Paper Making Museum

Victorian machinery still churns away at this working paper mill just outside Wells, where you can watch traditional papermaking methods that haven't changed in centuries. The museum sits in Wookey Hole's old mill buildings, and while most visitors come for the caves, this little industrial corner deserves proper attention.

Families with curious children will find plenty to hold their interest - there's something mesmerising about watching pulp transform into actual sheets of paper through old wooden presses and metal rollers. The guides know their stuff and aren't shy about letting kids get hands-on with the process. History enthusiasts will appreciate the Victorian steam engines and waterwheel that still power parts of the operation.

What makes this place special is that it's not just a display - they're still making paper here for artists and craftspeople. You can buy sheets fresh from the presses, which makes for a proper souvenir rather than the usual tourist tat.

Allow about an hour to see everything properly, though paper-obsessed kids might want longer. It pairs well with a stay at any of the nearby holiday parks around Wells - Bucklegrove Holiday Park and Cheddar Camping and Caravanning Club Site are both within easy reach. The location means you're perfectly placed for exploring both the Mendip Hills and the Somerset Levels without too much driving about.