A Taste of Somerset, The Mendip Hills & Cider Tasting

Rolling hills, bubbling cider and charming villages can only mean one thing…the lovely South West county of Somerset! From our base in the nostalgic resort of Weston-super-Mare, we soak up the best of the region with a magical journey through the Mendip Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, stopping off in olde-worlde Wells, Street and Cheddar. We also spend time in the county town of Taunton and visit the award-winning, family-run Sheppy's Cider Farm, where our guided tour takes in everything from the fruit orchard to a tasting of this deliciously refreshing drink - cheers!What's Included?
- Return coach travel- 4 nights at the York Hotel, Weston-super-Mare (JG2+ rating) with dinner & breakfast- Porterage- Tea & coffee on arrival at the hotel- Entertainment some evenings- Excursions to Mendip Villages (Wells, Street & Cheddar), Sheppy's Cider Farm & Taunton- Guided tour and tasting at Sheppy's Cider Farm Optional excursion to Bath (£14pp)

Weston-super-Mare
Enjoy a visit to the wonderful seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare, with its long stretch of beach and traditional seaside attractions. Whatever your age, it has something for everyone!See more

Included Excursions
Mendip Villages (Wells, Street & Cheddar) (full day)We enjoy a tour of some of the most picturesque villages in Somerset, where our first stop is Wells, located at the foot of the Mendip Hills. England's smallest city boasts a Also of interest are Vicars' Close, claimed to be the oldest complete medieval street in Europemagnificent cathedral and unique moated Bishop's Palace, a medieval palace which has been home to the Bishops of Bath and Wells for 800 years, while the eclectic mix of buildings and narrow streets adds to the atmosphere here. Next is Street, the largest village in Somerset, popular for its lovely views of Glastonbury Tor and the Mendips and renowned as the birthplace of Clarks shoes. On the site of the old factory lies Clarks Village, the UK's first factory outlet and the perfect place to grab a bargain! Lastly, we visit Cheddar village, known as the origin of Cheddar cheese, which has been produced here since the 12th century. The village offers many tea rooms, gift shops and, of course, the Cheddar Cheese factory!Sheppy's Cider Farm & Taunton (full day)Today we make our way to the family-run Sheppy's Cider Farm, one of the world's oldest independent cider makers. Sheppy's has been lovingly making award-winning craft ciders for over 200 years and the whole process happens on the 370-acre site, from growing to bottling. We go behind the scenes on our guided tour and also enjoy a delicious cider tasting here.We continue to the county town of Somerset, Taunton, for some free time. Highlights include the historic architecture of Georgian townhouses and Gothic churches, the range of boutique shops and the ancient Taunton Castle, which now houses the Museum of Somerset.

Optional Excursion
Bath - £14pp (full day)Our optional excursion takes us to the beautiful city of Bath. The city has remained faithful to its Regency roots, with an abundance of elegant terraces, circuses and squares in a picturesque valley setting. The magnificent Royal Crescent is a must-see and the central square is home not only to Bath Abbey, but also the ancient Roman Baths. The city has an excellent selection of shops; especially along the Pulteney Bridge, one of only four bridges in the world to feature shops across its full span on both sides.The York Hotel, Weston super Mare (JG2+ rating)
The York Hotel is situated in the seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare. Located opposite Weston pier with views across the bay and Victorian promenade, the hotel offers comfortable en-suite rooms, a bar and restaurant.