Around North Petherton, Somerset and the Local Area
There is lots to see and do in our local area, around Somerset, Bridgwater and Taunton.
Historic Sites and Attractions
Hestercombe Gardens
Hestercombe Gardens is a great day out in over 40 acres of walks, streams, formal terraces, woodlands and lakes. These magnificent gardens a unique combination of three period gardens – the Georgian landscape, Victorian terrace and Edwardian formal garden, all restored to their original splendor. Hestercombe is situated just off the A38, just a few miles from The Walnut Tree Hotel.Dunster Castle and Gardens
Dunster Castle, run by The National Trust, offers 1000 years of history and a castle full of stories. Dunster Castle is on the A39 heading towards Minehead, on the Somerset coast.Taunton Heritage Trail
The Taunton Heritage Trail is a self-guided circular walk leading visitors past some great places of interest, some dating back to 1614. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to get into Taunton from The Walnut Tree.Glastonbury Tor
Glastonbury Tor, often called the “Holy Hill”, features the roofless St Michael’s tower. In early-medieval times there was a small monks’ retreat on top of the Tor, thought to be founded in the time of St Patrick in the mid 400s. The Tor is now owned and cared for by the National Trust and there is free access to the public at all times. To get to Glastonbury takes about 25 minutes.Maunsel House
Maunsel House, in the next village to North Petherton, is a magnificent 13th Century Manor set at the heart of a 2,000 acre estate, with farms, lakes, woodlands, walnut groves, orchards, Somerset wetlands, cottages and ancient barns. Currently the Ancestral seat of the Slade Family and home of Sir Benjamin Slade Bt, the house can boast such visitors as Geoffrey Chaucer, who wrote part of the Canterbury Tales whilst staying here. It is available for exclusive hire to host weddings, house parties and corporate events. In conjunction with events at Maunsel House we can offer accommodation at The Walnut Tree Hotel.
Family Fun
Brean Leisure Park
Brean Leisure Park is an adventure Park in Brean, near Burnham-on-Sea, with a variety of rides and attractions, plus an indoor and outdoor swimming complex. About 20 minutes away from The Walnut Tree Hotel.Cheddar
Nearby Cheddar has a variety of attractions :- Open Top Bus Tour – see the mill-ponds, where gunpowder manufacturing originated, and the rocky crags which delighted the Romantic Movement
- Cheddar Man – Museum of Prehistory – The mysterious burial place of Cheddar Man, a Mesolithic hunter gatherer
- Cheddar Gorge – Gough’s Cave, with its beautiful stalactites and stalagmites, Cox’s Cave and the Crystal Quest
Animal Farm Adventure Park
Animal Farm Adventure Park caters for the younger generation, with play areas, “cuddle time” where the children can pet various animals and it an education centre to help the children learn at the same time as having fun. It is Burnham-on-Sea, about 15 minutes from the hotel.Tropiquaria Zoo
Tropiquaria Zoo is a place for both adults and children with animals, a radio museum and children’s play area. Tropiqauria Zoo is in Watchet, about 25 minutes from the hotel.Wookey Hole Caves
Wookey Hole Caves has world famous caves, a Dinosaur Valley with 20 life size dinosaurs and even golf. It is about 30 minutes from the hotel.Golf
Enmore Golf Club, in the shadow of the Quantock Hills and just 3 miles from Bridgwater, offers an 18 hole, par 71 course, of 6,453 yards with 360 degree views out over the Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Taunton
Taunton, the County Town of Somerset, is a 15 minute car journey from the hotel. Taunton Cricket Ground hosts many national and international cricket teams throughout the summer. Vivary Park Gardens is the venue for the annual Taunton Flower show, and in the centre of Taunton you can visit the museum which is part of the 12th Century castle. It achieved notoriety in 1685 as the setting for Judge Jeffrey’s “bloody assizes” following the Monmouth rebellion.