Dukes Paddock

A short walk from Taunton takes you to Dukes Paddock, a modest but rather lovely open space that punches above its weight for a quick afternoon outing. It's one of those places locals know and visitors often miss - a patch of Somerset countryside where you can actually breathe properly and watch the light change across the fields.

You'll find it's straightforward walking terrain, nothing taxing. The paddock itself is open grassland with decent views across to the Blackdown Hills, and there's something genuinely restorative about standing there after time in town. It's the sort of spot where families with younger kids won't overstay their welcome - an hour does it nicely - but walkers heading out from Taunton often use it as part of a longer route through the surrounding footpaths.

What makes it work is the lack of fuss. No gift shop, no café nonsense, just actual countryside on the doorstep. The best time is late afternoon when the sun picks out the ridgelines, and it's properly quiet on weekdays. Weekends can get busier, but nowhere near rammed.

If you're staying at Waterrow Touring Park or Middle Stone Farm Glamping, neither more than six miles away, it's an easy detour worth adding to your itinerary. Pair it with a proper walk through the surrounding area and you've got yourself a proper Somerset afternoon. Not flashy, but genuine.