Taunton

Steam trains and cider farms dot the landscape around Somerset's market town of Taunton, where the Quantock Hills roll down to meet the Bristol Channel coast. The West Somerset Railway chugs through nearby stations at Washford and Watchet, carrying visitors on a proper heritage line through some of England's most unspoilt countryside.

Watchet makes for a cracking day out, with its working harbour still landing catches and The Radio Museum celebrating the town's connection to Marconi's wireless experiments. The Ancient Mariner gallery pays homage to Coleridge, who found inspiration walking these very hills. Daw's Castle offers spectacular views across the channel, while Torre Cider Farm serves up tastings of Somerset's liquid gold.

Black Down Wood provides excellent walking, especially in spring when the bluebells are out. The Quantocks stretch endlessly westward - these aren't towering peaks but proper rolling countryside where red deer still roam free. Trowden Wood and Highbeck Covert offer quieter trails if you fancy escaping the crowds.

Taunton sits perfectly positioned for exploring both coast and countryside, with the M5 providing easy access from Bristol or Exeter. The town itself has a lively market and decent shopping, though it's the surrounding landscape that really draws visitors.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks puts you within easy reach of both the seaside towns along the coast and the walking country inland. Warren Bay and the other coastal sites offer direct beach access, while the inland parks provide a peaceful base for exploring the Quantocks. It's well worth the drive from London - this corner of Somerset feels properly away from it all.