Local Activities
What’s on offer in Somerset and the surrounding area
Glorious Somerset
Staying in the beautiful Somerset countryside which surrounds the North Cadbury Court estate offers our guests almost unlimited possibilities and ways to make the most of your visit.
Walking Tours
If you’re looking for a country escape with time spent exploring the great outdoors, we have so many options right on our doorstep. Numerous footpaths surround our estate and Cadbury Castle, also part of the estate, is just a mile away. This famed ancient hill fort has had numerous archaeological digs and is thought by many to be the location of Camelot from the legend of King Arthur. From the top of the hill you can see for miles around and on a good clear day right out to Glastonbury Tor. With many fantastic country pubs within walking distance, you can easily plan a walk that takes in the scenery and includes a pub lunch.
Please note access to the house and surrounding gardens is not permitted, unless you are also hiring the main property.
Exmoor and Stonehenge
Just over an hour away is Exmoor National Park, on the Somerset and Devon border. This ancient segment of the south west stretches from sea to rocky hill scapes and has been a national park since 1954. Exmoor was traditionally an ancient royal hunting forest, renowned for the stags that lived there. The national park is abundant with different types of life from the wild to the ancient woodland, it is also home to the highest point in Somerset, Dunkery Beakon, which is 519 metres above sea level.
Stonehenge is 45 mins away. This World Heritage Site is the best known prehistoric monument in Europe and features a fantastic visitor centre. With a history spanning more than 4,500 years it has something for everyone, from history to spirituality.
A bit closer to North Cadbury village is the National Trust property of Stourhead. This grand country estate and landscaped gardens have been open to the public since the 1740s and are described as ‘a living work of art’. A trip to Stourhead makes a lovely afternoon out, where you can take a tour of the house and learn about its history, enjoy a picnic on the lawns and wonder around its beautiful lake and gardens. Closer still is Glastonbury Tor, which while is a bit of effort to walk up to it, does have splendid views and is basked in history itself; featuring tales of fairies, the Holy Grail and even King Arthur – again linking our local Cadbury Castle to the Arthurian legend.
Shopping
We’re very lucky to not only have small and quaint market towns with splendid shops, but also larger shopping destinations all within easy reach of North Cadbury.
Bruton, fast becoming the coolest town in the west country, has had an influx of art galleries, lovely shops, hip places to eat and quirky places to stay in the last few years. It is 15 minutes away by car.
Sherborne, less than 10 miles away and just over the border into Dorset, is a small market town full of independent shops and lovely cafes and restaurants. The town features old castle ruins, the newer Sherborne Castle, Sherborne Abbey and is home to several independent schools.
Clarks Village
Another shopping destination in the heart of Somerset is Clarks Village, located on the old factory site of the world famous Clarks shoes brand. Clarks Village has been open to the public for nearly 30 years and has visitors from all over the world, looking for deals on some of the latest fashion brands. People are always surprised by how many shops are located at Clarks, with brands such as Barbour, Le Creuset, Radley and many others, with more than 90 brands in total.
Other shopping destinations all within an hour of North Cadbury are: Bath – the largest and most beautiful city in Somerset, Bristol with its two shopping centres, busy city centre and vibrant culture and Exeter, which has been heavily invested in to make it a shopping destination for many in the south west.
Arts and Culture
Somerset is home to some amazing destinations, just a few miles from Bruton is where you can find Hauser & Wirth Somerset, a pioneering world class gallery and multi purpose art centre which is a destination for those who visit to experience art, architecture and the Somerset landscape. Featuring an impressive landscaped garden and outdoor sculptures that change regularly with the seasons, galleries showcasing a range of art from artists around the world and finished off with the Roth Bar and Grill, serving seasonally locally sourced produce in their on site restaurant. Produce and gifts are also for sale in their farm shop.
Up the road is The Newt in Somerset, a country estate that has been stunningly renovated to feature landscaped gardens, woodland and farmland. Visitors are welcome to explore the grounds, view the artistically maintained gardens where produce is grown for the restaurant, farm shop and café and learn about modern and traditional farming methods.
The small market town of Glastonbury on the Somerset levels is steeped in history, myth and quirkiness. Filled with museums, shops and attractions it is quite possibly like nowhere else, from visiting the Tor to looking round the eclectic mix of shops, museums and art galleries. Glastonbury is also home to the famous festival, although the actual site is situated just outside in the village of Pylle. The town itself is classically English, although its history and fables is unlike any other town.
Education
Somerset and the surrounding area is home to some of the finest schools in England, and most are within half an hour’s drive of North Cadbury. So if you’re thinking of visiting to look around one of the local schools, our cottages make the perfect location. If one of your children or grandchildren attends the local schools then staying in North Cadbury gives you the perfect opportunity to visit your loved ones. With Millfield School based in Street, Kings Bruton, Sherborne Boys and Girls Schools and Sherborne International School all based locally, North Cadbury Court Coach House and Yacht Club make the perfect location for visiting.