Visit Somerset

Somerset offers endless opportunities for great days out, weekend breaks and longer holidays

Discover Mendip

Discover what Mendip has to offer

Discover Sedgemoor

Stunning places to visit in Sedgemoor

Discover Somerset West and Taunton

Discover some of the finest landscapes and impressive attractions

Discover South Somerset

Exploring activities and attractions in South Somerset

Tourism development and promoting Somerset

Promoting Somerset as a great place to visit and stay

Mendip Tourism Strategy

Developing sustainable tourism in the Mendip area

Tourism business support

Somerset Council has a dedicated department to help with tourism focused business enquiries

Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

The limestone Mendip Hills with the lakes of the Chew Valley is a stunning landscape of steep slopes and undulating plateau

Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

The Quantock Hills are an area of wilderness and tranquillity

Parks in Taunton

Find information on the parks in Taunton, where they are located and what facilities they have

Somerset Nurseries

Services that Taunton Deane Nurseries provide

Diseases affecting trees

Includes information on Ash Dieback Disease and Acute Oak Decline

Habitat and wildlife benefits of long grass

Working to support wildlife in public areas

Meadow creation pilots

Building wildflower meadows to create new habitats for wildlife

Footpaths

Information on footpath standards and grades

Outdoors in Somerset

Find places to visit and events in Somerset - from stunning beaches, green spaces, woodlands and lakes

Play equipment

Guidance on what to consider when planning your play area and how to report damage, accidents or problems with play equipment

Play areas in the former Mendip district

Free entry play areas in the former Mendip district

Community Matters – additional services available in town and parish councils

Helping to maintain your town or village with our Parish Ranger scheme

Parks and open spaces services

How we maintain our parks and open spaces, deal with lost property and report any damages.

Wildlife and biodiversity

Somerset has some outstanding wildlife areas

Planning for open space in South Somerset

Our needs assessments and strategies to help provide playing pitches and leisure facilities for residents of South Somerset

The Somerset Wood

A partnership to commemorate the county's fallen in World War One

Parks and play areas

Parks and play areas are ideal places to get a bit of fresh air and exercise in your town or village

Report an unauthorised encampment

Guidance on unauthorised encampments on council land

Guidance for private landowners on unauthorised encampment

Information on what to do if an unauthorised encampment is set up on your land without your permission

Football and sports pitches

Football and sports pitches available for hire in Somerset

Help for sports clubs and voluntary organisations

Providing support for sporting opportunities in South Somerset

Sports and leisure facilities

Gyms, leisure centres, swimming pools, tennis courts and more available across Somerset

Bill Whistlecroft Athletics Arena Track Pass

Our Track Pass gives you unlimited access for casual training

Community centres and village halls

List of village halls available to be hired out

Find community centres and village halls for hire

List of village halls available to be hired out

Passport to Leisure

Helping those on low incomes access to leisure activities at a discounted rate

Sports and leisure facilities

Gyms, leisure centres, swimming pools, tennis courts and more available across Somerset

Bridgwater Town Hall

Information about Bridgwater Town Hall

Local halls for hire

A variety of village halls that can be hired out for functions

Allotments

Details about allotment gardens and contact information you may need in order to apply for one

Public Toilets

Information on public toilets and their location, opening times, baby changing and disabled facilities

Garage plots to lease in Sedgemoor

We manage a number of garage plots in Sedgemoor

LGBTQ+ Support

Information on LGBTQ+ support organisations working across Somerset

Somerset Intelligence Network

Facts and figures about Somerset and home of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA)

Assets of Community Value Register

List of assets added to the ‘Assets of Community Value’ register for Somerset

Assets of community value

Guidance on nominating local land buildings as an asset of community value

Community right to challenge

The right to express an interest to deliver services on behalf of the Council

South West Heritage Trust

The Trust provides heritage services for Somerset and Devon

A Brief History of Marine Cove

Learn about the history and restoration of Marine Cove

Somerset Rural Life Museum

Explore rural life from the 1800s onwards and discover more about the county’s heritage

Archaeology and Built Heritage

Protecting and enhancing our historic environment in Somerset

Archives and records

Discover history from the 8th century to present day

Brick and Tile Museum

The museum is dedicated to the local industry of brick and tile making

Somerset Heritage Centre

Explore the rich history of Somerset by accessing our collections

Museum of Somerset

Discover 400 million years of history

South Somerset Heritage Collection

South Somerset Heritage Collection is a fascinating historical collection of objects and images

Project and Small Grants Awarded 2021-22

Project and Small Grants Awarded in 2021 to 2022

Village Hall Grants Awarded 2022-23

Village Hall Grants awarded in 2022

Grants Programme 2022/23

Information about the Grants Programme for the financial year of 2022 to 2023

Project and small grants awarded in Sedgemoor 2022-23

Project and Small Grants awarded in the financial year of 2022 to 2023

Community Funding Sources

Information about funding sources and grants available to community groups in Somerset

Community Chest Fund

Helping community groups recover from the effects of COVID-19

Shape Mendip Lottery

Shape Mendip Lottery raises funds for good causes that benefit the Mendip community

Somerset West Lottery

The lottery offers good causes registered with the lottery the opportunity to raise income for their organisation

Children and Youth Initiative Fund

Supporting projects that improve the lives of people aged 0 to 25 years old living in the Somerset West and Taunton area

Grants awarded

Information on the grants we have awarded

Local Choices and Community Resource

Opportunities for communities to be empowered through community self-help, volunteering and local solutions

Community litter picks

How to organise a litter pick to keep Somerset tidy

Somerset volunteers

Volunteering opportunities, information and advice, and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise support in Somerset.

Somerset Armed Forces Covenant Partnership

A partnership between councils, colleges, health services, charities, the military and reservists

Volunteering

Information about becoming a volunteer

Sedgemoor Carnival Events

Dates, times and information about Sedgemoor carnivals and firework displays

Markets

This page describes all the market locations available in Somerset.

Events held in Marine Cove Park

List of events held in Marine Cove Park

Guide to organising community events

Things to know about before planning a street party or event such as road closures, venue, insurance and more

Glastonbury Festival

The largest greenfield music and performing arts festival in the world

Event safety

Guidance for event organisers on things to consider when planning an event

Booking events and permits

If you wish to hold an event or activity in a park or open space, you need to apply for permission to do so.

Events and things to do in West Somerset and Taunton

Tourist information and events in Somerset

Safety Advisory Group (SAG)

Information and guidance on how to hold an event safely

Visitor information for Bridgwater Fair

Visitor information for Bridgwater’s St Matthews Field Fair and markets

The Cornhill Indoor Market, Bridgwater

Visiting information for the Cornhill Indoor Market, Bridgwater