Street

Glastonbury's spiritual shadow falls heavily here, but Street has carved out its own quiet identity beyond the mysticism. This Somerset town sits in the heart of the Levels, where the flat, drained marshland stretches towards distant hills and the landscape feels almost Dutch in its horizontal sweep.

Clark's Village dominates the high street - the famous shoe company's outlet centre draws shoppers from across the West Country. But venture beyond the retail therapy and you'll find proper Somerset countryside. Wearyall Hill offers cracking views across the Levels, while the ancient Meare Fish House reminds you this was once underwater territory, managed by medieval monks for their fishponds.

The Strode Theatre punches above its weight for a town this size, hosting everything from amateur dramatics to touring productions. Meanwhile, St Patrick's Chapel sits quietly by the roadside, a modest Norman survivor that most visitors miss entirely. Smart move - it's far more atmospheric than Glastonbury's crowded abbey ruins.

Park Wood provides decent walking when the Levels feel too exposed, and the viewing platforms scattered around town give you a proper sense of how this landscape works - all drainage channels, withies and distant church towers poking above the treeline.

From Bridgwater, it's a straightforward 20-minute drive down the A39. The M5 junction at Bridgwater makes this surprisingly accessible from Bristol or Birmingham. Staying at one of the local touring parks puts you bang in the middle of Somerset's most distinctive landscape, with Wells Cathedral just 20 minutes away and Bath reachable in under an hour.