Hotels in Taunton and Somerset Attractions

Hotels in Taunton: a great base for an adventure and discovery

Staying in hotels in Taunton means not only are visitors in a great town in its own right but also in the heart of a wonderful area with so much to explore that choosing where to visit it a difficult task! There are so many famous and popular attractions in Somerset that it is certainly hard to highlight only a few; some of the most popular are also some of the most diverse. One very famous place is Wookey Hole Caves which features not only stunning case to explore but many child friendly activities including a penny arcade, a soft play area, a cave museum and a pirate zone. Hotels in Taunton are a good place to begin an exploration of Somerset and there are many more fascinating attractions to enjoy as a family or otherwise. A great place to soak up some history is the Somerset Rural Life Museum; based in Glastonbury in a 14^th century barn, the museum is a vibrant record of domestic and social life in Somerset’s past. In addition to the displays of tools and equipment there is also a tea room and a museum shop where visitors can enjoy local produce.

Somerset cider and hotels in Taunton

Anyone who knows Somerset knows cider. Somerset is famous for its amazing ciders and staying in hotels in Taunton affords a wonderful opportunity to explore this historic industry and to taste some of the wares! A great place to begin your journey of discovery is at Perry’s cider museum and shop. Perry’s have been producing cider for a staggering 500 years at the family farm and it is an amazing fact that Perry’s are still using the same barn to store the apples for their cider that they were using in the `16^th century. Perry’s cider wins regular prizes and awards which is unsurprising when you consider how much practice this family have had at the art of cider making! The farm has a tea room, a shop and a museum area where some interesting old farm equipment can be seen in addition to the cider presses used in the making of Perry’s Cider. Hotels in Taunton offer a wonderful chance to newcomers to the area in that Somerset is such a special and unusual place to visit, a good base is easy to find in Somerset.

Hotels in Taunton and great accommodation

Hotels in Taunton are usually of excellent quality and a warm welcome is to be found in Somerset due mainly to the incredibly sunny nature of its inhabitants. With wonderful scenery it is small wonder that the locals are cheerful, a short break in Taunton will ensure that you can benefit from all that it has to offer. Travel in Taunton is simple even if you want to take advantage of public transport then the services in and out of Taunton are excellent and will allow you to see all there is to see in this stunning part of the UK.

Hotels in Taunton and Myths and Legends of Somerset

Hotels in Taunton and discovering Somerset’s legends

Staying in hotels in Taunton will open up the wonderful county of Somerset for your pleasure. Whatever you enjoy doing, there will be something to please all comers. This incredibly beautiful land is full of ancient history, beautiful and quaint buildings and breathtaking scenery. Somerset has long been synonymous with many myth and legends and hotels in Taunton will allow you to explore them in depth.

Hotels in Taunton and the Legend of King Arthur                                                                

The famous legend of King Arthur and his knights is as much a part of Somerset as cider. The beautiful story of the great King and his 28 knights of the round table along with Guinevere has stuck in the national and international consciousness for many centuries. The real King Arthur, if there was one, was supposed to have lived in the 6^th century and was a Christian warrior whose nobility and bravery was such that people are still wondering about him to this day. Some of the tales which have survived could be rooted in fact whilst other legends sound rather more fanciful than probable, the idea that the knights are sleeping within a deep subterranean cave until such time as their services are required again, is a romantic one although how true, we can’t possibly know. Hotels in Taunton offer a great opportunity to explore the myths and legends of King Arthur in all their wonderful romantic ideology.

Stonehenge at Glastonbury

Staying in hotels in Taunton will of course bring you one step closer to Glastonbury and Stonehenge. This world famous sight is iconic, instantly recognisable for its grandeur and its vast stone circle it continues to attract many visitors from all over the world. Heavily protected today, the stones are thought to have been brought to their current site from Wales by means of rafts and then rolled on logs to the exact spot on Salisbury Plain where they needed to be in order to catch the suns rays for various pagan worship ceremonies. Now more than 5000 years old, these stones are more ancient than the pyramids and just as mysterious.

