Destination UK

Planning a Literary Inspired Break in Somerset

Posted on
March 14, 2017

Can you believe that it is just 12 days until Mother’s Day and 3 weeks until the kids break up for Easter!
It doesn’t seem like 5 minutes since the kids were on half term and we made the epic journey to Scotland but the reality is that they will soon be on holiday again and most unlike me, I have nothing planned.
I have been reading Mum’s List which tells the real life story of Singe and Kate, a couple from North Somerset, whose lives were turned upside down when Kate was diagnosed with breast cancer. As a result, Kate wrote down her thoughts and memories to help the man she loved create the best life possible for him and their two sons.
Mum's List Still
When I lost my step-sister a few years ago, it made me focus on spending quality time with my family as it showed me life can change in an instant. We spend a lot of time outside exploring where we live, but reading Kate and Singe’s story has inspired me to write my own lists of places I want to visit and experiences I want to try with the kids.
Kate and Singe are from Somerset which I hate to admit that we have barely explored, even though it is one of our neighbouring counties. I have been inspired to hop over the Dorset border to see what it has to offer.
Steam Train
We did visit Watchet last October for the West Somerset Railway Steam Gala and fell in love with the cute village, magnificent steam trains and fossil rich beach.
Fossil
Somerset has so much more of offer though, from tales of King Arthur, visits to an ancient abbey where Kings of Wessex are buried and exploring rolling landscapes that are off the beaten track.

Top of my list is Wells to see where they filmed Hot Fuzz and to gaze at the stunning golden Cathedral.

I have been nagging Hubby to visit Cheddar Gorge for possibly as long as we have been married but the thought of climbing it with young children put us off, but now, having made it up Arthur’s Seat I am determined that 2017 is the year we do it.
Cheddar Gorge
For my aircraft mad boys, Fleet Air Arm Museum but I may make that trip in the summer to make sure it coincides with some in the in the air fun too.
I cannot wait to watch the Mum’s List film which is out on 20th March to get some more inspiring ideas. You can pre-order it to download on iTunes or Amazon now or if you are feeling lucky, enter my competition to win a copy of the Mum’s List book and DVD.
I have also spotted an amazing competition to win a short break to Somerset with Visit England by simply sharing a literary-inspired photo of England on Instagram using #BookEnglandcomp.
Have you visited Somerset, where would you recommend we visit?
Image Credit: Shutterstock.com
Disclaimer: This is a collaborative post.
 
 

TAGS
RELATED POSTS
16 Comments
  1. Reply

    Jen Walshaw

    March 14, 2017

    I have such fond memories of Somerset and Cheddar from when I was younger. The husbeast proposed to me in Wells!

    • Reply

      Kara

      March 15, 2017

      Oh wow, what a fabulous place for such an occasion 🙂

  2. Reply

    Emma

    March 15, 2017

    That sounds like a film that will definitely make me cry.
    We haven’t spent much time in Somerset either, I must try and change that. x

  3. Reply

    Erica Price

    March 15, 2017

    I’ve been to Wells, but it’s been a few years. I’d like to go again and I have a friend that lives there.

  4. Reply

    Nichola - Globalmouse

    March 15, 2017

    We love somerset – it’s where all of my family are from (although I didn’t grow up there), it’s a beautiful county. Love your list.

  5. Reply

    Five little doves

    March 15, 2017

    We love Somerset, we’ve had some lovely holidays down there! It’s a beautiful part of the country!

  6. Reply

    Jon

    March 15, 2017

    I’ve never been to Somerset but the photos here look make it look amazing!

  7. Reply

    Joanna

    March 15, 2017

    I’ve never been to somsert however yiur photos are stunning maybe I’ll visit one day.

  8. Reply

    Jo

    March 15, 2017

    The golden cathedral looks beautiful! We’re going to Somerset in September so I’ll put that on the list!

  9. Reply

    Ana De- Jesus

    March 15, 2017

    I have never been to Somerset before but as a history geek this would be right up my street , love the architecture x

  10. Reply

    Kerry norris

    March 16, 2017

    I’ve never been to Somerset. Looks like there is a lot to see. May consider a trip during the summer holidays x

  11. Reply

    Newcastle Family Life

    March 16, 2017

    I have never visited Somerset before, my mum grew up there and said it was lovely though xx

  12. Reply

    clairejustine

    March 16, 2017

    You are doing a great job at making precious memories Kara. I wish we could travel more. It looks lovely here. Beautiful pictures. That waterfall looks stunning.

  13. Reply

    Clair

    March 17, 2017

    Your photos look amazing. Another place to add to the bucket list!

  14. Reply

    Anne

    March 19, 2017

    I love Somerset, but if you are talking about somewhere literary inspired, how about Wincanton? It’s in South Somerset and is linked with the Fictional town of Ankh Morpork from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld. I’ve not visited yet but plan on doing so very soon.
    I love the Cheddar Gorge, it’s fantastic down in the caves, I wouldn’t be able to do that now but I’m happy to say I’ve done it a few times in the past, so that’s one thing off my bucket list 🙂

  15. Reply

    Jennifer

    March 27, 2017

    I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your sister. These buildings look absolutely amazing and I always love a gorge!

Leave a Reply

KARA GUPPY
Bournemouth

Are we nearly there yet? is a new online blog run by me, Kara Guppy, and is named as such thanks to my daughter Eliza who always asks that very question when we are less than 5 minutes up the road heading off on our adventures. You may know me from my other family blog chelseamamma.co.uk