Ideas For Great Days Out From Glastonbury With Kids
If you are staying in Glastonbury with kids and done exploring what Glastonbury has to offer, you may be looking further afield to fill an entertainment programme. This article provides a collection of ideas for things to do with kids – all within a 40 minute drive of Glastonbury.
- Greenbank Pool (6 minutes – 2 miles) – outdoor swimming pool – suitable for all ages – Heated to 30’C 86’F, Greenbank has a 30 metre X 12 metre main pool, a children’s pool and a splash area with a slide and fountains, large lawns and a snack shop. Great place for a picnic.
A: Wilfrid Road, STREET, BA16 0EU
More information here
- RSPB Ham Wall (12 minutes by car – 5.4 miles) – nature reserve – outdoors – suitable for all ages – Ham Wall is a 265-hectare wetland teeming with wildlife – from rare species like water voles and otters to magnificent birds like bitterns and kingfishers. Enjoy stunning views across the marshes to Glastonbury Tor and make some time to follow secluded paths through the mystical landscape.
A: RSPB Ham Wall, Ashcott Road, Meare, GLASTONBURY, BA6 9SX
More information here
- Wells Sport and Fitness (15 minutes – 6.1 miles) – indoor swimming pool – suitable for all ages – Wells Leisure Centre has a 25 metre swimming pool and a dedicated family interactive pool with lots of fun water play features to add to the experience for the little ones.
A: Charter Way, WELLS, BA5 2FB
More information here
- Burcott Mill (15 minutes – 5.6 miles) – working watermill – indoors – suitable for all ages – The origins of Burcott Mill date back over 1000 years to a recording in the Domesday Book (1086). Today, it is one of the few remaining examples of a working watermill operating in the UK. Back in 1900, there were over 10,000 water and windmills in Britain, whilst today fewer than 50 fully working water powered flour mills remain. Summer mill tours are available and there is an outside wooden play area.
A: Burcott Mill, Wookey Road, Burcott, WELLS, BA5 1NJ
More information here
- The Bishop’s Palace (18 minutes – 6.1 miles) – historic building with gardens – indoors and outdoors – suitable for all ages – The Bishop’s Palace and accompanying Bishops House is adjacent to Wells Cathedral and has been the home of the Bishops of the Diocese of Bath and Wells for 800 years. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade I listed building.
A: The Bishop’s Palace, WELLS, BA5 2PD
More information here
- Shepton Mallet Lido (18 minutes – 9.4 miles) – outdoor swimming pool – suitable for all ages – Shepton Mallet Lido is tucked away just off a residential street in Shepton Mallet and is a fantastic place to take the kids for an outdoor swim during the summer months, with a toddler pool, a wonderful series of fountains and water jets to play in, plus a children’s play area on the grass.
A: Shaftgate Avenue, SHEPTON MALLET, BA4 5YA
More information here
- Wells Cathedral (19 minutes – 6.8 miles) – historic building – indoors – suitable for all ages – Built between 1176 and 1450 Wells Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral and seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells and has been called “unquestionably one of the most beautiful” and “most poetic” of English cathedrals. The green in front of the cathedral is a great place for a picnic.
A: Cathedral Green, WELLS, BA5 2UE
More information here
- Battle of Sedgemoor Visitor Centre (21 minutes – 11.4 miles) – museum – indoors – suitable for history buffs of all ages – Visitor centre dedicated to the Battle of Sedgemoor. The Monmouth Rebellion of the summer of 1685 was an attempt to seize the crown of England by James Scott, Duke of Monmouth, from his uncle the Catholic King James II. In what would be the final action of the rebellion, the Battle of Sedgemoor took place on the 6th July 1685 at Westonzoyland in Somerset. Leading a surprise night-time attack against the enemy encampment, Monmouth’s bold strategy was only discovered when a shot was fired from a passing Royalist patrol.
