At Easter, Mrs F and I will be hiring a campervan (same make, same range, different model to the one we’re thinking of buying) and heading to Priddy, which is half-way between Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole.
We have three full days there, and 24 hours in Devizes on our way back to the hire place.
What should we see while we’re there?
Any south-west AWers fancy a mini-mingle over a cuppa?
In your near vicinity, Wells is well worth a visit; market days are Wednesday and Saturday. Frome has Rave From the Grave records, and some lovely shops. Market Saturday.
Glastonbury is unhinged, but like the two above, we go there a lot. Has Jadlam Models, if like me, you make – err – models. Some vinyl, lots of crystals. Glastonbury that is, not Jadlam.
Cheddar Gorge is spectacular, and tacky, depending on how far up you go. Axbridge worth going just for the centre.
I lived in Somerset for about 18 months in the late 90s, in Taunton. Wells Cathedral is a stunner, and a clamber up Glastonbury tour is a must followed by a disappointing lunch in a hippy cafe sandwiched between a chakra workshop and a shop selling locally-crafted pyramid-shaped ionisers. Nothing worth bothering with in Taunton. Trust me, I spent 18 months looking.
Food-wise in Glasto, Knight’s fish and chips is epic.
I’m veggie, so Glastonbury ought to offer me a range of delicious choices (and perhaps it does now – I haven’t been since I left Somerset in 1999). Whenever I went there the cafes I tried served the sort of thing that gave vegetarian food such as bad reputation in the 70s and 80s.
I went to Taunton in the late 80s, on a Sunday. It was closed. OK, this is almost true, the only food we could get in the evening was at an Indian restaurant.
I slept on top of the tor once woke up to the countryside covered in mist below, like being on an island at sea.
I bet that was quite something!
I had a university housemate from Westonzoyland (near Bridgwater) and routinely went up the Tor when visiting his folks. Glastonbury town was no less underwhelming back then (late ’80s/early ’90s). Haven’t been up since our last visit to the Pilton festival in 2000.
Street used to be worth a visit for cheap Clarks shoes.
I used to work with a great bloke from Westonzoyland called Scott. I fondly recall sitting on the floor of the main arena at Glastonbury, mystified by his devotion but glad of a sit-down, even in the wet, while he watched and listened, puzzlingly rapt, to the Godawful sounds coming from the Pyramid Stage where his beloved Radiohead were squealing out their dirges. I put his madness down to the rebellious nature of those from the levels.
I got on really well with his cousin, Rob – last seen selling fish in Budleigh Salterton. 35 years later, we’re still connected via FB.
Seriously?! How come you know his cousin’s name? I mean, I know the Levels is a bit like the Forest Of Dean, but that’s quite a coincidence.
I’m beginning to think there are more than one person from Westonzoyland…
I can see Westonzoyland from upstairs in our house. I can also see the Quantocks, Blackdowns and the crinkly bits by Langport.
When I was about 14 I went to stay with my aunt in Taunton with my mate. We absolutely loved it. My uncle took us walking in the countryside a few times and we went into town and hung out – there was a new fangled Don Miller’s Hot Bread Kitchen who did a bag of 6 jam doughnuts for bugger all so we’d gorge on them every day. That’s also where I saw Bowie do Starman on TOTP and went out and bought it town a few days later. So I have always had good feelings about Taunton.
Taunton , knowing nothing about the place, is a name that suggests ordinariness.
Taunton (the Somerset version) has at the very least one great biker pub and some fine municipal architecture to offer.
Municipal Architecture – TMFTL.
I would once have said you must have a pint of Farmer’s Glory in the pub at the middle of the village, but unfortunately the place has been commercially ruined. If you’re there at Easter, at least it won’t be heaving like it will be for the folk festival, and I’m sure you’ll find the natural beauty of the village and its surroundings are pretty wonderful, pint or otherwise.
Apart from the beer and the countryside, the main attraction of Priddy for me for many years, was the village’s adjacency to many fine Mendip caves. The superb Mendip Caving Group, one year older than I, may be able to tell you if you can dip a toe into the underworld at one of their ‘Taster Sessions’ while in the vicinity. I’d heartily recommend it as a truly amazing experience, to see what would otherwise be hidden beneath your feet!
Take a look: https://mendipcavinggroup.org.uk/
Definitely take in Wells and its magnificent Cathedral if you can.
I didn’t mean to turn this into the I hate Taunton that, honest. I just lived there for a short while more than quarter of a century ago and found it rather dull.
All feedback is good feedback – knowing where not to go is of equal value to where mustn’t be missed. I don’t think we were planning on visiting Taunton, anyhow…
I live about 10 miles outside. I can’t speak for what it was like in the 80s and 90s but as of last Monday it was a fairly pleasant rural town – not quite sure why i’s getting so much shade. I speak as someone who once lived in Andover….
Like many towns it’s ben hollowed out by the shift to online retail. Despite that, and depending on what floats your boat, there are a fair few things to see and do. I visit often during the cricket season as Somerset are reigning T20 champions. The ground sits next to the Brewhouse arts centre and in the Independent Quarter which hosts clothes, arts, multiple coffee shops and a cracking bar called Tap One, and a shop called Joan Armour Trading which is worth a visit for the name alone.
Elsewhere there’s an independent bookshop (Brendon Books), G&C Music for vinyls and instruments, a car museum (Country Classics) and a farmers market on a Thursday. I’m reliably informed Taunton Minster has tallest church tower in Somerset and just out of town you can visit Sheppy’s Cider farm.
Always happy to meet another AWer for coffee and a chat.
You had me at “vinyls”.
There is also a Waterstones, the reason I moved there for work and the only one of 3 in which I worked which is still open.
Taunting Taunton
I live in Taunton and all of the comments are correct
Quantock hills north west of Taunton if you fancy stretching your legs in the great outdoors.
If you grew up in a village in West Somerset in the 80s then Taunton was a hive of cosmopolitan sophistication.
If you want a nice pub lunch in glorious surroundings, try The George in Newton St Philip.
Absolutely, my favourite pub. Norton St Philip btw.
Duly noted 🙂
Do you like a bit of architecture? One of the best counties for Proper English ecclesiastical architecture. Abovementioned Wells Cathedral of course, but also some of the ancillary buildings to the cathedral and the school. Many, many excellent parish churches, including the alsoabovementioned Westonzoyland, but also Bruton, North Curry, Mells, North Petherton, Huish Episcopi and so many others.