Holiday Parks in Somerset

BritStays currently lists 13 holiday parks in Somerset. They range from small farm lodge sites sleeping four to larger parks with pools, bars and evening entertainment. The facility data is patchy, because owners don't always list everything, but it gives you a useful starting point for choosing the right base.

Coast or countryside: picking your area

The parks fall into two broad groups. On the coastal side, Burnham-on-Sea has the most listings of any town, with two parks: Lakeside Holiday Park and Sandy Meadows, both sleeping eight. Further along you'll find Riverside Holiday Village at Bleadon, near Weston-super-Mare, and Doniford Bay Holiday Park at Watchet. If you want a traditional seaside-style park holiday, start your search with these.

For a quieter rural break, look inland. Firtree Farm Lodges near Yeovil, Larkrise Farm Lodges at Charlton Adam near Somerton and Henfields Country Retreat at Cannington are all smaller units sleeping four. Exmoor Gate Lodges at Waterrow, near Wiveliscombe, sleeps nine. Towards the east of the county, Bath Mill Lodge Retreat at Newton Saint Loe and Luckington Burrows near Frome suit you if you'd like easy access to Bath.

Which parks suit which trip

Families will get the most from parks with on-site facilities:

• Doniford Bay Holiday Park lists a swimming pool, evening entertainment and a bar, and sleeps eight. It's the most clearly family-orientated option in the set.
• Only two parks list a playground, so if that matters to you, check the individual listing rather than assuming one is there.
• Center Parcs Longleat Forest is listed under Bath. Its sleeping capacity isn't given, so check unit sizes directly when you book.

Couples have plenty of choice among the smaller lodges sleeping four. If you're after something more indulgent, Fairwood Lakes Holiday Park near Westbury lists a hot tub, spa and cafe. Bath Mill Lodge Retreat offers a gym, bar and restaurant, which is handy if you'd rather not cook every night.

Larger groups should look at the eight-sleepers in Burnham-on-Sea and Bleadon, or Exmoor Gate Lodges, which sleeps nine.

Dog owners should note that none of the published facility data mentions pets. That doesn't mean dogs aren't welcome, but you'll need to confirm the policy, and any extra charge, with each park before booking.

Getting there and getting around

Six of the 13 parks list EV charging nearby. These include Lakeside Holiday Park, Sandy Meadows, Rookery Manor Lodges at Edingworth and Luckington Burrows. That makes Somerset a reasonable choice if you drive an electric car, though it's worth checking how close the charger actually is.

If you're travelling without a car, your options narrow. Only two parks list being near a train station and two near a bus stop. Sandy Meadows is one of those near a bus stop. Only two parks list parking and two list WiFi. Those low numbers almost certainly reflect incomplete listings rather than a lack of facilities, but ask if either is essential to you.

What to do once you're there

Somerset's big landmarks are worth building a day around:

• Cheddar Gorge, for dramatic scenery and walking
• Glastonbury Tor, a classic climb with wide views
• Exmoor National Park, for open moorland and longer walks

For history, there's Dyrham Park and the Priest's House (both National Trust), or stately homes such as Iford Manor. If you're staying around Bath, the Museum of Bath Architecture makes a good rainy-day option. Near Minehead there's the Dulverton Heritage Centre, and families based around Weston-super-Mare might add Webbington Farm to the list.

When to book

With only 13 parks listed, choice is limited, and the larger units are the first to go. There are just a handful of eight-sleepers and one nine-sleeper. Some practical pointers:

• Book as early as you can for school holidays, especially if you need a big unit or a park with a pool, like Doniford Bay Holiday Park.
• If you have flexibility, midweek and term-time breaks usually give you a wider pick of lodges.
• Before paying, confirm the facilities that matter most to you, such as WiFi, parking, dog policy and on-site food. The listings may not tell the full story.
• If you're relying on public transport, filter for the few parks near a station or bus stop first, then plan the rest of your trip around them.