Outdoor activities and adventures
The Mendip Hills and Somerset Levels provide an opportunity for nature watching and all sorts of activities, including horse riding, walking, cycling, mountain biking and, for the more adventurous, hot-air ballooning, kayaking the local waterways, caving, rock climbing and abseiling. Most can be booked from the cottage; ask us and we will point you to the providers we trust.
Hot-air ballooning
A wonderful way to see this beautiful countryside. Aerosaurus Balloons fly from Castle Cary, eight miles from the cottage, at dawn and dusk, drifting over the Levels with the Tor on the horizon. Book well ahead and be prepared for weather cancellations. ballooning.co.uk
Cycling
Explore the gentle, flat Avalon Marshes and the wetlands of the Somerset Levels on quiet drove roads, or tackle the climbs of the Mendips. National Cycle Route 3 passes through Glastonbury and Wells. Bike hire, including e-bikes, is available in Glastonbury. visitsomerset.co.uk
Golf
With over forty golf courses in Somerset there is plenty of choice. Wells Golf Club and Mendip Golf Club at Gurney Slade are the closest, with Burnham & Berrow, a championship links, on the coast. visitsomerset.co.uk
Climbing and caving
Caves, cliffs, crags and quarries: the Mendips have some of the best climbing and caving in the country, suitable for beginners and experienced adventurers. Cheddar Gorge offers guided climbing, abseiling and caving sessions; Swildon's Hole and Goatchurch Cavern are classic beginner caves with local guides. visitsomerset.co.uk
Kayaking and paddleboarding
The rivers and rhynes of the Levels are flat, calm and full of wildlife. Guided kayak and paddleboard trips run on the River Brue and the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal, and the Wimbleball and Cheddar reservoirs offer open water.
Horse riding
Several riding centres within a few miles offer hacks across the Levels and the Mendips for all abilities, and the bridleways on Pennard Hill start at our gate for guests who bring their own horses (stabling can be arranged nearby).
Fishing
Coarse fishing on the Somerset rivers and drains is famous for its pike, tench and carp; day tickets are available locally. Fly fishing on the Blagdon and Chew Valley lakes, north of the Mendips, is some of the best stillwater trout fishing in England.
Running and swimming
The lanes and drove roads make traffic-free running routes, Glastonbury has a leisure centre with a pool, and wild swimmers head for the River Frome at Farleigh Hungerford, home of Britain's oldest river swimming club.
Skydiving and flying
Tandem skydives run from Dunkeswell on the Blackdown Hills, and gliding and flying lessons are available at Halesland on the Mendips and at Compton Abbas.
Back at the cottage
After a day of adventure, the hot tub is waiting, there is a boot room for muddy kit and a washer-dryer in the pantry. For gentler pursuits there is badger watching from the garden spotlight, the carp pond to feed and a thousand stars on the pod ceiling.
Adventure by day, luxury by night
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