Glastonbury and the Tor

Glastonbury Tor is the reputed resting place of King Arthur and the Holy Grail. The tradition is that Joseph of Arimathea came to Glastonbury with a chalice which contained Christ’s blood. He was then thought to have built a church on top of the Tor. The chalice is thought to be at the bottom of Chalice Well nearby and the rusty coloured water of the well adds to the idea. Staying in hotels in Taunton will be a perfect start to any break in Somerset and an excellent introduction to the larger expanse that makes up this amazing place. A truly wonderful and magical place, Glastonbury has a true sense of mystery around it and most visitors’ reports feeling a sense of enchantment whilst getting to know the area. Travel here is reliable and Glastonbury is fairly well served by public transport.

Hotels in Taunton and Fun Days Out

Staying in hotels in Taunton

Hotels in Taunton are a great way of exploring this stunning region. Somerset is a spectacular place with some of the most stunning countryside in the UK. Somerset in general is riddled with historical places, from ancient hill forts, castles and standing stones to steam railways and stately homes there is something to interest everyone. Choosing to stay in hotels in Taunton is a great idea if you are a lover of nature or a lover of historical places. Some of Taunton’s best attractions follow.

Hotels in Taunton; a gateway to the past

Somerset County Museum is a wonderful attraction if you are looking to stay in hotels in Taunton. It is based within Taunton Castle and is home to a marvellous collection of curiosities including archaeological finds, costume, a military museum and a 16^th century almshouse. You can see objects from the Low Ham Roman Mosaic and the famous Shapwick Roman coin hoard which was one of the largest hoards ever found in the U.K. The museum is within Taunton itself and so makes for an easy day out! Another wonderful gem found in Taunton is Barrow Mump. This curiously named hill is home to a ruined church which sits atop the barrow and was the scene of a dramatic retreat during the Civil War when Royalist soldiers’ fresh from a defeat at the hands of Parliamentarians at the nearby Battle of Langport fled to the safety of the ruined church. The hill has been protected by the National Trust for 50 years and is a wonderful place to visit if you are interested in seeing the scene of a truly dramatic battle. If you are going to be staying in hotels in Taunton then another must-see attraction is Castle Neroche which is located on the edge of the Blackdown Hills; this woodland is a wonderful example of English countryside and is also rife with history. Originally a small settlement over 2,600 years ago Castle Neroche is now classified an ancient monument and the area offers amazing views over the surrounding countryside.

Hotels in Taunton and children’s attractions

Staying in any one of the high quality hotels in Taunton with children is a great recipe for a fun family time. One of the best and most simple days out is a visit to Vivary Park which boasts a children’s play area, an aviary, picnic tables, a golf course a bowling club a model boat pond and a lovely Victorian bandstand. There are stunning floral displays and a fabulous area with a shop, a café and a pleasant veranda add the finishing touches to a great family location. Take a picnic or have a snack in the café, let the kids run free and kick back to enjoy Taunton at its best! Regular seasonal events make this park extra special and some notable events include the Taunton Flower Show, pop concerts and The Moscow State Circus. On Sundays from May to August, free music is played by local bands on the Bandstand from 3.00pm. Staying in hotels in Taunton is a great choice for families.

Hotels in Taunton a Mysterious County

Hotels in Taunton and strange goings on

Staying in hotels in Taunton will put you in close proximity to Taunton Castle which is an impressive and beautiful castle dating back to the Anglo Saxon period. It has been rebuilt a number of times and is reputed to be haunted by a number of spirits. The castle has a bloody past and it was the scene of the cold blooded execution of over 100 men who were put to death for their political beliefs in the 17^th century. The well known figure of Judge Jeffries, otherwise known as “The Hanging Judge” has been reportedly seen wandering the castles corridors. A reputedly cold blooded man, it is said that an atmosphere of desolation accompanies the ghost. Marching feet have also been heard around the grounds of the castle and it is thought that this phenomenon is down to the ghosts of soldiers bringing in the condemned men. A grey lady has also been reported along with a headless man and a wandering woman. As if these spectres are not enough, the castle is also reputed to have its own poltergeist which throws objects around the castle. Hotels in Taunton are an excellent choice if you fancy getting close to some of Taunton’s most famous ghosts.