A: Church of St Mary the Virgin, Main Road, Westonzoyland, BRIDGWATER, TA7 0EB
More information here
- Wookey Hole Caves (22 minutes – 7.7 miles) – caves with multiple attractions – indoors and outdoors – suitable for all ages – With a tour of the beautiful caverns, plus over 20 family-friendly attractions, a visit to Wookey Hole Caves just keeps on giving! Your kids will have a magical time, as they come face to face with roaring dinosaurs, a life-size King Kong and even a witch.
A: Wookey Hole, WELLS, BA5 1BB
More information here
- Ashton Windmill (23 minutes – 11.2 miles) – historic building – outdoors – suitable for all ages – This unique 18th century flour mill stands on the “Isle of Wedmore”, a ridge giving commanding views of Cheddar Gorge, the Somerset Levels and Brent Knoll. A windmill is mentioned on this site as far back as 1317. Although it last worked in 1927, the mill has been carefully restored.
W3W: here
More information here
- Fleet Air Arm Museum (24 minutes – 11.7 miles) – museum – indoors – suitable for all ages – The Fleet Air Arm Museum is devoted to the flying arm of the Royal Navy, and holds many thousands of objects, ranging from complete aircraft, to photographs, individual medals, and documents, plus models of aircraft and Royal Navy ships.
A: Royal Naval Air Station, Yeovilton, YEOVIL, BA22 8HT
More information here
- East Somerset Railway (24 minutes – 12.8 miles) – heritage railway – indoors and outdoors – suitable for all ages – Take a relaxing ride on a steam train for approximately 40 minutes over a 5 mile mile round trip. You can also visit the engine shed, the museum, the signal box and the miniature railway and enjoy afternoon tea on the Mendip Belle coach.
A: West Cranmore, SHEPTON MALLET, BA4 4QP
More information here
- Middlemoor Waterpark (27 minutes – 12.9 miles) – waterpark – outdoors – suitable for ages 13+ – Water skiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing and karting facilities with expert tuition available.
A: The Causeway, Woolavington, BRIDGWATER, TA7 8DN
- Haynes International Motor Museum (27 minutes – 15.5 miles) – museum – indoors and outdoors – suitable for all ages – Established in 1985, the Haynes International Motor Museum is an Educational Charitable Trust with over 400 cars and motorcycles dating from 1886 to the present day and is the largest international motor museum in Britain.
A: Sparkford, YEOVIL, BA22 7LH
More information here
- Montacute TV Radio Toy Museum (29 minutes – 17.3 miles) – museum – indoors – suitable for all ages – Like a Tardis, Montacute TV Radio Toy Museum displays what is probably the largest collection of toys, books, annuals and games related to TV and radio programmes. Also home to over 500 radios, from vintage wirelesses to colourful novelty transistors, radiogrammes and televisions.
A: 1 South Street, Montacute, TA15 6XD
More information here
- Castle Cary & District Museum (29 minutes – 15.4 miles) – museum – indoors – suitable for history buffs of all ages – Located within the historic Market House, a distinctive mid-Victorian building in the centre of Castle Cary. Home to a large collection of domestic and agricultural implements, archaeological and historical information and artefacts. Displays include the geology section show that this area of Somerset was once under the sea.
A: First Floor, The Market House, Market Place, CASTLE CARY, BA7 7AH
More information here
- Montacute House (30 minutes – 17.3 miles) – historic building with gardens – indoors and outdoors – suitable for all ages – Montacute House was built at the end of the 16th century and is considered to be one of the most beautiful Elizabethan houses in England. A free guided tour gives kids an excellent chance to learn about Tudor life.
A: Montacute, TA15 6XP
More information here
- Ham Hill Country Park (30 minutes – 16.9 miles) – country park – outdoors – suitable for all ages – 390 acre country park with incredible views of the South Somerset Moors, Exmoor and the Mendip Hills, Ham Hill centred on a huge Iron Age hill fort.
W3W: here
More information here and here
- The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company (32 minutes – 13.8 miles) – cheese factory – indoors – suitable for cheese lovers of all ages – See the only Cheddar cheese made in Cheddar being made in Cheddar, taste free samples and take some cheese home.
