Cottages in Somerset

What's on offer

There are 387 cottages listed on BritStays across Somerset, and they're spread across the county. Minehead has the most with 50, followed by Bridgwater with 36. Taunton and The Quantocks and Bath have 27 each, Cheddar and Chard 23 each, Weston Super Mare 22 and Tiverton 21. You can stay by the sea, in a city, or somewhere quieter in farmland and hills.

The example stays show the range. Many are small, with plenty sleeping two or four, but there are also properties for larger groups. The Stables in Cheddar sleeps 10 and Dronefield Lodge in Somerton sleeps 11. Many have characterful names that hint at a former working use, such as The Spud Store and The Cider Shed in Taunton and The Quantocks, or The Coach House in Dulverton.

Coast or countryside?

If you want the seaside, Minehead and Weston Super Mare are the obvious places to start. In Minehead, Seashells sleeps two and suits a couple. Seagate Cottage sleeps four, which works for a small family. Both are listed as near a bus stop, near a train station and with EV charging nearby. In Weston Super Mare, Apple Cottage also sleeps four.

For countryside, look at Taunton and The Quantocks. Here, The Mill House sleeps four, while The Spud Store and The Cider Shed each sleep two and suit couples. Dulverton has The Coach House for six and The Barn by The Lake for five. Wells has Holly Farm Holiday Cottage - The Granary, which sleeps six. Wattles in Tiverton sleeps five.

If you'd prefer a city base, Bramble Cottage in Bath sleeps six. It's a good choice if you want museums and architecture on your doorstep.

Families, groups and dog owners

Families of four to six have the widest choice, from Seagate Cottage to Bramble Cottage and The Granary. For multi-generational trips or groups of friends, larger cottages like The Stables and Dronefield Lodge are much rarer. Expect to book these well ahead.

Be careful with facility filters. In our data, only 2 Somerset cottages are tagged pet friendly, 2 with a hot tub and just 1 with a playground. Only 5 list parking and 3 list WiFi. These numbers almost certainly reflect gaps in listing details rather than reality. Still, don't assume anything. If you're bringing a dog, need a parking space or rely on WiFi for work, check directly with the owner before you book.

Getting there and getting around

Somerset cottages are reasonably well set up if you're not relying on petrol. 127 are listed with EV charging nearby, which is roughly a third of the total. 60 are near a bus stop and 46 near a train station. If you'd like to leave the car at home, the Minehead examples above are a sensible place to start.

Things to do once you're there

Somerset has plenty to fill a week:

• Exmoor: the national park is the draw for walkers. Dulverton Heritage Centre is a useful rainy-day stop.
• Cheddar Gorge: a must-see landmark, and an easy outing if you're staying at The Stables.
• Glastonbury Tor: a classic climb with wide views, worth combining with a stay in Wells or Somerton.
• Historic houses: Priest's House and Dyrham Park (both National Trust), plus Iford Manor, Pixton Park and Sutton Court.
• Museums and farms: the Museum of Bath Architecture suits a city stay, while Webbington Farm is an option for a Weston Super Mare base.

When to book

The honest answer depends on the size of your group and the dates you're tied to.

• Groups of eight or more: book as early as you can, because there are far fewer large cottages than small ones.
• School holidays: if you're tied to these dates, book early too.
• Couples who can travel midweek or out of season: you'll usually have more flexibility, especially in areas with plenty of stock like Minehead, Bridgwater and Taunton and The Quantocks.
• Before you pay: whatever your dates, confirm pets, parking and WiFi with the owner, and check the sleeping arrangements against your group.