Hotels in Taunton and a pub ghost

Staying in hotels in Taunton is a great choice for anyone who likes a spooky tale or two!  Taunton has many old and ancient buildings, one of which, The Crown Inn in Taunton is reportedly haunted by numerous ghosts. The building dates back as far as the 1600’s and has been an inn or drinking establishment since at least 1886. Owners have reported the ghostly figure of a man walking across the lounge and cutlery has disappeared from table’s moments after they have been laid. Staff members have maintained that tables have turned around with no human hand to assist them and swirling mists have also been reported in the upstairs areas. Staying in hotels in Taunton will be an excellent opportunity for all the family to possibly get up close and personal with a real ghost! If you don’t get lucky and spot a spectre, you can console yourself with a walk around some truly fascinating buildings and hear tales from locals who have seen a sight or two!

Hotels in Taunton and the beautiful land that is Somerset

Taunton is in a great location to explore the amazing landscape nearby; hotels in Taunton are a great way to see this area. Somerset is a stunning place and was once known as the land of the summer people, with beautiful and sandy beaches this is a special place where the landscapes beauty is not limited to its coastline but is also renowned for its woodlands, hills and moors. Somerset is synonymous with many things, fabulous cider being one of them and a visit to one of the quaint pubs dotted around Somerset’s pretty villages and towns is a great way to sample it. Hotels in Taunton are usually of great quality and the friendly locals will always give visitors a warm welcome. Once you have visited this special place you will be sue to return again and again.

Hotels in Taunton and Somerset Coast

Somerset coastal walks and hotels in Taunton

With so many great hotels in Taunton, it is very tempting to prolong a stay in Somerset in order to take in the stunning coastal scenery. Somerset boasts the longest National Trail in the form of the South West Coast Path. Starting at Minehead the trail runs no less than 630 miles and covers some amazing places. The Coast Path is unlike any other because it was originally designed to be patrolled by coastguards whose job it was to spot potential smugglers before they could do any damage. Coastguards’ cottages still line the route at intermittent places and these buildings offered shelter to the wandering coastguards whose main aim was to apprehend the dangerous and brutal smugglers who haunted this region. Staying in hotels in Taunton will undoubtedly give you a taste to discover more about Somerset and the Coastal Path is a must-see attraction.

The paths hug the edges of the cliffs very closely and this was done deliberately in order to give the coast guards the maximum chance of peering into inlets and coves where smugglers may have lain in wait or hidden supplies and even the spoils of their dishonourable trade. The paths are a rich source of history and they were a large part of many people’s lives, the coast guards children were as familiar with the paths as the adults and many would use them to travel to and from school each day whilst their Mothers used them to get to various fishing hamlets either for business or shopping.

                                          

Nature along the coastal path and hotels in Taunton

Hotels in Taunton afford the traveller to not only get closer to history but also to nature. The South West Coast Path is a naturally beautiful haven for nature in its many forms and there are a great many types of birds and insects to be seen here. Another fascinating fact about the area is that the geology is extremely variable. All kinds of stone is to be found in this area including granite, limestone and chalk. Fossils abound here with many different examples to be discovered by the casual wanderer.

The area is truly magical and many people have been inspired by it to create great art; some of those people are Coleridge who often walked parts of the route during his life, Rudyard Kipling, Agatha Christie and Barbara Hepworth; these people have all made this place even more special by spending time there. Hotels in Taunton make a great start to an epic journey and travelling from Taunton to the coastline is made simple with great public transport as well as good link by road. If you did want to walk the entire length of the South West Coastal path it would take a reasonably fit person no less than 8 weeks to complete the journey which lets face it, may not be the idea way to spend a relaxing break...unless of course you are an extremely keen rambler! Hotels in Taunton are a good way to begin thinking about such epic journey’s though...maybe over a large glass of cider!

