Frome is a historic market town with indie shops and a vibrant community. Its cobbled streets wind past boutiques, bookshops and artisan cafés, and there’s a strong sense of local pride in its creative scene.

It’s easy to see why Frome is regularly named among the best places to live in Britain. The town feels energetic, but grounded and stylish but still with that Somerset charm.

Frome works particularly well as a base if you’d like to explore beyond the town itself. Bath is within easy reach, as is Longleat and the Mendip Hills.

The much-loved Frome Independent Market (held on the first Sunday of the month from March to December) is also not to be missed and transforms the town into a mini festival of local food, makers, homewares and live entertainment. If your trip coincides with it, it’s definitely worth planning around.

Although officially a city, due to its stunning cathedral, Wells feels far more like a well-preserved market town. It’s compact, easy to explore on foot and attractive without feeling grand or busy.

At its centre stands Wells Cathedral, a 12th-century landmark that shapes much of the city’s character. Just next door, The Bishop’s Palace offers gardens and views back towards the cathedral, while Vicars’ Close, often described as Europe’s oldest intact residential street is another beautiful place to visit.

The centre has a good mix of independent shops, cafés and traditional pubs, and the regular market is well worth a visit. Everything is within walking distance, which makes it an easy, unhurried place to base yourself.

The surrounding countryside, including the Mendip Hills, is close at hand, making it simple to combine town exploring and scenic countryside in the same trip.

Langport is a historic market town set along the River Parrett. It’s small (one of the smallest towns in England) and while it gets busier in summer, it rarely feels overrun.

The river is central to life here. The River Parrett runs through the town, with access points for kayaking and paddleboarding, and level paths for walking or cycling along the Parrett Trail. In warmer weather, the grassy banks fill with people enjoying the water, but it rarely feels crowded.

The high street is lined with independent shops, including traditional butchers and bakers, alongside cafés and small local businesses. There are also nearby cider producers such as Harry’s Cider and Bere Cider Company, which add to the area’s strong local food and drink culture. As a bonus, parking in the town is free.

Langport sits within the Somerset Levels, a low-lying wetland landscape known for wildlife, archaeology and seasonal starling murmurations. It’s a good base for exploring this part of the county, particularly if you prefer flatter terrain and waterside walks to hills and moorland.

Dunster is a well-preserved medieval village on the edge of Exmoor National Park. Its streets are lined with historic buildings, many of them listed, with the layout of the village still reflecting its medieval past.

Overlooking the village is Dunster Castle, a National Trust property set within beautiful, large gardens. In the centre of the village stands the 17th-century Yarn Market, once used for the local wool trade, alongside other historic buildings including the Tithe Barn and an old packhorse bridge.

Despite its popularity, Dunster remains small in scale best explored on foot. There’s a fabulous selection of traditional pubs and tearooms sitting among the historic streets, perfect for adding a rest to the exploring.

Dunster is also well placed for combining heritage with coastline. Dunster Beach is a short distance away, and the seaside town of Minehead can be reached on foot or by a short drive.

Glastonbury may be world-famous for its iconic music festival, but it offers so much more than what defines it during the last weekend of June each year.

At its heart are some of Somerset’s most recognisable historic sites. Glastonbury Abbey marks the remains of one of Britain’s most important monastic foundations, while Glastonbury Tor rises above the town and offers fabulous views across the surrounding countryside. Chalice Well sits at the foot of the Tor, known for its gardens and natural spring.

Glastonbury has long been linked to Arthurian legend and spiritual traditions, and that influence is visible in the town’s independent shops and alternative businesses. The high street is almost entirely free of national chains, giving it a character that feels distinct from other Somerset towns.

Beyond the centre, the surrounding landscape provides walking routes and open countryside, making it easy to combine time in town with time outdoors.

For culture, architecture and restorative weekends, Bath is walkable, beautiful and ideal for a spa-led escape. Well known as a premier UK wellness destination with a history of relaxation dating back to Roman times, you can experience natural, mineral-rich thermal waters at Thermae Bath Spa, stroll past Georgian landmarks such as Royal Crescent, with no shortage of fabulous restaurants and cafés.

Bath is pedestrian-friendly and filled with honey-coloured stone buildings.Major attractions such as the Roman Baths and Pulteney Bridge sit within walking distance of independent boutiques, cafés and restaurants, making it wonderful to explore at a slower pace.

Often considered one of the more romantic cities in the UK, Bath has also served as a filming location for Bridgerton. It works particularly well for a two or three-night stay, especially if you want to combine sightseeing with time to unwind.

Minehead is a traditional seaside town on the edge of Exmoor National Park, making it a great base for combining coast and moorland in one stay.

The town has a long sandy beach, a small harbour and provides the start (or end) point of the South West Coast Path. The West Somerset Railway runs from Minehead through the countryside towards Bishops Lydeard, adding another option for exploring the area.

Minehead itself has a mix of high-street shops and independent cafés, galleries and gift shops, particularly along The Avenue. The food scene focuses more on traditional pubs and casual seaside dining rather than fine dining but the overall atmosphere provides a classic British seaside experience.

Cheddar is best known for its cheese and gorge, a deep, winding cut through the Mendip Hills with sheer limestone cliffs rising above the road. It’s one of the most visually dramatic spots in Somerset and surprisingly compact once you’re there.

The three-mile cliff-top loop is the main draw, with big views back across the reservoir and surrounding countryside. There’s also Gough’s Cave, small independent shops, and the long-established Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company if you want something local to take home.

The village itself is small but busy, especially in summer, and works well as a base if you want walking on the Mendips without feeling completely rural.