Things to do in Somerset
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Wells Cathedral
Set in a marvellous medieval close, the Cathedral Church of St Andrew was built in stages between 1180 and 1508. The building incorporates several Gothic styles, but its most famous asset is the wonderful west front, an immense sculpture gallery decorated with more than 300 figures, built in the 13th century and restored to its original splendour in 1986. The facade would once have been painted in vivid colours, but has long since reverted to its original sandy hue. Apart from the figure of Christ, installed in 1985 in the uppermost niche, all the figures are original.
Inside, the most striking feature is the pair of scissor arches that separate the nave from the choir, de…
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Glastonbury Tor
The iconic hump of Glastonbury Tor looms up from flat fields to the northwest of town. This 160m-high grassy mound provides glorious views over the surrounding countryside, and a focal point for a bewildering array of myths. According to some it's the home of a faery king, while an old Celtic legend identifies it as the stronghold of Gwyn ap Nudd (ruler of Annwyn, the Underworld) – but the most famous legend identifies the tor as the mythic Isle of Avalon, where King Arthur was taken after being mortally wounded in battle by his nephew Mordred, and where Britain's 'once and future king' sleeps until his country calls again.
Whatever the truth of the legends, the tor has …
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Glastonbury Abbey
Legend has it that Joseph of Arimathea, great-uncle of Jesus, owned mines in this area and returned here with the Holy Grail (the chalice from the Last Supper) after the death of Christ. Joseph supposedly founded England's first church on the site, now occupied by the ruined abbey, but the earliest proven Christian connection dates from the 7th century, when King Ine gave a charter to a monastery in Glastonbury. In 1184 the church was destroyed by fire and reconstruction began in the reign of Henry II.
In 1191, monks claimed to have had visions confirming hints in old manuscripts that the 6th-century warrior-king Arthur and his wife Guinevere were buried in the abbey groun…
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Chalice Well & Gardens
People have been dunking, drinking and paddling at the Chalice Well & Gardens, a natural spring just below Glastonbury Tor, for at least 2000 years. The rust-red waters from this ancient well are rumoured to have healing properties, good for everything from eczema to smelly feet. Their distinctive crimson colour supposedly stems from the burial of the Holy Grail nearby, although it's actually a result of iron deposits in the soil.
The well is surrounded by lovely gardens dotted with babbling pools and gnarled yew trees, and you can fill up your flasks with the sacred water from a lion's-head spout.
The Chalice Well is also known as the 'Red Spring' or 'Blood Spring'; its s…
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Bishop's Palace
Beyond the cathedral, the moated 13th- century Bishop's Palace is a real delight. Purportedly the oldest inhabited building in England, ringed by water and surrounded by a huge fortified wall, the palace complex contains several fine Italian Gothic state rooms, an imposing Great Hall and beautiful tree-shaded gardens. The natural wells that gave the city its name bubble up in the palace's grounds, feeding the moat and the fountain in the market square. The swans in the moat have been trained to ring a bell outside one of the windows when they want to be fed.
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Lake Village Museum
Upstairs from Glastonbury's tourist office, in the medieval courthouse, the Lake Village Museum displays finds from a prehistoric bog village discovered in nearby Godney. The houses in the village were clustered in about six groups and were built from reeds, hazel and willow. It's thought they were occupied by summer traders who lived the rest of the year at Glastonbury Tor.
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Wells Museum
Surrounding Wells Cathedral is a cluster of ecclesiastical buildings that form the medieval Cathedral Close. The Vicars' Close is a cobbled alley of 14th-century houses, thought to be the oldest medieval street in Europe; nearby is the 15th-century Old Deanery and the Wells Museum, with exhibits on local life, cathedral architecture and the archaeological finds of Wookey Hole.
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Shoe Museum
A couple of miles south of Glastonbury is Street, once the site of Britain's largest shoe factory, Clark's. The footwear factory's long since hiked overseas, but the town's shoe connections continue at the huge Clark's factory-outlet shop and a rather odd Shoe Museum, which explores the history of shoemaking from Roman sandals to high-heeled stilettos.
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Heaphy's
Squeeze into one of the benches at this chaotic Glasto fave and settle in; the food might take a while. When it does you'll find hearty pizzas, doorstop sarnies and hot chillies on your plate, washed down with English tea or fresh-squeezed fruit juice (organic and ethical, of course).
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Cafe Romna
More exotic flavours come to the fore at this Bangladeshi fusion restaurant, which exchanges the usual bhuna and bhaji for more unusual regional dishes such as Thither Loboori (chargrilled pheasant with Bangladeshi beans) and Chingri Keemawala (prawns and lamb cooked in a cheesy garlic sauce).
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Old Spot
Little Wells conceals a culinary star in the shape of the Old Spot, run by renowned chef Ian Bates. It's a favourite with the foodie guides and the Sunday supplements, and the menu specialises in giving a modern twist to old country favourites – saddle of pork, smoked eel, rabbit stew.
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Rainbow's End
A Glasto classic, this charming wholefood cafe cooks up generous portions of veggie chilli, fresh quiches and hearty soups, served up in a cheery dining room dotted with potted plants and mix-and-match furniture, plus a little patio out back. The homemade cakes are particularly yummy.
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Vicars' Close
Surrounding Wells Cathedral is a cluster of ecclesiastical buildings that form the medieval Cathedral Close. The Vicars' Close is a cobbled alley of 14th-century houses, thought to be the oldest medieval street in Europe.
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Goodfellows
Two eateries rolled into one. Downstairs is a super café-bakery , which rustles up treats like goats' cheese bruschetta and handmade pastries, while upstairs is a more formal seafood bistro . The quality of the food in both is top-drawer, and it's a favourite with Wells' ladies who lunch.
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Rural Life Museum
Somerset's agricultural heritage is explored at the Rural Life Museum, which contains a varied collection of artefacts relating to traditional trades such as willow growing, peat digging, cider making and cheese making. There are often live displays of local skills, so if you fancy trying your hand at beekeeping, lace making and spinning, this is the place to do it. The late 14th-century tithe barn has fine carvings on the gables and porch, and an impressive timber roof; it now houses a collection of vintage agricultural machinery.
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Mocha Berry
This ever-popular cafe is the top spot in Glastonbury for a frothy latte, a fresh milkshake or a stack of breakfast pancakes.
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Hundred Monkeys Cafe
Surprisingly sleek bistro, decked out with leather sofas, pine tables and a big blackboard listing fresh pastas, salads and mains. If you've a spare half-hour ask about the origin of the name – the original 100th monkey.
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Mystical Tours of Glastonbury
Guided tours to Wearyall Hill, Gog and Magog and Glastonbury Tor, offered by suitably alternative types based at the Gothic Image bookshop (next to the tourist office).
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Pickwicks
Soup of the day, paninis and sarnies are the mainstays at this little pine-finished café; it's also a good bet for afternoon tea and sweet-tooth spoils.
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Goddess Tours
Visiting white witches will want to join one of the tours offered by the Priestesses of Avalon, devotees of the matriarchal 'Goddess' religious order.
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Wells & Mendip Museum
Surrounding Wells Cathedral is a cluster of ecclesiastical buildings that form the medieval Cathedral Close. The Vicars' Close is a cobbled alley of 14th-century houses, thought to be the oldest medieval street in Europe; nearby is the 15th-century Old Deanery and the Wells Museum, with exhibits on local life, cathedral architecture and the archaeological finds of Wookey Hole.
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Rocksport
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Forde Abbey
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Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company
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