Historic towns and villages in Somerset

One of the prettiest villages in Exmoor (and that's really a compliment!), Selworthy is part of the Holnicote Estate, owned by the National Trust. This idyllic village is known for its picture postcard collection of whitewashed thatched cottages. The 14th century All Saints church boasts a 12th-century font and an 18th century gallery. A medieval cross shaft stands in the churchyard.
Selworthy, Exmoor, Somerset, England

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Known as the Ancient Royal Town of Wessex, Somerton is an ancient market town set upon a hilltop high above the surrounding countryside. Somerton dates back to the Roman period, when there were a number of villas in the region, but was not until the Roman's departed that the town really began to prosper.
Somerton, Somerset, England

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Stogumber is a pretty village in beautiful countryside between the Quantocks and the Brendon Hills. The parish church of St Mary dates to the 14th century and boasts an ornate memorial to Sir George Sydenham, father-in-law of Sir Francis Drake. There are several attractive thatched cottages in the village.
Stogumber, Somerset, England

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Heritage Highlight: 14th-century St Mary's Church

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Stogursey is a pretty village between the Quantocks and the sea. The village boasts a 12th-century moated castle once owned by two queens, a medieval holy well, a Norman church with two effigies of knights, and the scanty remains of a 12th-century priory.
Stogursey, Somerset, England

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Heritage Highlight: Moated 12th-century Stogursey Castle

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Taunton is the county town of Somerset, with a history going back to the Saxon era. You can explore that history at the Museum of Somerset, which is housed in Taunton's historic 12th-century castle. A short stroll from the castle brings you to St Mary Magdalene Church, which boasts perhaps the finest medieval tower in England.
Taunton, Somerset, England

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Heritage Highlight: Taunton Castle, now the Somerset County Museum

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Watchet is a historic town on the Bristol Channel centred around a medieval harbour. The story of Watchet is recounted in the Market House Museum beside the harbour, where you can learn about the Saxon mint that was located here and the role of a castle built by Alfred the Great on the cliffs above the town.
B3191, Watchet, Somerset, England

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Heritage Highlight: Medieval harbour

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Wedmore is a pretty village on a rise overlooking the Somerset Levels. It is remembered for the Peace of Wedmore, an AD 878 treaty between Alfred the Great and the Danes, that established the Danelaw.
B3139, Somerset, England

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Heritage Highlight: Links to Alfred the Great and the Peace of Wedmore

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Wellington is a pretty market town in Somerset, with a history going back to the Saxon era. Trace the town's history in the Wellington Museum, housed in a historic 17th-century former inn, where you learn how the town gave its name to Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington and victor of Waterloo.
B3187, Wellington, Somerset, England

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Heritage Highlight: 15th-century St John's Church

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The smallest city in England, Wells boasts a magnificent medieval cathedral. Wells Cathedral is one of the architectural highlights of Britain, replete with intricate Gothic carvings, a unique scissors vault to brace the building against shifting medieval foundations, and a marvellous chapter house. Close by is the moated medieval palace of the Bishops of Bath and Wells. The market place is ringed by pretty timber-framed buildings. Nearby is Wookey Hole show caves, and it is a short drive to the nature reserve at Ebbor Gorge.
Wells, Somerset Levels, Somerset, England

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Winsford is one of the prettiest Exmoor village, set beside the River Exe in beautiful moorland countryside. Thatched cottages abound, and the local Royal Oak Inn may date to the 12th century. A cobbled ford leads to the medieval parish church of St Mary Magdalene.
Winsford, Exmoor, Somerset, England

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Heritage Highlight: The medieval Royal Oak Inn

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