Evolution Martials Arts

Just outside Taunton, Evolution Martial Arts is where you go if someone in your group actually wants to train rather than just watch. It's a proper working gym, not a tourist attraction dressed up as one, which means it's genuine but also means you need to know what you're after before you arrive.

They run classes in various martial arts disciplines - boxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, and kickboxing among them. If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks like Cornish Farm or Ashe Farm and have a teenager (or an adult) keen on combat sports, this is worth checking out. Day passes are available, and they sometimes offer introductory sessions for absolute beginners.

The facility itself is functional rather than flashy - think stripped-back gym with heavy bags, mats, and serious people who know what they're doing. It's not the place for a casual drop-in if you've never thrown a punch, but if you've got some experience or genuine interest, the instructors are knowable and will work with you.

Give yourself at least an hour if you're doing a class. Check their website for the current timetable and pricing, as both shift seasonally. The location near Taunton makes it accessible from any of the three touring parks within a five-mile radius, so it could slot nicely into a week where you want an active morning rather than another country walk.