Hotels in Kendall

Hotels in Kendal and what’s on offer

Kendal has many attractions to offer and it is little wonder that this pretty town in Cumbria has many visitors every year. Not only is Kendal just a few short miles from the sea, it is also considered to be the gateway to the Lake District and is less than 10 miles from Lake Windermere. Hotels in Kendal offer a great base from which to explore this historical and interesting place. Whatever you are interested in you will be sure to find something to please you in Kendal; from shopping arcades to museums there is a wealth of entertainment on offer!

Famous attractions and hotels in Kendal

Hotels in Kendal are excellent for those who want to learn more about this fascinating region, from its industrial past to its architectural features there are many well known and interesting points about this town. Kendal Museum is one of the oldest museums in the country and was established in 1796; it has a great collection of exhibits including pieces of archaeological interest as well as local interest items. Hotels in Kendal make this one of the easiest towns to get around as the town is compact and with a good public transport system it is simple to get around. For art lovers in Kendal there is the Abbot Hall Art Gallery which is situated in a Georgian Villa and houses some important works of art by artists such as Lucian Freud, Stanley Spencer and Barbara Hepworth. If you are a lover the arts in general then a great place to visit is The Brewery Arts Centre which offers theatre performances as well as dance and music. Hotels in Kendal are certainly not far from a wealth of interesting attractions and most visitors find that they are hard pushed to fit everything in.

Hotels in Kendal and historic buildings

There are certainly many ancient and historic buildings in Kendal to hold most visitors captivated; quaint and grand alike are easily discovered with a walk around the town and hotels in Kendal make a wonderful base from which to explore and discover. Pubs make a good beginning as there are a number of pubs in Kendal with rich histories. Stopping for a drink at any one of them is a good way of learning more about Kendal’s fascinating past. Some notable historic public houses are The Black Swan, The Rainbow Tavern and The Fleece Inn which is the oldest in Kendall and is supposed to have been built in 1654. Visiting Kendal is a great way to learn more about the history of this area in general and to enjoy a relaxing break in a town where the pace of life is gentle.

Travel within and around Kendal

Kendal is well served by public transport and whether you are arriving by rail or road you can rest assured that there is plenty of choice and some of the UK’s most famous lakes can be reached in under an hour when travelling by car. A town with many attractions, Kendall is unforgettable for those who know it and it is well worth a visit.

Hotels in Kendal; Places of Interest for Visitors

Hotels in Kendal and What to do in Cumbria

Kendal is a pretty and historically fascinating town to visit; hotels in Kendal are of high quality and well placed for visitors to explore the beautiful region that is Cumbria. Cumbria is one of the UK’s most stunning regions with the famous Lake District at its heart. The Lake District is actually a national park and is well protected in order to preserve its outstanding beauty. With amazing peaks and lakes to explore this really is a special place which will stay in your memory long after your visit ends.

Staying in hotels in Kendal and visiting other attractions

Coniston Boating Centre is a fabulous place to visit; situated on Coniston Water there are ample opportunities to take in the beautiful scenery and to hire a boat to explore the waters. With electric self-drive boats as well as rowing boats available there is something to suit everyone. For the more adventurous types, there are options for learning to sail in a dinghy as well as canoeing or kayaking. There is also a café and some adventure activities at Coniston which along with some lovely picnic spots makes this a perfect place for a family day out in Cumbria. Staying in hotels in Kendal will put you within a reasonable distance of many of Cumbria’s best attractions.

Another wonderful place to visit whilst staying in hotels in Kendal is Windermere which is close to Kendal and so makes a great place for a day out. Windermere is the UK’s largest lake and has so many attractions that an average family would be hard put to see all that is on offer! Lake cruises offer the perfect opportunity to take in as much of the beauty of this special place as possible and for fans of Beatrix Potter’s very special work, The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction is a must-see. With a recreation of the beautiful world which Beatrix Potter created, visitors can travel back in time to enjoy innocent childhood memories. For fans of the theatre the Old Laundry Theatre is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy professional performance at Cumbria’s only in-the-round theatre space. Hotels in Kendal will put you right in the heart of so much beauty and history that once you have spent one holiday there, you will be tempted to return again and again to this special place.

