Husband likes to take me to less touristy spots on the weekends - get some exercise in and some…read morefresh air. Goal was to check out the Abbotsbury area and meander along Chesil Beach. The gardens are absolutely stunning. At first I though it might be a collection of greenhouses, to contain the various tropical vegetation. But being the Jurassic Coast, the weather is quite mild so the plants are able to survive quite nicely outdoors. The gardens are split up into themes/areas - Victorian, Secret, Sino (chinese/japanese) etc. And the paths are quite clearly marked - with one path fairly easy to navigate if you have any mobility issues, and they don't cheap out on the accessible route, it's well laid out so that even the most mobility challenged can get a thorough experience of the gardens. Even though we went in the middle of September - not the most prime time to see any flowers in full bloom - we saw enough to entrance us. We had lunch in the canteen/cafe, and that was laid out like an old fashioned plantation house - with a lovely well shaded Edwardian veranda. Husband had the homity pie, which is a cheesy vegetarian pie whilst I had the bog standard Ham, Eggs & Chips - all very scrummy.

Unfortunately, unimpressed. Especially the £12 entrance fee. I've been to many gardens throughout…read morethe country and this was not exactly up to par with those. May have been great in its earlier years.

The Bridgwater Carnival is the largest of several carnivals which tour towns in central Somerset,…read moreto celebrate the anniversary of the 1605 gunpowder plot, when Guy Fawkes failed to blow up the English Houses of Parliament. The Carnival is a dramatic, illuminated procession of about 100 floats, each lit by thousands of light bulbs. Each float is built (in great secrecy) by a Carnival club representing a town, pub or place of work in the area, with widely varying themes. It claims to be the largest illuminated carnival in the world, attracting over 150,000 visitors. A unique feature of the Bridgwater Carnival is the tradition of 'squibbing', which takes place after the procession. Squibs are huge hand-held fireworks, and about 100 are lit at once in a dramatic (and slightly scary!) display. (The practice gives its name to the English expression of 'a damp squib', which refers to a non-event.) The entire event is organised by volunteers and raises money for charity. This also gives a rather attractive 'homely' feel, as entries vary from fabulous floats to individual children dressed up in odd constumes.. The web-site gives full details of how to watch the procession (early arrival is essential as many main roads are closed for the event) and alternative venues in the different towns of the circuit - Burnham-on-Sea, Wells, Glastonbury and Weston-super-Mare. The web-site also has a photograph gallery from previous processions and video clips of squibbing. Wikipedia has an excellent review of the history of the Carnival with some great photographs at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Country_Carnival

The Bridgwater Carnival has a long history in Bridgwater. Its always held on the Thursday nearest 5…read moreNovember in celebration of Guy Fawkes Day. Loads of the residents of Bridgwater and the surrounding towns and villages are involved with the carnival clubs and spend the year raising money and creating the carnival floats. Most of the floats now-a-days are technically quite impressive with loads of light bulbs and moving parts. A lot of effort is made with the floats and some of the tableus are very impressive. It is funny that there are the same themes every year, you can always bet on seeing carnival carts with the following themes; cowboys and indians, pirates, jesters, disney charactors and grown men dressed as babies! After the carnival is the Squibbing, a squib is a very large firework with a long wooden handle and 100 of these are lit and carried in a parade through the town centre, by Squibbers in old fashioned costumes.

Just got back from Glasto and the first thing I have to say is it has grown a lot since I last went…read morein 1985. 170,000 odd people in the one place, with no trouble and a brilliant vibe.long may it continue. Michael Evis is to be congratulated for sticking to his guns with Jay Z, who whilst wasn't my cup'o'tea, seemed to impress most people. To fully appreciate the magnitude of Glastonbury, you have to climb to the highest points and it is only then that you will start to understand the effort that must go into getting the festival on. Hundreds of shops, restaurants, cafes, bars and THE CIDER BUS! make turning up on Wednesday morning adviseable, as there really is so much to do and see. I could ramble on about the great dance acts, the trash city and all the other brilliant things in Glastonbury 2008, but instead, all I will say is the minute tickets go on sale next year, get registering, because even though the 2008 Glastonbury only just sold out, 2009 will sell out in Minutes.

It almost seems silly to review Glastonbury because it's so wonderful. Yes, it is indeed so…read morewonderful this review seems obvious! And yes, it can get wildly muddy; yes, the toilets will make you die a little inside; yes, you can find/be/do anything you desire there if you try hard enough. If you're questioning wanting to go to Glastonbury, please stop and just go. It's so different to every other festival, big or small, and so incredible. Please don't miss the sauna in the tipi village, the hidden bars and clubs scattered throughout the festival grounds, and in particular, the Shangri La area is life changing. Spend a few evenings there (particularly when the crowds aren't about) and you'll see!

Montacute House is a 16th century mansion in Somerset there is a very large collection of portraits…read morefrom the National Portrait Gallery collection on display in the house. There is also large collections of furniture and tapestries. The grounds are beautiful with a large formal garden to wabder around and after that it is time for afternoon tea and cake! The cafe is up to the usual NT high standards. there is a free car park on site.

If portraiture is your thing then a visit to Montacute is a must! This Elizabethan house…read moreincorporates a collection from the National Portrait Gallery from the Tudor and Elizabethan period. There is also an amazing collection of tapestries, funature and textiles (including samplers) from the period. There are formal gardens and longer signposted routes around the grounds. It's worth climbing the hill to see the site of the old Norman Castle which now sites an 18th Century look-out. The licenced restaurant is very good and represents incredible value. For those who prefer picnics there is a special area. Owned by the National Trust you could couple this with a visit to Lytes Cary or Barrington House.

This is better than The Tacchi Morris, and they often do very good productions, and employ better…read morestaff. i would recommend going here. it is next to the Somerset Cricket Ground.

I went to this museum when I was younger, and was extremely unimpressed by the planks of wood that…read morewere soon to be cricket bats. The Somerset Cricket Museum is next to Somerset County Cricket Ground. It is close to town and is there is a large car park. Basically when inside you will see wood, old cricket bats and new cricket bats that you can purchase. If you are interested in the history of cricket bats then this is for you and I would recommend it, although if you do not like cricket then you will be very bored, and you should not waste your time and money. All together I thought there was better things I could be doing.

A must-see. Redeveloped in 2012. An absolute gem for all cricket lovers.read more

Great little museum. If you've never been and you live in Bridgwater then SHAME ON YOU! :-P Even if…read moreit's just to pay your due's to Admiral Blake.

I really like this place, a must stop if your visiting the area. Great cider with free tastings…read morelocated in shop. Museum was full of old agricultural artifacts and there is also a cafe on site.

The museum is not worth the tour, it is just a nice free addition to the main attraction. Which is…read morethe shop with its free tasting of their amazing cider and local specialities. It is fabolous! Well worth a trip!