A: The Cliffs, CHEDDAR, BS27 3QA
More information here
- Apex Leisure and Wildlife Park (34 minutes – 16.1 miles) – park – outdoors – suitable for all ages – Covering over 42 acres, Apex Leisure and Wildlife Park was once an area of clay digging where several pits were excavated and when these were later flooded, became lakes. Apex Leisure and Wildlife Park offers gentle walks, fishing, children’s play area, skate park, BMX biking, picnic spots and radio controlled boating and has free parking.
A: Marine Drive, BURNHAM-ON-SEA, TA8 1NQ
More information here
- Cheddar Caves and Gorge (35 minutes – 14.7 miles) – caves with multiple attractions – indoors and outdoors – suitable for all ages – Britain’s biggest gorge, from the stunning stalactite caverns to the dramatic cliffs rising over 450ft. This world-famous site is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which reveals many hidden secrets including fascinating stories of our prehistoric ancestors. If the kids have excess energy burn it off climbing the 274 steps up the side of the Gorge, then 48 more to the top of the Lookout Tower! For the really adventurous, caving and rock climbing activities are available.
A: CHEDDAR, BS27 3QF
More information here
- Mendips Raceway (35 minutes – 16.8 miles) – racing circuit – outdoors – suitable for all ages – Home to some of the most exciting stock car, banger and caravan racing in the UK.
A: Charterhouse, Blagdon, BRISTOL, BS40 7XU
More information here
- Burnham-on-Sea Beach (35 minutes – 16.4 miles) – beach – The nearest beach to Glastonbury is great for sand castle building, picnics, sand digging, and paddling when the tide is in. During the summer months lifeguards monitor the beach and there is an ice cream van. Sea wall for sitting and eating fish and chips
More information here
- Bridgwater Blake Museum (37 minutes – 15.1 miles) – museum – indoors – suitable for ages 0-12 – The Blake Museum is dedicated to the historic market town and port of Bridgwater, first mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086! The museum is housed in a 16th century building on a quiet backstreet in Bridgwater that is reputed to be the birthplace of Robert Blake, who was Cromwell’s General at Sea. It is free to visit, making it an inexpensive and interesting place to take the kids.
A: Blake Street, BRIDGWATER, TA6 3NB
More information here
- Mendip Activity Centre (38 minutes – 18.4 miles) – multiple activities – indoors and outdoors – suitable for ages 4+ – many different activities to try on a family day out including air rifle shooting, axe throwing, archery, bushcraft, canoeing, frisbee golf, kayaking, raft building, rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing.
A: Lyncombe Drive, Sandford, WINSCOMBE, BS25 5PQ
More information here
- Chew Valley Lake (38 minutes – 17.6 miles) – reservoir in area of outstanding beauty – outdoors – suitable for all ages – Within the Mendip Hills AONB Chew Valley Lake was constructed in the 1950s and provides water to over one million people and is internationally important for birds. As well as birdwatching, it is popular for fishing and sailing. There are two nature trails to explore: Grebe Trail and Bittern Trail, with picnic areas, toilets and refreshments including a tearoom and fish cafe.
W3W (car park): here
More information here and here
- Chew Valley Animal Park (38 minutes – 19 miles) – animal park – outdoors – suitable for animal lovers of all ages – Fully licensed zoo with a range of interesting animals to discover with rangers on site to answer your questions. Also offer keeper talks and animal interaction experiences. Includes a café or eat your own in the picnic area.
A: Chewhill Farm, Chew Hill, Chew Magna, BRISTOL, BS40 8SB
More Information here
Tip
If you do plan to visit any of these places, visit the Glastonbury Information Centre first to pick up some information about the place you are visiting and where applicable ask if they have any discount vouchers for entry. Also ask your accommodation provider who may have discount vouchers for your chosen attraction.
A full list of activities, attractions, parks and gardens to visit in Somerset can be found here
Have you visited an amazing place to take the kids near Glastonbury?
To book holiday accommodation in the Glastonbury area visit here