Hotels in Kendal and Transport

Transport in this area is excellent and visitors will benefit from regular and reliable public service. The West Coast mainline runs to the East f the Lake District and there is a direct service from Manchester. Staying in hotels in Kendal will allow you to take advantage of local train services with services calling at Kendall, Staveley and Windermere. There are very good bus services available from towns and villages including, Coniston, Keswick and Windermere with extra services laid on during the summer months. As the services available are so reliable you will find it simple to take advantage of the many wonderful sights and sounds which Cumbria has to offer.

Hotels in Kendal and Kendal History

Hotels in Kendal and Kendal’s fascinating industrial past

Hotels in Kendal will always put visitors right at the heart of a fascinating historical area. Kendal is famous for producing a number of diverse products, from shoes to snuff...and of course the world famous Kendal Mint Cake! Kendal Mint Cake is another famous export with a history dating back to 1869 when it was invented by mistake! There are three separate firms producing Kendall Mint Cake in Kendal and it is a popular choice of snack amongst ramblers, climbers and hikers due to its high energy content. The oldest firm producing mint cake is Quiggin’s who have been making the snack since 1840. Of course Kendall is famous for more than just mint cake and staying in any one of the high quality hotels in Kendal can allow those who are interested to begin a fascinating journey of discovery into the industrial past of this beautiful area. Another famous product of Kendal is Snuff! The Gawith Snuff Works have been producing snuff in the same buildings since 1792...in fact some of the original machinery is still in use today.

Hotels in Kendal and interesting buildings

There are a plethora of interesting historical buildings in Kendal which make for a pretty town which visitors from all over the world enjoy whilst staying in hotels in Kendal, whether you choose to stay on the outskirts or the centre of the town you will be sure to enjoy the spectacular views on offer. The oldest inhabited house in Kendal is picture-postcard pretty and is called The Castle Dairy; built in the early 14^th century, this house has many original features including some tiny and worn stained glass window panes depicting an Eagle looking over an infant child in a crib and the initials A. G. The house is interesting for its strange floor which is reputed to have originally been part of a Roman Road which was absorbed into the house when its west wing was extended. There is also a small chapel on the upper floor and the exterior of the building is extremely picturesque. Another building of interest is Sandes Hospital in Highgate which was built in 1659 and has always been a home for the elderly having a number of Almshouses attached to it in addition to a school. The attractive arched entrance is an arresting sight for passers by or visitors to hotels in Kendal.

Hotels in Kendal and shopping

There are some lovely shops in Kendal, both familiar chain stores and independent shops. There is a regular farmers market and some great shopping centres with gifts, fashion and souvenirs on offer. Staying in hotels in Kendal is a pleasure on so many levels that for the first time visitor there will be many sights which stick in the mind and most people who visit Kendal display a desire to return and soon! The people here are friendly and the hospitality is among the best that the UK has to offer.

Hotels in Kendal and Discovering Mysterious Cumbria

Hotels in Kendal and the mysteries of Cumbria

Cumbria has many interesting folk tales and ghost tales attached to its various ancient towns and villages; many of the lakes and peaks have long attracted the attentions of the press thanks to centuries of sightings and reported fairy stories. Staying in hotels in Kendal will put you right at the heart of a fascinating part of the UK and the legends will be hard to avid as you explore this beautiful region. Some of the most well known tales are unsolved and even the oldest still garner much interest today.

The Beast of Workington

Mysterious and large cat-like footprints have been spotted in this area of West Cumbria and very recently too! The tracks were seen in the snow by two experienced groundsmen who are well experienced in animal tracks and admitted that they had never seen the like of them before. The tracks were as large as a human hand and were seen in the grounds of Workington Reds football ground. The groundsmen who found the tracks have also spoken of a sighting of a large black cat which was tall enough to be visible from behind the seating which it was stalking. Large black cats are in fact reported to have been seen in many areas of Cumbria although confirmed sightings are very rare. It is understood that ongoing research is underway to attempt to identify the creatures responsible for the tracks. Staying in hotels in Kendal could possibly put you in a good position to spot one of the mysterious big cats of Cumbria!

