Cathedral Close, where you will discover the 13th-century Medieval Hall, the Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum, and the Bishop's Palace.

Street

At just five minutes away from Glastonbury, Street is more of a suburb than a separate town and really has only one attraction that manages to successfully draw the crowds - its shops. The biggest concentration of shops forms the bustling Clarks Village, where big-name stores feature discount outlets, stocking end-of-line ranges at bargain prices.

Taunton

As the county town of Somerset, Taunton deserves a visit and is only 35 km / 22 miles to the south-west of Glastonbury. Taunton is an especially green town and is home to a series of centrally located public parks, the most popular of which is Vivary Park. The shopping scene is Taunton is well developed, while sightseers will favour the attractions of Taunton Castle, the Tudor Tavern, the Somerset County Museum and the Gray's Almshouses along Fore Street.

Wells

Wells is only a 15-minute drive from Glastonbury and this small cathedral city lies within easy reach of Bath, Cheddar, Glastonbury, the Mendips and also Wookey Hole - a leading attraction comprising caves, a paper mill, dinosaurs and Victorian amusements. Most sightseers come to the city to marvel at the magnificence of Wells Cathedral, which was constructed in a series of stages between the late 12th century and early 16th century.

Weston Super Mare

The lively seaside resort town of Weston Super Mare lies approximately 35 km / 22 miles to the north-west of Glastonbury and alongside the Bristol Channel. Weston Super Mare is known for its many seaside attractions, with the recent fire damage to its famous pier hitting the headlines. However, its new, sleek and modern pier is all set to keep Weston Super Mare as one of the most visited of all the Somerset towns. Close by, Clevedon offers a scenic cliff-top walk and even a bonsai nursery.

Weymouth

Once a hectic Medieval port town, Weymouth is now a busy tourist town, attracting holiday makers from all over England. From Glastonbury, the attractions of Weymouth can be reached in just under an hour and a half by road, and include a sweeping beachfront, the Brewer's Quay shopping centre, the Deep Sea Adventure on Custom House Quay, and a large entertainment complex comprising the Sea Life aquarium chain and go-kart racing. Many people simply pass through Weymouth to catch a high-speed ferry to Guernsey, Jersey or St. Malo, with daily departures usually being available at the port.

Yeovil

Most people tend to visit Yeovil for its shopping attractions. Yeovil is located in South Somerset and is approximately 30 km / 19 miles to the south of Glastonbury. Apart from its extensive shopping centre, Yeovil is also home to two theatres, a modern multiscreen cinema complex, and the 14th-century Church of St. John the Baptist, which boasts a tower more than 27 metres / 90 feet in height.