Carlisle railway station and the fever pit ghosts

Beneath the hustle and bustle of Carlisle railway station is a vast network of tunnels and rooms; the Undercroft as it is called was created in 1847 due to a huge slum clearance in the area. Once the site of a terrible slum, the area was redeveloped and has now been reopened after many years of neglect. The area is dark, dank and cavernous with many strange rooms and tunnels. Some rooms were used for passengers of the past to sit and wait for trains and others were used for storage. Bizarrely it also seems from records that people were born there and also resided there, it was a residential area as well as a train station! Reports of ghostly sightings abound and they include a veiled woman who wanders the corridors on the top floor, a headless man on what was platform 8 and a pointing man who can sometimes be seen the bowels of the structure. This all contribute to what makes for a very spooky visit and sightings have been reported by staff and visitors alike. Prearranged tours are sometimes available...if you’re brave enough! Hotels in Kendal are a great place to stay if you are interested in all things spooky!

Hotels in Kendal and spooky goings-on

Staying in hotels in Kendal can really put you into the heart of the ghostly happenings of this region! One pub has a reported three ghosts including one which appears with such regularity that locals have grown used to the apparition and accept any strange happenings as a fact of life. Levens Hall is very near to Kendal and staying in hotels in Kendal will allow you to explore this apparently haunted house was built in 1580 on the sight of a much earlier building and it now boasts many ghosts including a black dog, a gypsy lady and a Nanny. If you are the type of person who enjoys a mystery, then a visit to Levens Hall could satisfy your curiosity!

Hotels in Kendal; a Gateway to the Lake District

Hotels in Kendal and where to visit locally

Kendal is situated in Cumbria and hotels in Kendal put the visitor in a fabulous location for exploring this stunning region on England. Kendal has much to offer in the way of beautiful views and picturesque architecture, but another fabulous plus to this surprising town is that it is very close to some of the famous Lakes of England. Indeed Kendal is sometimes called the Gateway to the Lake District and is only a few miles distant from Lake Windermere.

Hotels in Kendal and the Lakes

Lake Windermere is very accessible for those staying in hotels in Kendal and this stunning lake is also the largest natural lake in England. It is a popular destination for lovers of nature and also for those who love water sports. Since 2000 there have been changes in the laws governing the speeds which power boats may travel at on the lake. This has improved the tranquillity of the area to a large degree and many people are spellbound by this amazing area. Hotels in Kendal make a great base for an exploration of Cumbria and the Lake District, with many beautiful lakes and peaks to explore this are is a dream for ramblers and hikers...and also for those who just enjoy a gentle stroll!

Hotels in Kendal: Hidden Gems

If you are someone who likes to get to know every nook and cranny of a town, you certainly won’t be disappointed in Kendal. Hotels in Kendal will allow you to explore many fascinating places of interest. A historical town, Kendal boasts two ruined castles and some quaint yards and alley ways to explore. Many quaint pubs and inns are to be found in the town itself and just outside the town is some of the UK’s most beautiful countryside; but if you want to stay within the town itself then you won’t be short of things to do. Hotels in Kendal allow you to take full advantage of the cultural experiences on offer, including Abbot Hall Art Gallery which is a wonderful gallery set in a Georgian House beside the river and The Museum of Natural History and Archaeology which is one of the oldest museums in the country. Other places of interest include Castle Howe, Serpentine Woods and The Brewery Arts Centre. Kendal is an eclectic town, full of charm and English eccentricities this town is not one which is easily forgotten! Travel to Kendal is made easy by great train services and also by good motorway links. Whether you enjoy rambles in the countryside, or shopping in any one of the towns great shopping areas you will be sure to find Kendal is the kind of town where you feel at home very quickly. Plenty of pubs, cafes and restaurants ensure that you have a good choice of evening activities if you are in the mood for socialising and likewise a quiet evening in is pleasurable...this is a peaceful town with friendly residents.